MELBOURNE, Fla. — A Melbourne swim teacher is grateful for a new state law designed to make swim lessons available to all Florida children.

Brooke Bothun is a certified swimming instructor and her mission is to teach kids how to be safe in the water.

Each child’s experience in and around the water is different.

“It’s important to be mindful of that instruction, meeting that family for the first time, questions about their water story, their prior experience, positive and negative,” Bothun said.

According to the Florida Department of Children and Families, drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 4.

But professional swim instruction reduces the risk of drowning by 88%, according to the National Drowning Prevention Alliance. 

Key parts of Bothun’s instruction include teaching the child to ask to go in the water and having a water watcher, an adult or lifeguard there.

There’s a clear balance of letting the child do most of the work during the lessons.

“It’s really just learning the swimmer, what they’re capable of, the patience that you have and positive reinforcement, and showing this is a life skill that’s so important, and through the silly tears you still work through it,” she said.

Hayley Coniglio and her husband decided to start lessons for their 2-year-old daughter Shiloh because she’s already interested in the water.

And so far, she’s impressed with the lessons.

“I think she’s doing great. She’s picking up a lot of new skills. Brooke’s doing amazing with her, and I’m definitely feeling more comfortable around the water,” Hayley Coniglio said.

While swim lessons aren’t cheap, Gov. Ron DeSantis just signed State Bill 544 that provides free swim lessons for kids 4 and under with families making less than 200% of the federal poverty level.

The state is beginning with $500,000 to launch the program, which goes into effect on July 1.

According to WaterSmartFL, the Department of Health is required to develop and publish rules establishing the process for determining applicant eligibility, vendor eligibility, and voucher amounts. 

Bothun said it can be tough for parents letting go.

But gaining that comfort by getting them in the pool early will be reassuring, especially in a place like Florida.

“It’s a building block. It’s getting water on their face, on their hair, and that life skill of learning how to swim,” she said.

Bothun is now involved in a first ever partnership with Palm Bay Fire Rescue, advocating to promote water safety awareness.