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Follow a pro as she guides parents from water play to the first swim lesson, to water safety, and finally, to the current fashion trends in aquanaut gear.

The desire to see, feel or hear water is universal. People from all walks of life seek its soothing yet refreshing nature. Water makes us want to play, frees the senses; it stimulates and excites us. To me, the presence of a pool or beach makes any trip feel like a vacation. Whatever your favorite water hole, here are some suggestions on how to have fun and play it safe with kids of every age.

6 Months to 2 Years: Water Play

Before plunging in, find out the water temperature. Most kids don't like cold water, especially below 79° F (recreational pools are heated to 82-86° F; lap pools to 78-82° F.) If you want your baby to learn how to swim, both of you should be relaxed in the water. Most infants are naturally buoyant; they need less physical support but more breath control than older children.

Begin by holding her loosely around the chest, just under the arms, so her face is just above the water. If your baby can control her own breathing without straining, let her legs dangle. When she's calm, sing, talk, and push and pull her through the water. Your baby will love whatever water play your imagination conjures up.

3 to 8 Years: First Swim Lesson

As an aquatics instructor, I don't recommend inflatable flotation devices for non-swimmers, i.e. arm swimmies or water wings. They can give children and supervising adults a false sense of security, deflate easily, and restrict an instinctive swimmer's natural movements.

Remember, you must remain with a child wearing any flotation device (including a life jacket, ice cube or foam block, inner tube-filled swim suit, Safe-T-Seal and others).

At first, these devices may float or push a child face down if they don't move their arms. Adults should take children's hands and show them how they can scoop handfuls of water to move forward. Then you can introduce familiar elements in the pool, such as favorite bath toys, to chase around. Encourage any kind of movement. Demonstrate how to blow bubbles and how to spit water out of the mouth.

Children beam with excitement once they experience a sense of independence in the water. Though I'm not yet a parent, that glow always fills me with the warmest feelings.