When Emily “The Water Whisperer” Cohen explained why she requires 10-consecutive days of lessons, and I read more about her teaching on her website, I was convinced. My sons turned 4 and 6 at the end of the 2009 school year and I was determined: this was the year to make them water safe. I committed to the ten lessons and decided that we’d consider our first two weeks of summer as “swim camp.” Imagine my thrill when both boys swam ACROSS THE POOL on the first and second day respectively.
      The boys were not swimming at all, and came to the lessons at very different levels of comfort at being in the water or paddling about (with vests). Neither liked to get his face wet. And both are totally different personalities. Emily’s method of individual attention and sensitivity, coupled with a specific program and system that is proven to work, yielded excellent results for two very unique individuals. We had fun watching babies (I was impressed) and I was inspired to see much younger toddlers/kids learn to swim. But I was equally wowed and impressed to see my 4 and 6 year old thrive under the guidance of excellent instruction. They were pumped for the challenge of what they were learning. They were proud each day after class. They literally ran up the path to the pool, excited for each new lesson. It made my summer enormously easier.
      I was able to use some of the tools I observed in the class (and adapt some of the games they liked) throughout the summer. We don’t have a pool ourselves, so even with limited access, within a few more weeks, they were confident swimmers… they no longer asked me to go in, but jumped on their own, swam and played, while I watched from the side. In the past, I was always worried even being near a pool, and being invited to swim was not so much fun – I was nervous to bear the responsibility of the safety of two young boys (and hence why we tried vests the year before). I’d encourage everyone: skip the vest and learn to SWIM.

Take charge, take the time, and take your kids to “The Water Whisperer.”

-Stacey Attanasio-Gonsalves
Mother of boys who learned to swim at 4 and 6!

Hi Emily,

Thank you so much for your wisdom and guidance with Wylder. He is continuing to be a little fish! We also feel compelled to give a testimonial for your methods after our experience with him so it can help parents of other RELUCTANT water babies. 

We entered our 18 month old son in lessons at the Water Whisperer. Wylder is always around a pool and we wanted to get him water safe as quick as possible. Wylder screamed. That is pretty much what I remember of the first 10 days. He liked the toys outside of the pool and the slide. We would get him close to the pool and he would start screaming. He screamed from the moment he got in the water to the end of class. He showed very little improvement in the first week. We were concerned that continuing might traumatize him, instilling a fear of water that we thought would be difficult to overcome. It was so hard as a parent to feel at that moment that you are doing the best thing as your child is crying and trying to climb on top of your head to get out of the water. We were also concerned that he was disrupting other babies, creating fear and resistance. All the other babies in various lessons seemed to be enjoying the experience or at least many areas and songs during the program. Wylder just screamed and we felt so bad people had to listen to it.

After contacting Emily with our concerns and seeking her expert guidance, we finished the class and continued with private lessons. Thanks to her patience and words of encouragement, Wylder is now actually swimming! A few days into the next round of  lessons, it finally "clicked" as she promised it would. Our first no- tears lesson was so shocking but then they continued! He started to run to his lessons as soon as he got out of the car.  

He no longer has any fear of the water and swims frequently with his cousins who are much older 6 & 10. We were recently on vacation and were swimming in the hotel pool and you should have seen the shock on faces of people as they watched a toddler walk to the edge of the pool jump in go all the way under water and swim to us with a HUGE smile on his face! We are so grateful that we went through all the tears and did not give up!

-Cara Singleton & Jas Shelton

We are so thrilled with what Emily and her staff has done with our seven year-old daughter. Dorothy is on the autism spectrum and she has always been extremely anxious about swimming. In previous years, we tried other swim teachers, but they never made much progress because they would stop pushing Dorothy to go to the next level whenever she started to tantrum. Emily never backed off. Dorothy would not put her head under the water before, and now, 10 days later, swimming to the bottom of the pool to collect toy animals is her favorite part of the lesson. She is so proud of herself, and we are convinced that her experience at The Water Whisperer makes her more responsive for the rest of the day. If the The Water Whisperer can teach our daughter to swim, The Water Whisperer can teach anyone!

