Baby Swimming Lessons
Baby swimming lessons, commonly known as infant aquatics, is a holistic activity that promotes physical and emotional well-being, and in addition, has shown positive research results in promoting developments in numeracy and comprehension. Baby swimming lessons also provide a pathway for facilitating motor development, as well as overall sensory exposure in a productive and loving way.
Social emotional bonds are part of the learning journey as well, working towards building self-esteem and confidence. The element of touch and praises given freely during a swimming class promotes the sense of well-being and improved self-esteem, an important part of a baby’s growing years. Babies can be taught to submerge safely and to develop water confidence.
Neonatal Reflexes And Development
Babies are born with over 70 neonatal reflexes. This gives them the ability to react to stimulation via motor responses. As most neonatal reflexes weaken during the first 6 months, babies need proper guidance to master new patterns of voluntary movement through conditioning.
Swimming help babies in their development of balance, coordination, lung capacity and motor skills. Research shows early swimming also help babies in building self-esteem, confidence and independence. It is also helpful in literacy and numeracy development.
Our aquatic program is designed for babies from 6 to 24 months old. Babies will learn techniques such as entering the water safely, holding their breath when they go underwater, propel themselves to the side of the pool to exit safely.
Benefits Of Infant Aquatics
Swim classes help infants to develop their strength and coordination skills, which are important aspects in their stages of growth. Furthermore, it helps babies to improve their body balance through floatation exercises with the support of the water buoyancy. Swimming is generally considered a sport. Getting your baby to participate in aquatic activities early will help to strengthen their lungs and heart. Such activities has also shown to provide support towards brain development.
For infants that have appetite issues to tackle, swimming may be a good activity for them to participate in. As a good day exercise and play will help to use up the energy, this increases their desire for some food during their meal times. In additional, babies have shown to exhibit improvements in their sleep pattern. Parents can prepare their baby for swimming lessons by using bath time to get them used to the feeling of being immersed in the water. By doing so that they can are comfortable in the water during their first lesson in the pool.
How To Prepare Your Baby For Swim Classes
Bath Time
The moment your baby has his or her first bath, the relationship with water continues. Babies have spent months in the water of their mother’s womb and it is a natural environment for them. Newborn babies easily relaxes in the bath because it replicates the sensation of being in their mother’s womb. Whether the baby is held in a shallow bath or deep bath with perhaps a parent, the water should be a tool to relax and calm the baby. The bath is also an excellent opportunity to educate babies and toddlers in all aspects of swimming and can help reinforce the important trigger words and skills learned in lessons.
You can start the experience of cueing breath control in the bath by gently pouring water over the baby while repeating the cue words: “[Baby’s name]…1, 2, 3… Go” or “[Baby’s name]… Ready, Go“. It doesn’t really matter what the words are so long as they are consistent with the water going over the baby’s face. You can begin to gently pour water over your babies’ head and face from day one. In fact, it is better to begin this early on rather than until they are toddlers.
From Bath To Pool
There are several ways to transit your baby from the bath to the pool. The easiest way to introduce the pool to your baby will be enter the pool with either or both parents in the water together. Bringing along bath toys from their usual bath sessions can helps to alleviate any anxiety a baby may have. This helps tocreate a positive water-play experience. These positive reinforcements are crucial to future aquatic experiences. A few trips to the pool will be required from the parents in order to get them acclimatised to the pool.
Baby Swim Journey With Us
Babies and infants learn best when they are in a fun and engaging environment. This is also why infant aquatics conducted by Aquatics In Motion are designed to create a high energy learning environment. With uniquely crafted songs and specialised baby swimming toys, the lesson setting will help your baby become acquainted with being comfortable in the water, performing simple drills and water exercises.
Classes are conducted on a weekly basis as a good and consistent routine is what helps your babies and toddlers remember the skills taught in the lessons. By minimising disruptions, the weekly routine will help provide regular excercise for them and progression in their swimming journey. Progression stages are simplified to 3 milestone stages: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced.
Beginner
Demonstrate the ability to submerge underwater, holding their breaths
Advanced
Demonstrate water safety skills such as the swim-float-swim sequence
Intermediate
Demonstrate the ability to swim for a short distance, and floating on their backs with reduced assistance