A trip to the pool promotes motor development and provides close interaction between child and parent.
Fact box
The text was created in collaboration with Swimming School of the Lifeguard class online. A private company that specializes in professional activities in water and has developed its own instructor training, which is continuously updated in relation to international standards.
Baby swimming is actually a slightly misleading name, as it is not really about swimming. Baby swimming is close contact with babies from six weeks up to two years and their parents in warm water pools, where the temperature does not fall below 32 degrees, and where there is a trained instructor as leader and guide.
Baby swimming is a wonderful experience for a small child and its parents. You are on the same level in the water, you focus on each other, and you can be absolutely sure that this is exactly where the child loves to have you. You can look at each other, chat and talk together, and the children are always in focus. Just as they love to be.
Like a fish under water For many, baby swimming equals the very underwater dive that babies are so famous for. There are many explanations and theories about the so-called diving reflex. Among other things, it is a common opinion that it is only in the first few months that one's baby can find out how to swim underwater all by himself. But it doesn't fit.
The latest research results show that the reflex disappears much later than previously thought. If it disappears at all. So it's never too late to go baby swimming and try sending your baby on a diving trip.
The diving reflex The diving reflex is a cunning device which is triggered in the throat/pharynx in the area above the vocal cords. The vast majority of children dive with their mouths and eyes open, and there is no need to worry.
When liquid goes down the throat, a signal goes up to the brain, telling it that the airway must now be protected, and then it is closed off. It can be compared to the dolphin's vent.
Swimming reflex But the child has several useful reflexes. When the child is below the surface of the water, the swimming reflex kicks in and influences the child to leap with swimming-like movements.
It is stimulated by the parents moving the child around in the pool, so that the child feels the water "slide" against the skin. Therefore, remember to move around. Don't stand on the same spot all the time.
Swallowing reflex When the child comes back to the surface after the dive, the swallowing reflex starts to swallow any residual water in the throat, in order to be able to breathe calmly again. Some children cough because a few drops of water may irritate the throat a little, but it passes quickly.
All this happens quickly and completely automatically, and the vast majority of children take diving very relaxed. When we want to dive, we give the child a signal, so that eventually they will learn to recognize the maneuver and have the opportunity to prepare before they dive underwater.
When they recognize the signal, the diving reflex disappears, and it is replaced with a conditioned reflex, i.e. an action the child controls. If the dive does not go so well, it is in most cases because the child needs a little more time to get used to the new surroundings and new impressions. Your instructors will help you with all that.
Being safe is the alpha and omega and at the same time the prerequisite for success. Otherwise, you can focus on other exercises for a while and later return to diving. You must not push yourself or the child. You risk losing the joy of swimming, and if it is the child you are pushing, then the child will lose confidence in you in the water in addition to the joy.
The aim of the dive is that it is not an isolated exercise in itself, but a natural part of being in water. Being able to swim freely and relaxer glide/swim through the water is important, some are born to it, and others have to learn it, but – everyone can learn it.
BENEFITS OF BABY SWIMMING Promotes motor development
In the water, the child is not wearing a large and heavy nappy, no clothes or surfaces that prevent them from moving fully. In the water, the child gets full freedom of movement, and it promotes the child's motor development and also sensory motor skills.
Something the child can benefit from throughout his life. Some health care providers simply claim that they can tell the difference between children who swim and those who don't.
Strengthens the heart and lungs
The pressure that the water exerts on our body affects the blood vessels and the heart works harder in a gentle way (just getting into the water increases your metabolism by six percent, good to know for those who want to lose weight).
The same applies to breathing. You have to use more effort to breathe in water because of the pressure, and this helps to strengthen the entire breathing apparatus.
There are many who have asthma who have found out and therefore swim regularly. The diving means that the child will retain its innate ability to dive.
Social stimulation
Baby swimming programs are usually designed so that the children get lots of social stimulation, interaction and contact with both parents and all the other children and parents in the group. Research from Germany also shows that baby swimming promotes independence and intellectual development.
Interaction
There is no other element that gives so many immediate reactions, and you become very good at reading your children. Today, even quite conservative doctors are beginning to see the benefits of this amazing form of stimulation and companionship with a young child.
Water habituation
The child becomes water habituated, which means that the child is safe around and in water and does not panic in unexpected situations.
Early swimmers
A consistent baby swimming course produces early swimmers. Much depends on how much fun you have together, but also on how you help and support your child, and whether you are brave enough to let the child try. There will be days when the little one is not as well positioned or completely across. Then you must adapt the class to more comfort and relaxation.
When do they learn to swim? It depends on the child's needs, the interaction between parents and child, and whether you swim with Lifeguard Classes consistently. From the age of two, the first ones start to swim crawl and back crawl.
5 steps to swimming success
It's no secret that there's not far from success to failure when you're dealing with small babies in a noisy, lit swimming pool. As a starting point, you must ensure that the child is rested and healthy when he arrives at the swimming pool and that the child is familiar with the feeling of getting water on his body and face. You can train this from home in the bathtub or shower.
5 simple steps for optimal swimming pleasure for the smallest.
- Do not start diving with the child until he feels completely safe in the wet element. It may well last many times.
- When both you and baby are safe, blow on the baby's head.
- Take the child under the water in a gliding motion.
- Let go of the child underwater and see how it holds its breath and swims to the surface on its own.
- Grab the baby and relax on the surface of the water again.
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