North Port — Staff at the North Port Aquatic Center described a milestone program Thursday that teaches infants and toddlers the fundamentals of floating as a prelude to formal swim lessons.

A program presenter said the curriculum is intended for children ages 6 months to 4 years and focuses first on getting young children comfortable in the water and teaching them to roll onto their backs and float so they can breathe if they fall into the water.

"This program is targeted for those children ages 6 months to 4. And what we want them to do is we want them to get comfortable in the water. And if they accidentally fall in the water or find themselves in a trouble situation, they can roll over their back and float," the presenter said.

The presenter said the city was the first in the state to teach that milestone program when it launched locally. The Northport Rotary sponsored the program at the aquatic center and paid for a trainer to come from Nebraska, where the milestone curriculum originates. As children progress through the milestones, they move into the city’s regular learn‑to‑swim program.

At graduation, the presenter said, participants demonstrate the skill by jumping into the pool fully clothed, rolling onto their backs and signaling for help.

The presenter described the milestone program as an "awesome" bridge into the standard swim curriculum that aims to keep children safe "in, on, and around the water." No budget figures or enrollment caps were stated during the presentation.