Learn to Swim Basics

Swimming and all its associated benefits should be enjoyed by everyone. You can start water familarisation from birth using bath and shower time to introduce elements of learn to swim. Even if you start a bit later the same principles apply and good programs will cater for children who start swimming at a latter stage.  What infants and children learn initially is not conventional swimming (strokes like freestyle or butterfly) but is about learning to get propulsion and correct body position in the water. Once this is established formal swimming structures like streamlining can be taught.

Benefits of teaching swimming

• Teaching children to swim early in life could save their lives.  It also helps them to recognise inherent dangers with swimming. 
• Swimming helps improve muscle development, cardio vascular systems, co-ordination and fine motor skills.
• Signs of improved cognitive development.
• Learning to swim builds confidence, independence and it is a good social activity.
• Teaching your child to swim is a great way to bond and build a strong relationship with your child.
• Swimming is great for long term health and fitness.  It works the entire body and it is a non impact activity.

 

When will they learn how to swim?

Learning to swim is an ongoing process and is a commitment for years, not weeks. Children develop and learn at different rates.  (To increase retention and speed of learning it is best to swim frequently).  Giving a timeline for progression is not practical. Instead you should think of learning to swim as developing skill sets that can be built upon once the individual child has mastered them.

 

Why baby swimming?

• Babies less than one year old accept the water more readily than older children.

• Fear of water is acquired as children grow older; the longer a child is kept away from water, the more likely the child will develop aquaphobia.

• Babies can exercise more muscles in the water, they are less restricted by gravity and their ability to sit or stand. This increased strength often manifests itself in early acquisition of physical skills like walking.

• Swimming improves babies cardiovascular fitness. Although babies are limited in how much they can improve their endurance, swimming does have a beneficial effect.

• Early mastery of water movements gives children a head start in learning basic swimming skills.

• Water helps improve co-ordination and balance by forcing babies to move bi-laterally to maintain their equilibrium.

• Warm water combined with gentle exercise relaxes and stimulates babies' appetites. They usually eat and sleep better on swimming days.

• Doctors often recommend swimming as the exercise of choice for asthmatics. For many asthmatics, exercise produces bronchial hyperactivity. Swimming stimulates less wheezing than other forms of exercise.  Possibly because the warm moist air around pools is less irritating to the lungs.

• Babies flourish in the focused attention their parents lavish on them during swimming lessons.

• As babies learn how to manoeuvre in the water on their own, independence and self-confidence blossoms.

• Swimming provides babies with lots of skin-to-skin contact with their parents that psychologists say may deepen the bond between parent and child.

• Learning to swim is not only a fun, healthy activity but a safety measure as well. (Every fortnight in Australia - three children under five years of age drown).

 

 

Water and Pool safety

Keeping your kids safe in and around water is of the greatest importance.  There are a number of things you can do to help keep your children

 

safe.  1.  You must always supervise your kids in, around and near water (an older sibling in most cases is not a suitable option).  2.  Maintain barriers between any bodies of water and your child.  3. Teach your kids to swim.  4.  Set and enforce rules for going swimming, and playing near water.  5. Educate your children about safe water practices ie. how to enter the water safely.  For more on water safety visit Royal Life Saving.

 

 

Be sensitive to your baby's crying

 

Crying is the way your baby communicates with you. There are many reasons why your baby cries, but being in the water is one of the least likely. If you get out of the pool every time your baby cries, the child will begin to associate being in the water with crying. Then, whenever you get in the pool your baby will be conditioned to respond by crying. If your baby does cry when you are in the water, instead of getting out, try to determine the cause of your baby's tears. The Crying Troubleshooter, below, will help you determine the reason for your baby's crying and how to stop it.

Crying Troubleshooters 

Cause	Symptoms	Solutions
Fatigue	Yawning, child rests head on your shoulder; reluctant to play	Hold infant close to you, spend rest of time walking around, talking, watching other babies, or go home. Reschedule lesson time.
Hunger	Sucking on fist; child chews on your shoulder	Light snack before lesson. No heavy meals before or during lesson.
Under stimulation / Boredom	Infant shows no interest in class activities	Give infant a toy; play silly games.
Over stimulation	Baby turns away from class, rejects play; refuses to learn new skills; seems overwhelmed	Allow child some quiet time. Slow pace so child can internalise skills already taught; step back away from the lesson structure for a few minutes
Noise	Sudden noise; high-pitched wavering voices in the pool area.	Use soft, low, steady voice; find a quiet space
Parental Anxiety	Frustrated, worried, distracted, tense parent teamed with child who has the same symptoms	Try to erase worried feelings; concentrate on having a pleasant time. Take slow deep breaths. Hold baby loosely at your hip; relax your jaw, smile, talk cheerfully.
Moro Reflex	Baby detects loss of balance or support and flings arms out to break the fall. The reflex is triggered by sudden changes to head position and/or loud noises.	Head support when on the back is essential for young babies. Provide lots of body contact and support, especially when lying back in water.

 

 

Understanding the ideal conditions for swimming lessons

Young children and infants are sensitive to their environment. One of the most important things for your child is an environment this is comfortable and conducive to learning to swim.

Key factors you should consider:

• What is the water temperature? Ideally 31.5 – 33 degrees Celsius.

• Is the atmosphere right? Remember your child's needs if they are crying or uncomfortable refer to the Crying Troubleshooter for advice.

• Minimise exposure to direct sunlight. If possible, swim in a covered pool or at times when you and your child are not exposed to direct sun for long periods.

• How deep should the pool be? Anywhere you can stand comfortably and feel secure with your child. Between tummy and chest high is a good guide (More specific information on pool settings can be found in the level guides).

• Is wind chill a factor? Try to avoid harsh winds and cold air. Along with warm water, warm fresh air helps make the swimming environment more comfortable for children.

• Does the water look clean?  Water quality can differ greatly, the best indication is how it looks. If you have doubts talk with the person that maintains the facility.