Assalamualaikum and salam sejahtera,
Rena has starting attended her baby-swimming class since her 6th mths. Actually, I wished that Rena could freely do so, since I’m only could floating…:sob:sob: . RENA BOLEH!!
Hata Sports Plaza is our choice. Just 5mins by subway, from Kotakemukaihara sta. to Kanamecho sta. , plus 15mins walk. Fuhh… quite a distance to get there. At the beginning, Rena so nervous when she get into the pool. So do I. It’s been for awhile not soaking your body in. The baby-swimming class is held daily, start from 10:30 to 11:30. First 30mins is activity in group; leading by the instructor, having some stretching exercise and to get your baby used to the water. And the 2nd half time is free to play with your infant. I think Rena really having fun.
By the time your child is a toddler, she is beginning to have enough coordination to learn how to swim. There are a variety of specific activities that you can do with your toddler to help the process of teaching your toddler to swim. One of the very first things that many swim classes for toddlers teaches in to blow bubbles. To do this, have the child sit down in a shallow area of the pool. Tell them that you are going to use your mouth to make bubbles in the pool. Take a deep breath, and blow the bubbles. Ask your child if they can blow bubbles in the pool. This will help them get comfortable with having their face in the water. Another activity that you can use to teach your toddler to swim is to teach them how to kick. Here again, you will want to sit with them in a shallow area of the pool, or on the steps. Teach them to use their legs to kick, keeping their legs straight and their knees bent slightly. Next, it is time to help your toddler to go underwater. Instruct your toddler to breathe deeply, and then hold his breath. On the count of three, “bounce” him down under the water. Help him to wipe the water out of his eyes, rather than to rub it into his eyes. Toddlers can also learn to float on their backs. Have your child rest her head on your shoulder as a pillow. Support their body with your arm. After a while, you will be able to remove your arm, while still supporting their head. Then, they will be floating! In addition to the time you spend teaching your toddler to swim, many organizations offer swimming classes for toddlers.
General tips – making water fun
Use bath time to show him how fun being in the water can be. Gently splash water over his body or move him gently through the water on his back. Visit your public swimming pool off-peak, when it is likely to be quiet, as babies can get stressed in noisy, crowded situations. Ask another friend with a baby to come along too. In the pool, make sure you keep your baby’s face close to your own and maintain eye contact. It’s important for them to feel you are close by in an unusual situation. When you are both more confident, gradually move him further away from you, still looking into his eyes, and try swishing him around gently. Blow bubbles in the water. This helps to show babies what they should do with their mouths and breathing in the water, as they can’t inhale water if they are blowing out. If your baby is around six months old, and able to sit unaided, sit her on the side of the pool and sing Humpty Dumpty to her. As you sing ‘Had a great fall’ lift her down into the water with a gentle splash.
Researchers have documented that the stimulating effect of child-paced infant/toddler swimming lessons has the potential to increase intelligence, concentration, alertness, and perceptual abilities. Improvement in social, emotional and physical development has also been published. Of course, the manifestation of such inspired cognitive, personal and motor development takes time, patience and repetition. I have personally observed this phenomena and have confirmed this with other veteran instructors, especially in children who started lessons prior to12 months old, but it’s never too late to receive these unique and subtle benefits of infant-toddler swimming. These babies eventually become extremely peaceful and relaxed in the water. Water is a forgiving healer, its caressing and stimulating effect on children with special needs is most remarkable. Its buoyancy is like an invisible helping hand. Zero gravity allows for freedoms that do not exist on the dry land. Optimal learning conditions, combined with kindness and patience can even release a withdrawn or hurting child from their shell. In what other medium are you able to bond face to face, skin to skin and share the joy of learning together?
A special time, a special place for you and your child.
Early swim lessons set a positive foundation towards a lifetime of participation and enjoyment in a variety of water sports and aquatic venues on, in and under the water. Each class is an interactive recreational activity in a new and exciting liquid environment. “Go Pool” are often among the first words spoken by young “Diaper Dolphins”. Swimming imports great joy into the lives of infants and toddlers. It also fashions healthier and stronger individuals. This is often a child’s first social experience out of the home that involves their peers. They learn to relate and interact with each other and look forward to seeing their class mates. Caring and patient moms and dads of young children have an ideal opportunity to meet like minded people who share common interests.
For the right people, in the right situation, baby swimming can nurture a connectedness to family, community and to the outer world. Safety skills are a primary reason why many people initially enroll in lessons. But, as you now know there is much more to infant/toddler swimming than merely one aspect. However, with the acquisition of safety skills not only is early swimming life enhancing, it can be lifesaving. The younger a child can begin their swimming adventure the sooner they will be able to build a foundation for the eventual ability to perform age appropriate safety skills (never imposing techniques on a child against their will or with the use of force).
We must note that it is always the parents’ responsibility to ensure the safety of their children. Swimming safety skills and home pool safety will be discussed on following pages. (i.e.. supervision, barriers, pool safety fencing, CPR and child centered swimming lessons).
Many kids can swim before they can walk. As, their swimming progresses you will witness improved coordination, strength, endurance and lung capacity.The smooth and fluid exercise in the water results in healthier naps following class. Parents attending the evening classes have noted improved sleeping patterns throughout the night.