-Delia and Boyce Bugliari

I JUST USED THE WATER WHISPERER for my 3 year old and am extremely pleased with the results! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THE WATER WHISPERER! Sophie was VERY fearful of the water and Emily has her relaxed and swimming after the 10 lessons!

-Dayna Landry
Citymommy owner and founder

Dear Emily,
Thank you so much for a wonderfully fantastic swim class! Raia and I loved it and we continue to sing your songs everyday while practicing our 1-2-3 hmmmm.
     You truly have a gift for teaching and I am so happy we had the opportunity to experience your lessons. It was an inexplicable thrill to watch my little 8 month old swim to me underwater. Thank you!
    On a side note, I have a little confession. For many years, I taught private swim lessons, coached club swimming and swam competitively. But was smart enough to know that when it came to teaching my own baby, I needed to bring in an objective professional. I have to be honest I was a little worried I wouldn't be able to follow someone else's method, but your amazing songs and activities made learning the important skills incredibly fun. So much fun! But never compromising safety. From the first safe water entry, I knew we had signed up for the right class. With much gratitude,

-Kara and Raia

Thank you again for teaching Kyleigh today. It made such a HUGE difference for her. She was really comfortable with you. You were so sweet with her and made it fun and she SMILED today and made such progress! It was amazing! She looks forward to swimming with you again tomorrow! and the next day...Wow - what a day Kyleigh had. I always ask her what the best part of her day was and today she said swimming!!!!

-Heidi Cunningham

My 2 year old boy took lessons with The Water Whisperer and fell in love with the water. It was so much fun- singing, playing while learning to swim. By the end he was was so happy and confident in the water. After two rounds of private lessons he was swimming underwater the width of the pool. I didn't believe it could be so easy but at Emily's school it was. He is still just 2 and swims and dives with confidence. He is water safe and begs me for more swimming lessons all the time. I think thanks to The Water Whisperer I have a Michael Phelps in the making! Thank you for making it such a happy and amazing experience for both my baby and me.

-Lisa Ward

The Water Whisperer has been great for our 2yr old daughter. Before we started classes, Tilly, a true water baby, would dunk her head by herself and loved getting passed across the jacuzzi. After 2 weeks of private lessons, Tilly is now swimming across the width of the pool (with one hand helping her to catch a breath), grabbing toys at the bottom of the pool, doing the crab walk along the sides all by herself and jumping into the water (or rather, belly flopping into the water- she loves it.
       On the first day Emily tossed toys to the bottom of the pool and I said "she's not going to get those is she?" and Emily said, "oh yes she is" and at the count of 3, she dunked Tilly down head first and tilly did indeed pick up the toys. On the 4th and 5th day, she cried cried cried when she had to do this but by the end of the 5th lesson it all clicked and she wanted "more more more".
       Emily challenges her students but is also nurturing and entertaining. She has a specific routine that worked really well for Tilly and she incorporates a number of original songs into the mix to help sooth fears and distract kids that may be resisting. It is now part of our ritual to sing in the pool. We look forward to continuing the routines throughout the year so that she can eventually be water safe.

-Joanna Katz

Thank you Emily for helping my boys learn how to swim. They were very afraid of the water before you started working with them and after 10 lessons, they are excited to go in the water, get wet and love the pool. You and your team were patient with Ben and Josh when they did not want to swim and everyone’s perseverance paid off! It’s going to be a great summer. Best,

