Island Sprout, LLC of swimsprout NSB

07/12/2025

Swim season has been busy this summer and my students have been working so hard! I haven’t posted some pics in a bit! Sharing some sweet smiles of so many safe fish and mermaids! I’m so proud of them!!!

07/04/2025

🎆 4th of July Water Safety Tips 🇺🇸

Before the fireworks begin, make sure water safety is part of your holiday plans:

✅ Assign a Water Watcher — no phones, no distractions
✅ Keep little ones within arm’s reach
✅ Use Coast Guard–approved life jackets
✅ Secure access to pools and open water
✅ Learn CPR — it can save a life

Let’s keep this Independence Day safe, smart, and splash-free from danger! 💙💦

05/23/2025

💔 Heartbreaking Praying for this sweet family!

05/01/2025

The single most common question we get when discussing the dangers of using flotation with young ones all the time in pools is, “ Well, what device will be safe for my child to use in the pool then?”

The answer is none. No matter what new device comes along and promises to save our kids, we have to stop reaching for easy solutions to the problem of drowning. The easy solutions are short cuts and there are no effective short cuts when it comes to keeping kids safer around water.

Flotation devices will all teach the same thing when used in pools. They will all teach them the vertical, drowning position in the water and they will all create a false reality that the child knows how to swim when they really don’t. That will make it more likely that your child will try to go back to water if they find a chance to do it without their device on, when you don’t know they are doing it. They simply believe they can swim. They don’t see that the device-any device-is what keeps them floating. They believe they are doing it themselves.

If you want your kids to not believe this, you will have to do the hard thing. You will have to help them understand what their own body can and cannot do in the water, so that they develop a healthy respect for it. They have to experience it without attached flotation.

You will need to teach them ways to survive if they find themselves in the water without you. They need to know how to reorient their own body from a fall into the water and to then get into a float on their back. They need to know where the exits to the pool are, how to get to them and how to use them to get out of the water.

If they can’t swim yet, they need you, in the water with them, helping them learn to navigate it.

You do not need to try the next new device to come on the market.

Your child doesn’t need a device.

Your child needs to learn skills in the water.

04/18/2025

The first few months of my 2025 swim season have flown by fast!! I am blessed to work with so many amazing families every week. My students bring smiles to me every day. Thank you!

04/03/2025

03/25/2025

Trigger warning: photo of a child who died from drowning.

“But isn’t letting your baby cry in the water traumatizing to them? “

“I won’t get survival swim lessons for my child because I can’t watch my baby cry.”

The reality of this is that babies are going to cry. It’s how they communicate. They do it when they are mad, sad, not sure what you want them to do, hungry, when they have soiled themselves and yes, when they are scared too.

Toddlers have separation anxiety as a normal phase of development and will scream and cry if you leave them with anyone, regardless of if that person is in water or not.

Just because your baby may cry during (usually only the initial few sessions of) survival swim lessons (they would cry during any lessons), it does not mean that they are being traumatized. It means that they are being a normal, baby human.

Reputable survival swim instructors know how to teach your children without traumatizing them. They are trained not only in teaching water survival techniques but also in psychology of learning and child development. They know the stages and phases and what kids can and can’t do at specific ages. They know how to teach each age and stage appropriately.

Trust them.

Take it from a momma who knows what real trauma is and wishes she could hear her child cry just one more time….

Drowning is the most likely reason a child under 5 in the United States will die. You wanna talk trauma? THAT is trauma.

Get your children skilled in the water.

01/21/2025

This doesn't happen often in Florida! ❄️❄️❄️💙💙💙🐟🐟🐟

Never thought we’d be sharing a photo from our instructors pool deck!
NW FL swimsprout

01/14/2025

Happy New Year Swim families! Emails are being sent out today to all my 2024 clients for spring refreshers and their siblings! Then I will send an email out to my waiting list. I can't wait to see so many of you this year at spring refreshers (keep your kiddos skills 💯) and looking forward to meeting new families too!!! Hugs, Ms. Amy

01/14/2025

Sharing from Watch Me Swim and Water Smart Tots Foundation
Drowning is preventable ... we can do better!

“💔The 2024 drowning statistics from the Florida Department of Children and Families reveal an unprecedented and deeply troubling reality. As someone who has dedicated nearly 25 years to drowning prevention advocacy, I am heartbroken to see the highest number of childhood drownings on record. This devastating milestone emphasizes the urgency of our mission.

Drowning is preventable. It will take every single one of us, working together, to drive meaningful change and ensure no family has to endure such a tragedy. Let’s unite for water safety and commit to saving lives.

-Kari Bahour
President of Water Smart Tots Foundation
Founder and CEO of Watch Me Swim - Survival Swimming & Beyond”

12/11/2024

That's a wrap for Swim season 2024! What a great year meeting so many new families and seeing all my refresher student's and their families! I worked really hard this year, and I was able to teach over 140 kiddos, life-saving water skills!!! I am beyond grateful to all my wonderful swim families! Thank you for making water safety top priority. Your kiddos mean the world to me!! I will start my new season in February 2025 and look forward to seeing you soon! Until then, enjoy your families and have a wonderful Christmas 🎄 season, and Happy New Year! Hugs, Ms. Amy

09/25/2024

Watching the storm and will send email tonight for Thursday's lessons!

The National Weather Service has upgraded our area to a Tropical Storm Warning. This means we can expect rain bands and increasing winds later today, with gusts up to 60 mph. Here’s what you need to know:

🔹 Winds: Sustained below tropical storm strength
🔹 Rainfall: 2-4 inches expected
🔹 Waves: 3-4 feet with minimal storm surge

Sandbags are available until 1 p.m. today at Volusia County Branch Jail, 1300 Red John Drive, Daytona Beach. Public Works is ready with flood mitigation equipment.

Closures:
- Beach driving & restrooms closed tomorrow
- Inlet parks may close if conditions worsen
- Votran services may be suspended
- All after-school activities canceled; schools & district offices closed tomorrow

The public may call the Volusia County Citizens Information Center at 866-345-0345 until 6 p.m. today or between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. tomorrow. Stay informed: download the Volusia Emergency Management app, follow us on social media, and visit www.volusia.org for the latest updates. Stay safe!