These are the top 10 benefits of taking your baby to swimming classes
It’s National Baby Swimming Week!
If you are a new parent, it is worth considering introducing your baby to the world of swimming. It’s easy to presume that the swimming pool is for older children, but babies can also develop incredible skills from being in the water at an early age.
Water Babies are raising awareness of how incredible early years swimming can be, and that little ones can learn to become ‘swimvincible’ through understanding how to swim safely.
Whether it is supporting your baby's emotional development, finding their balance, working their little muscles, or simply enjoying some fun together, it’s more important than ever to give our children the opportunity to embrace swimming.
There are many reasons why you should consider baby swimming for you and your little one. To give you an idea of how amazing it could be for your child, here are the top 10 benefits of baby swimming:
1. Your little one will learn vital safety skills, including how to travel to the side of the pool, as well as holding on and getting out. These lessons could save their life in the future and prevent them from developing a fear of water.
2. Swimming strengthens their heart and lungs, as well as their arm, leg and neck muscles.
3. Your baby’s confidence will increase, as they experience the thrill of grasping a new skill or achieving something they have been working on.
4. Your child will develop aquatic skills, such as breathing techniques and strokes that will help them become an amazing swimmer.
5. All the movements your little one learns in the water will strengthen their brain connections and sharpen their mental skills. Research has found that children who swim in their early years become more skilled in solving maths problems, counting, language and following instructions.
6. Your child will develop balance, simply by bouncing and splashing in the water. Their vestibular system will be stimulated, which aids balance.
7. Activities such as chasing toys in the pool can improve their fine motor skills, with smaller movements in the wrists, hands, fingers, feet and toes.
8. You can grow your bond with your baby in the pool through lots of skin to skin and eye contact.
9. Warm water will relax your baby, while stimulating their appetite to develop healthier eating patterns. Swimming also promotes a good night’s sleep (which is great news for both of you!).
10. Swimming allows accessibility to all children, giving babies a place where everyone can flourish and have fun in a non-competitive environment.
If you are looking to introduce your baby to the pool, the Water Babies ‘Oceans of Imagination’ programme takes little ones on a magical adventure with the ‘Swimvincibles’ – playful superheroes who inspire water confidence and swimming skills.
Through exciting water quests, a fun reward system, and imaginative island explorations, children are encouraged to progress while developing a love for swimming. Families can track each stage of their child’s journey with the online portal and celebrate milestones together.
Water Babies is the ideal place to help your little one to learn a skill for life in a fun, imaginative, educational and safe environment.
Water Babies are available in swimming pools across Ireland, and you can click here to find your nearest lesson.