-Jen Levinson of Jen's List

Dear Emily,
We’d been through a roller coaster with the journey of learning to swim, trying over the past couple of years a few approaches – different swim schools and a private instructor not associated with a school. I’m happy to say that I finally decided to bite the bullet and drive over the hill to Emily Cohen, The Water Whisperer, with great results. It’s private lessons in Emily’s pool in Sherman Oaks, for 10 days straight except for weekends. Zachary just finished his first week, and he can swim! He is actually swimming 5-6 feet at a time without being held – this from my son who was always very stuck on being held by me in the pool. And, with Emily’s help, he’s diving under water to retrieve toys. We’re so excited, and it was so cool to see the proud look on Zachary’s face last night when we watched video of his swim lessons from the week.
      We have another week, and I’m so excited to see his progress. By the way, when we were there yesterday, we also saw Innovative Baby’s Erin Cloke’s kids, swimming for their last lesson, and it was amazing to see how well they were swimming.
      I really highly recommend The Water Whisperer http://www.thewaterwhisperer.com. By the way, there was no crying involved. Emily and the other instructors that I’ve met there are so nice, and they’re great with the kids. I’d tried Conrad Cooper a couple of years ago, and my son was still crying on the last (5th) day, and not swimming. It’s great that several families have had great results there, but I definitely don’t think his approach is right for everyone, and I much prefer the no cry method (that still gets kids swimming). I’m also not a fan of the once or twice a week approach that takes weeks on end to get kids swimming. It’s really worth driving to the valley.

-Linda Rosenberg

HI All!
      Many of you may remember awhile back I posted a story about my little boy, Thacher, and his near drowning in his Grandpa's pool. At the time there was an advertisment on City Mommy about the Water Whisperer, and I heard many mommies raving, so I decided to give it a try for both boys. I have a four year old (Orrin) who just turned four, and then Thacher is now two...just old enough for private lessons.
      Orrin loved going in the pool with his "floaty" but was completely unwilling to put his face in the water for any reason...and then there was Thacher - NO FEAR WHAT-SO-EVER and no ability to swim either! Very scary! At any rate, we began lessons with the Water Whisperer (which is quite a trek for us as we are in Westchester and classes are held in Sherman Oaks) and within three lessons, Orrin was swimming half way across the pool! Emily, the instructor, was gentle and kind, but very capable of getting him to try his best and really WANT to work hard for her. He is now diving to the bottom of the pool to retrieve plastic animals, swimming all the way across, jumping in and swimming across and making leaps and bounds of progress with each lesson. More-over he LOVES it and I am having so much fun watching him develop this skill and confidence in the water.
      Thacher was a whole other story...my brave little Thacher with no fear became clingy and unreasonable in the pool when lessons began. I was ready to throw in the towel and start his lessons when he was a bit older, but Emily felt she could work through it with him, and I am so happy we stuck with it. She was patient and encouraging, and she gave us little things to work on in the bathtub at night. Soon he became really excited about swim class, and he is now swimming half way across the pool and retrieving plastic animals from the bottom of the pool.
       Honestly, I really can't say enough about how amazed we are with her program, as well as her flexibility, patience, and kindness with our little ones. We are so proud of them and so thankful to City Mommy for the recommendation!

-Erin Cloke

Hi,
I want to make a shout out for Emily Cohen of the Water Whisperer. Today was our 5th day of swimming lessons and I am very impressed. My daughter can jump into the deep end and get toys from the bottom and my son (2.5 years) is almost swimming. A friend of mine also started swim classes for their daughter this Monday and she is swimming across the pool by herself. I am very happy with the results we have seen thus far and we are only half way through our series. Her web site is WWW.THEWATERWHISPERER.com. I just met her on Monday so this is not an advertisement, just a satisfied customer.

-Jillion Weisberg

Hello Friends,
      I have the most amazing swim teacher who I want to share with you. As you all know, I only refer if I really love someone. Her name is Emily and she owns The Water Whisperer. Emily teaches out of her home in Sherman Oaks. The pool is 90 degrees. The atmosphere is very relaxed and there is no pressure since the lessons are one-on-one. Emily has an extensive background in teaching and has two children of her own.
      Two weeks ago I brought Grace for a 10 day intensive class. She was afraid to put her head in the water. She refused to go in our pool without a floaty. Emily had Grace swimming in four days! I know that seems crazy...but true. She now not only swims, but does the breast stroke like she is training for the Junior Olympics! She also goes to the bottom of the 10ft deep end to get weighted toys. It is truly a sight to see!
      Luke, who was already swimming, can now calmly tread water, dive and also go to 10 ft. I have tried SO many private instructors and schools. NO ONE has been like Emily. She is kind but firm. My kids adore her so much we are continuing to go once a week because they love it that much.
      Now I need to add that many children I know can "swim" according to their parents. To me it looks like drowning. They are swallowing water and flailing in the water. My children are both calm, relaxed and confident thanks to Emily!
       Cannot say enough about Emily. She is a gem!

