Parents can teach baby to swim from birth. Newborn babies have been immersed in the womb for nine months and therefore know no fear of the water. Newborn swimming lessons start in the bathtub. Here we introduce baby to water in a loving, relaxed and controlled environment. These bath time swimming lessons present the perfect opportunity for stimulation, early bonding and interaction with your baby.
Early water familiarisation will lead to baby becoming at home in the water and therefore more accepting of the conditioning process which we use to teach breath control on command. Teaching baby breath control on command is the most important learn to swim objective as this allows us to submerge baby underwater without trauma.
Good learn to swim programs integrate children’s growth and development into the swimming lesson. Common physical, social and emotional milestones for this age include; grips finger when palm stroked, recognises and responds to parents voice, turns head from side to side and moves arms and legs at the same time.
There are a number of skills that you need to understand and learn how to teach important elements of the learn to swim process, even if you are a parent.
Newborn Swimming Lesson Skills
- Introduction to the water,
- Keeping the child feeling safe at all times,
- Predefined Goals we want to achieve,
- Acclimatising baby,
- Conditioning baby,
- Shower time,
- Big Bath,
- After bath care.
- What practise you should be doing
Now take a look at this short video to give you an overview of what you need to Know!
Well done, that is the first step to being better prepared and equipped with the knowledge and skills to assist your little one through to becoming a confident and happy little swimmer.