What Are Baby Swimming Lessons?
If you're a new parent, you may have heard about baby swimming lessons and wondered what they're all about. In this blog post, we'll explore what baby swimming lessons are, how they work, and the benefits they provide for babies and parents alike.
What Are Baby Swimming Lessons?
Simply put, these lessons are designed to introduce babies to the water in a safe and comfortable environment, and gradually teach them important skills that will help them become confident and capable swimmers. They are typically led by experienced instructors who specialize in teaching young children how to swim. Baby swimming lessons are a fun and engaging way to help your little one develop their physical and cognitive abilities, all while having a splash-tastic time!
What will you learn in infant swimming lessons?
Submerging and Reflex
One of the first skills taught in baby swimming lessons is submersion. This involves gently and briefly submerging the baby's face and body in the water, and then lifting them up to the surface. This helps babies develop their diving reflex, which is an automatic response that causes them to hold their breath and close their airways when they're submerged in water. This reflex is an important survival skill that can help to prevent drowning.
Cognitive Environment
Baby swimming lessons also provide a unique cognitive environment for babies. In the water, babies experience a different sensory environment, which can help stimulate their cognitive development. For example, the water provides resistance, which can help strengthen their muscles and improve their coordination. Additionally, being in the water can provide a calming and relaxing environment for babies, which can promote better sleep and reduce stress.
Breath Control
One of the essential skills taught in baby swimming lessons is breath control. Babies will learn to inhale, hold their breath, and recover after an underwater submersion. These skills are crucial for babies to become confident and independent in the water and help prevent accidental inhalation of water. Teaching your baby breath control is essential, not only for swimming but also for their safety and preparedness around water.
Muscular Training and Development
Baby swimming lessons are also a great way to promote muscular training and development. In the water, babies are supported by the buoyancy of the water, which reduces the impact of gravity on their bodies. This allows them to move more freely and easily, which can help promote the development of their muscles and joints.
Fun Fact: A study by Griffith University in Australia suggested that children who swim have advances in physical and mental development when compared to their peers who don’t swim. Specifically, the 3- to 5-year-olds who swam were ahead in verbal skills, math skills, literacy skills, story recall, and understanding directions (Boyle, 2019).
Conclusion
The overall goal of baby swim lessons is to help your little one become comfortable and confident in the water and to teach them important swimming skills that will help them develop a love for the water as they grow into early childhood.
By providing a safe and supportive environment, experienced swim instructors can help babies develop their swimming abilities, improve their cognitive development, and promote their overall health and well-being. Baby swimming lessons are a fun and engaging way to introduce your baby to the water and give them a head start on a lifelong love of swimming. If you're interested in giving your baby the gift of swimming, consider signing up for baby swimming lessons today!
Source: Boyle, C. (2019, February 5). 8 Benefits of Infant Swim Time. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/parenting/infant-swimming
Meet Kaylee Kennedy
I'm Kaylee Kennedy, the founder of watermellow.
Our renowned swimming program nurtures and develops each baby's unique abilities.
Inspired by my experience as a young mom teaching my little one to swim, I'm passionate about swimming and its benefits for early childhood development.
Join us at watermellow to help your baby grow an amazing relationship with the water in a safe and supportive environment, creating lasting memories together.
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