Question By Mrs Ashton, Huddersfield

Babies have a natural affinity with the water. They become totally liberated as water is a free environment for them. We all have an inborn “gag reflex” but it is generally strongest in babies up to 6 months old, this enables them to hold their breath underwater naturally and provides a gentle introduction to submersion. They also have primitive swimming stroke actions up to 6 months of age and can propel themselves through the water.

Swimbabes builds upon babies natural reflexes to enable your baby to be completely happy moving in and through the water.

Introducing babies to swimming aids and improves babies and children’s development – physical, intelligence, language, emotional and social.


Physical

Strength is built through muscle development from an active lifestyle swimming which can aid early walking. Co-ordination and associated motor skills are also improved through regular exercise. A weekly swim provides a good workout and improves the cardio-vascular system – heart & lungs

Intelligence
Weekly classes maintain development – using building blocks of development and progressive practices. Classes are structured to ensure babies are constantly & continuously stimulated.

Language
Language development can be also be improved via swimming. Babies are constantly interacting with their carer / mother throughout the sessions. The teacher also provides a verbal stimulus through teaching. Babies are also copying other babies & children.



Emotional
Water is a natural environment for a baby. Babies feel safe and secure within this environment. Weekly swimming is a very special time for a baby and mother and further develops the maternal bond. Many of our mums state that that their baby's sleeping & feeding can improve. Starting to swim early can avoid traumatic experiences that some children go through when learning to swim. It familiarises children with deep water and gives them the confidence to swim below the water level.



Social
During our lessons babies interact with adults and other babies & children. Mothers & carers also interact and socialise. These unique swimming sessions can develop a special relationship, which are looked forward to each week. Swimbabes lessons are FUN. Classes use lots of games and nursery rhymes. They perform and integral part of all the lessons and Swimbabes actively encourages learning through play.