how baby swimming can aid your baby’s development and so much more…

BY AQUATOTS

There are so many baby activities to choose from in those early months, but few continue as long or provide as many long-term benefits as Baby Swimming, so let’s break it down….

Bilateral movements which use both sides of the body at the same time, like crawling, walking or swimming, help your baby’s brain to grow. These bilateral movements build neurons in the brain which boosts their development. When swimming the babies move their arms and their legs against the resistance of the water, thereby enjoying the developmental benefits from a very early age.

Tactile Stimulation – the babies receive a huge amount of tactile stimulation during the lessons, from the water resistance over their entire body to being held by their parent/carer.

When a child’s body is submerged in water, millions of nerve endings receive increased stimulation. This activity stimulates both sides of the brain building, developing and connecting nerves and thereby creating neural pathways.

Did you know?
Several studies have found that children who take swim lessons from infancy are not only advanced physically but also cognitively enhanced.

By the age of 5 these children can be as much as:
– 11 Months ahead in verbal skills
– 6 Months ahead in Maths
– 17 months ahead in story recall
– 20 months ahead in understanding directions.

Free Movement
In water, babies are able to move more freely and independently, expanding their range of movements much more easily than on land. This independence is achieved long before they can walk or crawl.

Muscle Development
Working and strengthening all of the muscles and ligaments together helps babies and toddlers become physically stronger. This contributes to timely crawling and walking, often earlier than non-swimming babies.

Heart and Lungs
In addition to building muscles in their arms, legs and necks, Aquatots swimming helps to strengthen these two major organs and improve fitness.

Improved Co-ordination and Balance
Horizontal and bouncing movements in the water helps to stimulate the vestibular system in the inner ear which, in turn, helps improve balance and co-ordination. Studies have shown that babies that swim have better balance and co-ordination and overall motor skills.

Did you know?
The activity of baby and child swimming is a fantastic multi-sensory experience each week, strengthening the body and aiding physical development. For those with disabilities, not only are they able to enjoy the wonderful sensation the water gives them, but it is an opportunity to achieve an element of freedom and exercise that may not be possible out of the water.

Introducing babies to water safety and lifesaving skills from a very young age gives parents peace of mind.

Teaching babies, toddlers and children how to behave safely in and around water, significantly reducing the potential dangers.

Aquatots gives children water confidence and teaches them lifesaving skills that they can use should they find themselves in an emergency situation.

Bonding
One of the most critical aspects of child development is human interaction & bonding with parents and carers. Aquatots lessons foster this interaction, creating a sense of trust and togetherness that is unrivalled by any other baby activity or class.

Life can be busy but spending time in the warm water with your little one in an Aquatots class is a great opportunity for you and baby to have each other’s undivided attention. The close skin to skin contact provides comfort to babies, helping to relax them and giving them a sense of security.

Baby swimming improves confidence
Not just water confidence but self-confidence. The joy and excitement of weekly achievements and constant praise during the lesson helps to build self-esteem.

Socialisation
The lessons are a great opportunity for babies to interact. They learn to share space and toys, spend time in a group and learning social cues.

Did you know?
Many of our swimmers who begin in level 1 Ducklings remain friends with their classmates throughout the programme, into the Child levels until they are 7 or 8 years.

Exercise
The natural resistance of water offers parents a gentle form of exercise whilst moving around the pool with their little ones.

Wellbeing
In warm water, the body experiences both psychological and mental changes. As our circulation improves, we begin to think more clearly and de stress. The feeling of weightlessness that the warm water provides can also help ease aching tired muscles.

Bonding
Skin on Skin contact with baby is well known for its contribution to early bonding and being in the water together in close contact extends this wonderful experience past feeding time.

Reassurance
Teaching both Parent and Child how to be safer around water provides that added reassurance for not only swimming sessions but bath time, holidays and even water fun in the garden.

Socialising
The opportunity to form relationships with other like-minded parents and continuing the Aquatots journey together through the years

Happy Baby makes a Happy Parent
Studies have shown that attending baby swimming lessons can improve sleep and eating patterns. The benefits of that for the parents and carers is priceless 😊

Visit our website to choose the pool or course that suits you best, then reach out to our booking team to handle the rest! Simply apply Discount Code of BUSY25 at checkout to enjoy 25% off and FREE Underwater Photos with our Level 1 Courses (ideal for babies aged 10 weeks to 18 months).