Why ... expose babies to in-water activities?

 

• Love & respect of water ... babies learn to ‘love being in the water’ so enjoy learning to swim as result becoming confident and respectful of water. The objective is that they will be less likely to panic if the unexpected should occur.
• Enhance, strengthen & develop ... coordination, balance. general health, fitness, muscle tone, gross and fine motor skills.
  

• Build ... social skills and confidence through interaction with other children and positive encouragement from parents.
• Foundation ... a study by Griffith University attributes advanced math and language skills to attending swimming lessons ... click here to read more. 
• Acceptance of ‘boundaries’... babies learn to listen and follow instructions; in the process they appreciate guidelines set by others.
• Parent & Baby bond ... through participation in their child’s lesson, parents develop a trusting relationship with their baby while also gaining the knowledge of how to be safe in and around water.
  

  

Why... at The Swim Centre?

 

• Structured learning & awards ... our in-water activities for babies are structured and follow a curriculum based around a set of awards called the ‘Starfish’ series. This series is designed to support the introduction of infants to aquatic activities ... click here to read more.
• Water temperature & quality ... classes are held in beautifully warm 34^oC water so that both parent and child are comfortable throughout the lesson. The water is controlled, tested and treated by an auto-purification system every three minutes to ensure low levels of chlorine are maintained. Our water is also independently blind-tested monthly; we are proud to say that we have had 35+ years of perfect water quality ... click here to view our latest Water Quality certificate.
• Facilities ... our warm, clean and bright facilities are designed specifically for young children ... our changing rooms are also equipped with baby benches and changing pads for comfort.
• Small & intimate ... the perfect environment for young children to learn to swim. Some swim schools are proud of being BIG ... but big means lots of classes side by side and lots of noise. We say children learn best in small pools with warm water ... they’re quieter and not so intimidating that’s why The Swim Centre specialises in teaching young children.
• Teacher qualification, nature & experience ... our swimming teachers are qualified, experienced and passionate about providing young children the skills to learn to swim to survive.
• Water safety  ... we teach skills that may one day save their life ... for example holding and returning to the side; breath control; floatation and transition between front and back positions.
• Stick around after lessons ... enjoy an espresso coffee, hot chocolate or tea and a catch up while you feed them after your lesson.

 

When ... to expose babies to in-water activities?

 

The simple answer is the earlier the better. Babies are born with many natural reflexes, in particular the breathing reflex (called the laryngeal reflex and commonly known as the 'gag reflex'), and the amphibian reflex, which provide a fantastic foundation of basic in-water skills. Unfortunately these natural reflexes begin to diminish after 6 months old and that is why The Swim Centre's baby development programme, Buoyant babies, starts at 3 months old.

 

What ... to bring?
 

• ‘Little Swimmers’ disposable nappies should be worn to every class.
• Additionally we require that you wear a pair of togs, with a snug fit around the legs, over the top to keep the nappy in place and avoid any ‘number 2’ accidents in the pool.
• A towel ... big and absorbent with a hood is best.
• A warm bottle (if you are bottle feeding) or snack (if your baby has started solids) for after class ... swimming makes babies hungry.