-Andrea Gargotta

Shout Out For Emily Cohen "The Water Whisperer"!!!!! I was determined to have my 5 year old swimming by the time we leave for Spring Break vacation in a couple of weeks. I had heard fabulous things about Emily who teaches in Sherman Oaks. My son had a little experience from last summer but was really afraid to leave the steps or the side of the pool without a floatie...even when I told him he was going to start lessons, he was definitely not excited...terrified would be the word.
      Emily is an amazing teacher. She has techniques I've never seen before and honest to God, my kid was swimming on his own his very first lesson. He had some trepidation first getting into the pool, but once he was in, that's all she wrote. He had his third lesson this afternoon and he's already learned to lift his head to breathe, he jumps in and swims to Emily and today he even crawled along the bottom of the pool and picked up toys before coming back up. He can't WAIT to go back for his next lesson tomorrow.
      Only three lessons in and my kids swims!!! By the tenth lesson I bet he'll be jumping in the deep end and doing the breast stroke!!! I'm so thrilled that I may have my older daughter (ten) do some advanced lessons with her since she learned on her own when she was three but never had any formal stroke training.
      She books up...so if you're interested contact her immediately so you can get your space in time for summer. www.thewaterwhisperer.com

-Wendei Spale

Sophia and John Edgar are grateful to the "Water Whisperer", Emily Cohen, for helping them fall in love with swimming!!!!!! Thanks Master Emily......

-Carolina Norris

Hi Emily,

We just wanted to take a moment to thank you for all you've done for our 7 year old daughter, Hannah. As you know, she is mildly autistic and was very skittish about putting her face in the water. We tried another swimming school the previous year, but without results. In fact, she dreaded going, so we stopped. A friend of ours highly recommended your school, so we signed up. After only a few lessons with your gentle and playful approach, her confidence boomed and she is now loving swimming under water! It is also evident that she is taking risks in other areas where she wouldn't before this experience. Bless you for making that possible.
All our best,

-Brenda & Jack

Our daughter took swim lessons with Emily last summer and her "gentle approach" worked beautifully. Initially. she was afraid of going under the water, but within a couple of days, our daughter was learning to swim with Emily and overcame her fear of the water. Thank you Emily for your wonderful approach!!

-Nancy Liss

Note to Jen Levinson of Jen's list:
Jen,
I just want to say "hello". I also wanted to thank you again for all of your work on your list. You help thousands of Mom's all the time. I have to share with you that I started my 23 month old in swimming lessons last week with The Water Whisperer and I am thrilled ! The method that she uses is great for children. I am in awe that my toddler can swim under water and jump in without fear after 3 lessons. I am so excited to tell all my friends about Emily "The Water Whisperer". Thank you for posting information about Emily. I am so proud and thankful that I know you. Grateful to you.

-Jewelz Zeitlin

Hi Emily,

Tate still talks about you every day and his swimming is getting better and better, I can't thank you enough.

-Jennifer Granville

Hi Emily,

This summer, my three year old took private swim lessons at The Water Whisperer swim school. We have a pool at home, so it was very important to me that my son learn how to swim. He wouldn't even get his face wet in the bathtub before these lessons. He cried for the first four lessons and begged me not to take him to the lesson each day. Emily told me this was normal and it would pass. This was comforting to me and helped me relax. Now my son begs me to take him back to Emily's for more lessons, and we swim at home every day. Emily is very positive and gives great encouragement to the children and to the parents.

-Crystal Terry

Hi Emily,

Thank you again for the wonderful lessons. Last year, when we borrowed our neighbor's pool, Aidan had no desire to "swim" and he just sat in the shallow end looking miserable. THIS year, he is jumping off the side and swimming to the edge! His confidence has skyrocketed, and he is now the last one out of the pool. Thank you thank you thank you!

