Safety + Survival = Security
Our infant swimming classes are available for babies 8 weeks old and older. Teaching your child how to swim at such a young developmental stage can have long lasting positive effects on your child. The infant lessons are typically a one week course in which we teach parents the fundamental holds and skills to work on with your baby, in order to build a foundation. This program is more of an education for the parents at this age. We recommend bringing your child back for consistent lessons between the ages of 6 – 8 months old, with the goal of them doing the skills independently. Continue reading in order to obtain the wonderful benefits of infant and baby swimmers.
Our baby swimming classes will have a lasting impact on you and your child’s well-being and life around the water.
The Swimming reflex goes away after 4-6 months!
Getting your baby in for infant swimming lessons before the ages of 4 months is crucial in order to take advantage of the swimming reflex. The swimming reflex is a natural physical phenomenon that happens to infants before the age of 4-6 months. Babies before the age of 4-6 months will usually automatically hold their breath and open their eyes when submerged under water. This reflex typically goes away by 6 months old. Get into our baby swimming lessons today!
Studies show that the epiglottis closes over the larynx when water is accidentally drawn into a child’s mouth. The autonomic spasm forces the glottis to close, thus producing a tight seal and preventing water inhalation into the lungs. The child usually coughs to move the water out of the throat.
Baby Swimming Lessons: Private, Semi-Private, or Group
(Ages 8 weeks old – 3 years old)
Our instructors are trained to teach at your child’s pace using verbal cues, body language, and positive feedback. Using a gentle, loving approach, our instructors guide your baby in introducing water skills. If your baby is not speaking yet or learning a language that is not English, this will not prevent them from being able to learn with our program! We teach basic water safety and swimming skills. No two babies are alike, and they learn and progress at different speeds. Swimming Classes are all 30 minutes in length.
During this age it is common for children to go through separation anxiety at different stages of their development. We encourage parent involvement for at least the first week so the child can get used to the instructor.
How We Conduct Our Swim Lessons
We are a mobile swim school that teaches in the comfort of your own home or preferred pool. If you are without a pool, no problem, we will teach you at the closest location we have to you. We have an enclosed, heated, saltwater pool bordering Oldsmar and Tampa, just off of Hillsborough Avenue/Tampa Rd. After discussing with us your goals and needs, we can help determine the best amount of lessons we recommend to produce your desired results. Pick a time that is convenient for you that you can keep consistent. All lessons are 30 mins. or 1 hour in length depending on age and preference. We sign everyone up over the phone because we still believe in the personal touch. We accept all major credit cards. Remember, swimming is an investment in either yourself or your children.
Baby Swim Classes and Brain Development:
The following is to reveal more important factors as to why the early movement is essential to early learning. Children without motor stimulation cannot learn. Movement and experience helps an infant gather information. Sensory information comes from the environment by way of a child’s skin, nose, eyes, ears, taste buds and nerve receptors.
Research reveals that babies are spending up to 60 waking hours a week in baby carriers, car seats, high chairs etc. (Pica 2006) Precious developmental time is spent in confinement with little opportunity to increase their balance, stability, sensory/motor and cognitive skills. (Lana Whitehead 2010) Brain priming movements revealed are based on building and improving these neurological pathways. Thus, the key to early learning is stimulated by reflexes which develop into movement exploration. Once the exploration experiences are repeated, nerve pathways are created and neural memories are established. These neural pathways set down intricate networks that direct a child’s higher level brain development. The more plentiful and diverse the experiences, the more complex patterns for memory, learning and reasoning will be established. (Hannaford 2005)
Swimming is the Only Sport that can Save Your Life!
Parents, I do understand that your children have other interests. However, some decisions should not be left up to the child. This is one of them. Every child and adult should not only learn to swim but know how to swim extremely well. They need to know how to swim efficiently, back floating and treading water. Parents, do all other sports or activities save lives? I urge you to make this your top priority over Dance, Soccer, Football, Karate, Gymnastics, Baseball, etc. When I teach adults, many have mentioned how they are so frustrated that their parents didn’t see the importance of having them learn at a young age. They feel that they have missed out on fun opportunities around the water. I urge you! Swimming should not be considered just a summer activity. We are here to teach year-round!