Posted by Kristina Viviani on January 27, 2022, 7:45 am
Infant swim lessons provide your child with the opportunity to get acclimated to water. Endorphins are released every time water washes over their skin. Infant swim lessons will get them used to water coming down over their head, into their ears and over their eyes.
At home you can support this process by using a cup to pour water over your child’s head. Gently allow the water to flow over their ears and eyes. Keeping water from these areas will make it more difficult for your child to learn to swim because they will not be used to the sensation of water in their eyes and ears which is necessary for learning how to swim. Getting them acclimated early helps move swim lessons along and will help your baby become ready for submersion.
Submersions start slowly lasting only 3 seconds for no more than 6 submersions per lesson in the beginning. The submersions begin with the child being held and then there is a gradual release so your child learns to feel their buoyancy and balance in the water. As your child becomes more comfortable the submersions can be more frequent and last a few seconds longer. Submersions aren’t the only skill taught in swim lessons.
Your child will also learn the back float. Again, your child will need to feel comfortable with their ears in the water, so preparing them for this is vital to their success. Back floats start for short periods and babies are given distractions to help them hold the float longer. Infants can learn to back float independently and it’s best to start them young!
Infants are taught skills such as kicking and breath holding using songs and games. These songs are games not only teach them to swim, but teach them how to participate in a lesson learning new skills. The repetition provides comfort and confidence. After a few repetitions you will see your baby start to participate in the songs and games. This socialization with an instructor also helps your child learn to separate from you as a parent, which is healthy for their development.
Most of all, infant swim lessons should be given in a loving, patient environment where you and your child feel comfortable and confident in the water. Remember, your baby can sense your emotions, so if you are not comfortable in the water, this could instill fear in your child. If you are afraid of the water, it may be a good time to take swim lessons so your child can learn to swim seeing you confident in the water and confident in their ability to learn to swim.
