Baby Swim UK
BORN TO SWIM
FAQS
1. WHERE DOES BABY SWIM UK OPERATE?
Southampton & Romsey
2. HOW DO I BOOK?
Please follow this link to our booking system: https://bookwhen.com/babyswimuk
3. WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF EARLY YEARS SWIMMING?
Every child benefits from being in the water.
Not only does it improve whole development of mind and body, we believe swimming is a skill every child should learn.
Studies show that babies and young children (0-5 Years) that participate in swimming lessons are incredibly:
7 months ahead in their motor skill development
10 months ahead in cognitive development (reading, writing and numeracy skills)
15 months ahead in social and emotional development.
Being in the water with your child is a special and unique bonding experience; one to one with focused attention.
You will learn how to confidently support and guide your child, in a water and support them learning new skills.
Swimming is great exercise, and a great part of an active lifestyle.
Swimming develops stronger heart and lung muscles; improving cardio- respiratory system.
Improves sleep patterns & appetite.
Improved baby communication: reading non-verbal signs and signals.
Teaches relaxation.
Motor control, agility, co-ordination and balance development.
Social development, making friends and learning with others.
Improved water confidence, and respect for the environment.
Early water safety awareness and skills.
Early swimming development.
Source Griffith University:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmh1sOTo4Iw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Pu_ZPQFwP0&feature=youtu.be
4. MANAGING EXPECTATIONS
We want our babies, toddler and preschool swimmers to have a happy introduction to swimming.
Baby Swim UK works with parents and carers and their children, to ensure each child's swimming journey is individual and class elements tailored to their needs and likes.
In our baby and toddler classes you'll enjoy a magical one-to-one bonding time with your child. You'll gain confidence using safe holds and learn techniques for floating and moving your baby in the pool.
We introduce lots of activities to develop gross motor skills, fine motor skills, co-ordination and communication.
We teach babies and toddlers skills in line with their individual development.
In our preschool classes your child will gain confidence and increase their swimming skills with a teachers support in the water.
During your child's time in the class they will learn a comfortable routine and structure best to help young children feel happy, comfortable, confident and able to learn in an environment without their parent or carer.
We build the fundamentals of swimming; floating, rotation, propulsive movement and breath control. These are essential to learning to swim.
We then develop skills that lead to good front crawl and backstroke, as well as continuing to learn safety awareness and skills.
Learning should remain fun; we play as we learn... rather than having free time within lessons for playing.
With Baby Swim UK's great swim programme, experienced swimming teachers and fun classes we believe children can reach their full potential; becoming very confident and capable in their swimming ability and skills.
5. HOW DO I MAKE PAYMENT?
Payment can be made via BACS or Paypal using our booking system.
6. WHAT SHOULD I PACK FOR SWIMMING?
Essential
Swim nappy - We highly recommend getting one of our reusable swim nappy's fits 3 months to 3 years and helps save the environment.
Neoprene nappy cover. To best avoid any leakages into the pool - until fully toilet trained.
Adults Swimwear –No loose fitting swimwear and avoid bikini's as little ones tend to pull or hold on to the straps!
Towels, and Hooded robes – Keeping snug after swimming is important. We recommend bringing babies towel to poolside, as there is a short walk from poolside to changing areas after your lesson.
Babies under 6 months have a warmer suit or wrap for extra warmth (Baby Swim UK price: £20.00) or a fleece lined warmer suit (Baby Swim UK price £25.00).
Recommended
The warmer your baby/child is the water the better they will engage. We recommend warmer suits or wrap.
Warm clothes – Bring warm clothes and a hat to keep your baby snug after swimming.
Wet wipes and creams.
Goggles, some children enjoy using goggles from around 2 years. If it helps them enjoy being underwater we won't say no!
Goggles are helpful in our Preschool classes - We do encourage swimming time with and without goggles.
Optional
Dummy/ Teething toy - if needed
If you would like to order a warmer suit, wrap, reusable nappy or nappy cover - please contact us to ensure we have your size in stock for your first lesson. Please allow one week from order date.
7. DO I HAVE TO PUT MY BABY UNDERWATER?
No!...
We do teach and create opportunities for your baby/child to go under the water.
This only happens when both the parent and child feel comfortable. We listen and engage with the child ensuring they are communicating positive signals that they want to go underwater.
Best practice of the Swimming Teachers Association is not rely on reflexes and only use baby/child led practices.
8. HOW LONG ARE THE LESSONS?
All lessons are half an hour. 30 Minutes
9. POOL PARENTING - TOP TIPS
Enjoy and relax - Babies and young children can pick up on all your expressive language; facial, touch, body language etc. If your relaxed and enjoy the water, they will be too!
Tune in and be in the moment – When you enter the pool with your little one you are in a unique environment brilliant for creating a special bonding. Enjoy becoming more attuned with your child and let them lead you in their fun!
Exploration & Experience: It's important to allow time to try, feel, hear, watch, taste and listen. Experimenting and experiencing is how babies and young children learn new things! Part of learning to swim is allowing young children time to discover the world around them through exploratory activities and games.
10. WHY HAS MY CHILD STOPPED DOING OR ENJOYING SOMETHING THEY PREVIOUSLY DID?
If a child is not enjoying doing something they previously did, it is most commonly because they are learning a new skill or going through a physical development stage. Milestones!
Are they teething? Learning to crawl, stand or walk? and speech development can also affect our toddler's.
Learning something new (out of the water) can sometimes effect what happens in the water. The developing brain needs time to take in and process the new information or skill being learnt.
Once the brain has processed and decided how to use it; a child should regain the skills they previously did, and often progress in their swimming skills after a big milestone.
Being patient, working at your child's pace and following their lead on playing and participating in activities is the best way to support your child through these times. We use toys, discovery play, increase independence, exploration and changing perception to help our babies/children enjoy learning in the water.