Margie Herman

Hi, My name is Margie Herman. I am the owner of Tiny Bubbles, and I'm excited to be bringing the Infant Aquatics program to Valdosta, beginning in 2004.

Raised in Florida, I have always been around the water - lifeguarding, boating, and attending swim meets. I have a 20 year old son whom I taught to swim, but I was unaware of the skills infants are able to attain until I took a friend's 10 month old baby to survival swimming lessons. I was amazed to see babies and toddlers demonstrating swimming skills with such ease. I also witnessed older school aged children in lessons who had already developed a fear of water and negative ideas about learning to swim. I learned that this toddler "survival swimming" is in demand because drowning is the leading cause of accidental death in the under 4 age group, particularly in Florida and other southern states . While doing my homework, I found the Infant Aquatics website through the Internet. I traveled to Atlanta for intensive training with Nadyne Siegel-Brown and am proud to be able to offer this vital program to the community of Valdosta. I am looking forward to doing what I love, working with babies in the water, and, hopefully, teaching skills that might one day save a life.

I am newly married to Greg and am lucky to have a 16 year-old stepson. Prior to becoming an Infant Aquatic Survival instructor, I was a licensed dental assistant. I returned to school to earn my degree and will soon graduate from Valdosta Technical College in Accounting and Business Management. I am CPR and First Aid certified as well.

As a parent and instructor, I urge you to choose a program that will teach your child how to handle him/herself in the water before he/she is encouraged to play in it. The water is not a fun, safe place to play for a child who cannot swim. Your child deserves all the protection you can give. I would love to help you give your child a gift that will last a lifetime!