Swimming Lesson in KL, Malaysia
Your baby’s response in the water indicates her comfort level of being in water.
Your baby can demonstrate reflex actions indicative of swimming when in the water.
Infants and toddlers can enjoy swimming as well as people of all ages. While some people might believe that swimming is solely for adults and older kids, there are actually several advantages to teaching newborns and toddlers to swim at an early age. Your baby may not have a natural ability to swim, but they can demonstrate reflex actions which are indicative of swimming ability. Babies however cannot intentionally hold their breath or keep their head above water all by themselves.
In a baby’s first six months, the natural ability to swim is a result of two reflexes which the baby develops. These reflexes are the strongest and include the swimming reflex and the dive reflex. Swimming reflex can be seen when you support your baby tummy-side down in water, her arms and legs will move in a swimming kind of action. The dive reflex is demonstrated whenever you hold your baby under water, your baby will open her eyes and hold her breath.
Studies have demonstrated this and also confirmed that babies didn’t inhale water or choked when they were held under water. However, not all babies may like the feeling of being in water, despite their natural abilities. So, depending on the baby’s response when being in the pool with you, you could give her more time in the water.
Being in the water provides some benefits to the babies.
Swimming can help to develop muscle tone and coordination for infants and also toddlers. It can also improve their balance and help them develop basic motor skills. Swimming can also be a great activity for infants and toddlers who have trouble sleeping, as the water can be very soothing and calming. Besides this, being in the water together also enhances the bond between the parent and child.
Once your baby is comfortable in the water, they can start to learn basic swim skills, such as kicking and floating.
There are certain crucial considerations to make when teaching infants and toddlers to swim. Making sure your child feels secure and at ease in the water comes first and foremost. Infants in the water should always be with and looked over by a parent or responsible adult. They must also be wearing suitable swimwear, such as a swim diaper and a swimsuit.
It is a good idea to introduce your baby to water in the bathtub at home. You don’t have to submerge them; just allow them to enjoy floating and the sensation of water on their skin as you hold them.
It is also very important to begin carefully and build up to longer swimming sessions. This can be done by beginning with just a few minutes in the water at a time and progressively extending their time in the water for infants. Once your baby is comfortable in the water, they can start to learn basic swim skills, such as kicking and floating.
A baby swimming class is a good way to boost yours and your baby’s confidence.
You can take your baby to a baby swimming class even if you can’t swim, as you will only be in shallow water during the session. A baby swimming class is very good as this will boost your confidence as much as your baby’s and is a great way to meet other parents.
Baby swim classes usually have small groups of parents and babies and are usually organised by age. It will also be everyone else’s first time if you enroll in a beginner’s class. Baby swim instructors strive to make their classes laid-back and enjoyable while also promoting play-based learning. As babies are born with the ability to use simple swimming strokes, the baby swimming instructor will build on these responses to develop their skills and comfort levels.
Baby swim instructors strive to make their classes laid-back and enjoyable.
NB: Infants and toddlers should always be accompanied by their parents or appointed guardians when in or around the pool or any water bodies. DSA provides Baby Swimming Programs for infants from 6 months old onwards. Swim Lessons for children of all ages are available at locations across Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Shah Alam areas in the Klang Valley and Johor, Malaysia.
