Why babies should learn how to swim

Beyond the late nights, the feeding breaks every hour, the nappy changes and poo explosions, often mum and dad just need some time to bond and socialise with bub, that’s where baby swimming lessons come in. Often people assume that baby swimming lessons are just a safety precaution, and while, yes, water safety is an important part of why children should learn to swim, for babies in particular there are a whole host of other more important reasons, including developmental, educational and social. Here are our 10 reasons children benefit from starting swimming at an earlier age.
1. Physical developmentBy taking part in baby swimming lessons, children are able to build up their core strength faster than babies who do not do swimming lessons. Doing activities in an aquatic environment means baby is using each and every one of their muscles to develop strength. And the earlier babies develop this core strength, the earlier they are able to walk, crawl and do other physical tasks.
2. Mental developmentThrough taking part in swimming lessons, babies are able to recognise the words and commands that are being said to them by their teacher or parent. They quickly become familiar with words and sentences which means they often learn how to speak earlier than other children.
3. Social skillsWe humans are social beings and the same goes for children. They are learning about the world around them through their experiences. They see everyone in their family as tribe members, and have to learn how to develop trust with people outside their intimate family circle. By taking baby swimming lessons, children learn how to interact with and trust people outside of their family unit, which means they become sociable and learn how to interact with different people.
4. Bonding with parentSwimming lessons are one of the most unique times that a parent can have one-on-one dedicated time with their baby in a fun and social environment. It is beneficial to both parent and baby and can be a calming and enjoyable activity for each.
5. Environmental stimulusBaby swimming lessons can stimulate the child’s senses about this new environment that surrounds them. They learn to understand different environments and that their senses operate differently in an aquatic environment.
6. Introducing routine to baby’s lifeRoutine is a very important part of a baby’s (and parents!) life. Babies eat, sleep and even cry based on a routine. Having a solid structure in place for bub can often mean a happy, well-rested and relaxed child.
7. Auditory and visual skillsThrough the recognition of the different commands, songs and demonstrations performed by the teacher and the parents, baby is quickly able to learn the meaning of these words and phrases further strengthening their level of communication and development.
8. Understanding aquatic environmentAs baby grows up they will have a better understand and familiarity with the water, which stops any sort of fear around aquatic environments in the future. Baby learns what different environments mean and how to adapt to particular situations.
9. Developing confidence in the waterThis is also an important safety measure. Many kids develop a fear of the water at a young age, but by enrolling children into swimming classes while they are young, we are able to normalise aquatic environments so there are no feelings of fear or anxiety attached to them.
10. Having fun!And, of course, we can’t forget that swimming lessons are a great way to have fun, for both parent and child. Babies love the songs and the interaction with mum or dad, while parents often love the opportunity to socialise with their baby in a nurturing environment. What other benefits have you come across from your child taking swimming lessons? Share your comments in the section below.