-Suzy Conway

Hi Emily,

I just wanted to drop you a note to say.....thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!!  My 4 year old daughter Kaitlin was afraid of the water and would cry in anything but a wading pool.  When I first called you in desperation, you assured me that you would have Kaitlin swimming within 10 days.  May I say that you surpassed my expectations!  After 10 lessons, she is now swimming completely across the pool on her own while coming up for breath along the way.  She is also diving to the bottom of the pool and is now learning to float on her back and dive from the side of the pool.  I can't tell you what a relief this is to me and how much Kaitlin's self-confidence has grown.  I can't keep her out of the pool now.  Thanks again!

-Toi Bartone

Hi Emily!
I just had to complement you on the fantastic job you did today! Erin is transformed and has requested swim lessons with you every day! Who is this kid???!!!  Maybe we should look into the other classes you offer for her!
She is so excited to come back next week- we are both truly looking forward to it!
Thank you for helping her over come her "swim hurdle!"
Sincerely,

-Jodi Gorelick

Hi Emily,
"Gregg and I went off to Vegas for a few days so I missed Ari's last few lessons.  We went swimming with him yesterday and I have to tell you I was blown away.  Not only did he not cry, he had no fear and was thrilled to demonstrate how he can swim.  He was even jumping off the side and swimming to us (now we have to work on actually breathing in between the swimming). But from two weeks ago to today….. the progress was unbelievable. I am thrilled to give any recommendations – I have been bragging to my sister-in-law and she is so excited to start on Monday."
Best,

-Wendy Bass Keer

Dear Emily,
"Her two little friends came over to play, and first thing she told them was, 'I can swim!'  Then they went out into our little 36" deep pool, and she asked me for her goggles, and started practicing all on her own!  I was completely flabbergasted, because I thought for sure she would only "practice" during swim class.  Of course, she really couldn't get much more than one stroke across because it's so small and shallow, but she had her face in the water and was doing the "push to the tush" thing, and then she even retrieved two toys off the floor of the pool!
I am truly amazed.  Thank you so much!  I cannot believe how far she has come in five days, and especially after yesterday, when she didn't want to have anything more to do with swimming!  Completely different girl today."
You are incredible!

-Bianca Folkerts

Hi Emily,
"Thanks for giving Tate such a positive growth experience, I cannot believe you had him swimming in 5 lessons."
Best,

-Jennifer Wharton

"Emily's loving relationship with my child allowed him to trust her and he was fully comfortable in the water after only a few sessions. If you want to teach your child how to swim, or just want him/her to be more comfortable in the water, you must see Emily!"

-Sophia Khanashiro

Dear Emily,
"We are so happy we found you! After only four lessons, our little Ben (age 3) is enjoying the water and is beginning to swim on his own. Anna (age 7) is learning to dive and is touching the bottom of the pool at the deep end. I am especially impressed by the time you spent with Anna last week, teaching her how to twist, spin, and do somersaults in the deep end of the pool, and by your willingness to let the kids linger in the water if they want to play on their own a bit. Besides learning how to swim, our kids are learning to love being in water, which is something we did not expect from swim lessons."
Sincerely,

-Christine Kim
Studio City

Hi Emily,
"Just wanted to drop you a line to let you know how well Delaney is swimming. She is loving it....can't get enough. You did such a great job with her and she talks about you all the time. Thanks for all you did to make summer a lot more fun for Delaney."

-Shelley Klace

Emily-
"We are so excited about how well Bailey and Peyton are doing with their swimming. I can’t believe that we wasted so much time at the YMCA and were getting no results. You said you would get Bailey swimming in 2-3 lessons and you ended up doing it in 1. Peyton is still singing the paddle song and practices her kicks every night in the bathtub. Thank you. If we hadn’t gotten the kids to you our Hawaii vacation would have been a bust!"
THANK YOU!!

-Rachel Greenberg