Goldfish Swim School successfully wrapped its 'Dream Big, Little Fish' campaign that encourages kids everywhere to believe in and achieve their dreams. The campaign ran parallel to the Olympic Games - where hard work leads to dreams coming true - as hundreds of families from across the country entered the contest. Eight lucky dreamers received special prizes to help make their dreams a reality, including a grand prize winner, announced via a motivational message from World Champion & Olympic Swimmer Ryan Murphy. Goldfish Swim School is encouraging families to continue dreaming big on World Dream Day, September 25, providing best practices and tools for parents to help their children make BIG waves in life.

Goldfish Swim School curated custom Dream Big, Little Fish gifts for seven inspiring winners, which were announced each week, building up to the announcement of one lucky grand prize winner. Those winning dreams included: fishing, becoming a swim instructor, an artist, a professional singer, a farmer, a marine veterinarian and a meteorologist. Dream boxes including fishing gear, art supplies, karaoke machines, gardening tools, books, lab kits and other goodies were shipped to help motivate the children through structured play. Each of the winners also received a special motivational message from a mentor living out those dreams today.

Nine-year-old Grand Rapids resident, Lexi, was the grand prize winner, receiving an entire year of free swim lessons at Goldfish Swim School to help her achieve her goal of learning how to do the backstroke. She was also invited to join a Jump Start Clinic next summer to hone her backstroke skills, and received a custom Dream Big prize pack that included autographed and competition-worn Ryan Murphy gear, in addition to the video announcement from World Champion Backstroke Swimmer Ryan Murphy – who recently returned from Tokyo with three medals for his backstroke performance - to congratulate and motivate her to continue dreaming big, both in the pool and in life.

"Somewhere along the way, as we age, we get caught up in the day-to-day, and may even forget what it feels like to have a dream. A goal. A wish," shared Dr. Molly O'Shea of Birmingham Pediatrics + Wellness Center and official pediatrician of Goldfish Swim School. "Witnessing your child become enthralled with pursuing a dream – no matter how big or small – is a magical experience. What many families need to realize is that these dreams are the beginning stages of critical development in goal setting, learning and work ethic. As a pediatrician, I always like to prompt children to share their dreams, and encourage parents to make time to listen and support their children in reaching their full potential."

Families everywhere are invited to join Goldfish Swim School in celebrating World Dream Day this Saturday, September 25. The day serves as an important reminder that dreaming, wishing and hoping are critical steps in helping children grow into kind, healthy, holistic humans.

GOLDFISH SWIM SCHOOL, DR. MOLLY & OLYMPIC SWIMMER RYAN MURPHY'S TIPS TO HELP CHILDREN ACHIEVE THEIR DREAMS

• Encouraging your children to dream big: Bring enthusiasm to the table when kids are talking about their dreams. It's also important for children to have role models in their lives who they strive to be like. Whether that's you as the parent encouraging them or a professional athlete like World Champion Swimmer Ryan Murphy.
• How to set and achieve goals: Take something your child already loves and have them set a goal to do it better. Have them suggest how you can help them toward their goal. Most importantly, however, let your child set their own goals and watch them grow! We know it can be tempting as a parent to coach your child to a goal you think would be good, but it does have to be THEIR goal or dream for passion to exist.
• Ensure your children have perseverance: We all have times when we feel tired, overwhelmed or defeated - it's normal! Help your child explore the 'why' behind their desire to give up. By empathizing and then exploring it with them, you validate their feelings and then help them navigate perseverance in the face of difficulty.
• How to deal with failure: Parents have so many opportunities to influence the way their children perceive their accomplishments and setbacks. When parents focus on the outcome (good or bad), they set kids up for an all-or-none mentality about themselves. Instead, if parents can focus on the effort while still commenting on the outcome, it allows the child to see that effort matters.

While Goldfish Swim School teaches more than 150,000 children each week, the brand has evolved into so much more than a place for children to learn to swim. Each school becomes ingrained and involved in its community – helping children gain confidence, meet friends and make BIG waves in life. As the Goldfish Swim School continues to grow, it remains committed to going above and beyond to nurture a culture that provides a GOLDEN Experience!

"While it is and always will be our core mission to teach water safety, our team truly ends up playing a critical role in the whole development of children – in the pool and in life," said Chris McCuiston, CEO and co-founder of Goldfish Swim School. "Our teams are instructed to always be a voice of encouragement, helping children build their confidence and aspire for more – all while setting an example for young swimmers to look up to. Our 'Dream Big Little Fish' campaign helped our team make an even stronger, positive impact on children and their families – by supporting their biggest dreams!"

For more information on Goldfish Swim School, please visit https://www.goldfishswimschool.com/.

Founded by husband and wife team Chris and Jenny McCuiston, Goldfish Swim School provides swim lessons and water safety instruction to infants and children ages four months to 12 years. Classes are offered by specially trained instructors in a safe, child-friendly and fun environment using their research-based philosophy called The Science of SwimPlay®. Headquartered in Troy, Michigan, Goldfish Swim School was established in Birmingham, Michigan in 2006, and opened its first franchise location in 2009. Recently, the brand was recognized by Entrepreneur in its Franchise 500® ranking, Franchise Times' Fast & Serious List, and Inc. Magazine's Top 5000. Goldfish Swim School is currently in the process of expanding franchise opportunities throughout North America, with more than 120 schools open, and an additional 130+ in development in more than 30 states and Canada.