Australian summers are hot – so it’s important to ensure your little one is safe and confident around the water. And it’s never too early to start.
The Australian Swimming Coaches and Teachers Association suggest that kids can start learning to swim at four months old. And there's a whole splash of reasons why – from healthy to safety to plain old fun!
Here’s our top 10 reasons to teach your baby to swim.
1. Bond With Your Child
Swimming is the perfect chance for you to bond with your little one. It seems that as every day passes, we have less and less time to spend with our children. Spend a few undivided moments helping your child improve their skills in the water. Not only will it bring the two of you closer together, it will help keep you calm from the stresses that life brings.
2. Build Strong Muscles
As your little one learns to swim, they will begin using all their different muscle groups. The water is great for this! It helps reduce the pressure on muscles and joints and will support the body weight of your child. Then, as they activate their body, the muscles begin to strengthen and grow. They will soon then use these muscles for crawling and walking – and, in-time, running, jumping, and playing.
3. Improve Balance
Babies who swim have better balance – that’s what the studies show! After learning to swim, your child will have better reach and balance than their peers. And this can last for years and years to come. Improved balance will help them move and figure out how their arms and legs work.
4. Increase Spatial Awareness
The water is another world – so says marine aquanaut Dr Jon Copley. And he’s right! Entering the water is like entering a portal to another universe. As your child moves they learn how their body works, and how it interacts with the space around them. The water gives them gentle support, and they can move without the restrictions of solid ground.
5. Prevent Drowning
Keep your child safe in the water! Kids who take swimming lessons reduce their risk of drowning by 88%. As the American Academy of Paediatrics reports: drowning is the leading cause of death for children. Preparation is key! Swimming lessons will keep your baby safe when they take to the water.
6. Help A Healthy Metabolism
Learning to swim helps keep your little one healthy. Regular swimming can improve your child’s metabolism to break down food into energy. It's also good for their cardiovascular system –sending healthy nutrients through the body. Exercise helps regulate your child's appetite, and swimming can ease a rumbling tummy.
7. Get Better Sleep
Stop your child from having restless nights. Swimming will let your child use up all that unspent energy. Plus, the water will have a calming effect on your little loved one. Not only does this mean a happy full-night's sleep for bub, it means one for you too.
8. Improve Brain Power
Swimming is a complex process for both the brain and the body, as left and right side work together. By learning to swim, your little one will strengthen the bond in their brain's hemispheres. And as we all know: a good brain is key for learning. They'll see improvements in making sounds and recognising patterns. Plus, the benefits will carry through to school.
9. Be Social
Make friends at the pool. Swimming is a great chance for your child to be social with other kids. They'll also learn about sharing space and working around new people. This will equip them with the social skills they'll need to navigate the playground. Plus, it’s a good chance for you to bond with other parents over coffee.
10. Improved Self-Confidence
Give your child a confidence boost. Swimming will give your child self-confidence in new environments. This will pay off in dividends when they grow up! You'll have the peace of mind knowing your little one is safe around the water.
With the weather heating up, swimming is the perfect activity for your baby. Keep them safe and let them learn new skills to see them develop and grow. We have classes for babies here at Adelaide Aquatic Centre. Enquire now to find out more about getting involved.