Laughter and splashes: your baby as a fish in the water
Nothing fancy more than a good swim in the pool. With a few months of age, our son can learn the basic techniques to stay afloat, know how to jump into the water and get out of it ... And, although they will not learn to swim perfectly, that is a relief and has important educational advantages.
Taking our son to a swimming pool so that he learns to swim can be a good idea now that it's getting hot. In this way we prevent possible accidents in the pool of the villa, on the beach, etc. But, it is also positive to familiarize our children with water, as it will help them in their later development.
Recent studies carried out at the University of Cologne show that children who learn to swim in their first months of life are more awake, attentive and independent, concentrate better and grow more.
Lately, a good number of gyms have proliferated that follow these theories of aquatic stimulation for babies. Its responsible ensure that the water, in addition to evoking the safety provided by the amniotic fluid of the mother's womb, helps the children to become aware of how their body works and develops their sense of balance.
The bathtub for babies
Before starting the "swimming lessons", the baby must be familiar with the water. The best way to prepare is at home. In the first months, when you bathe you can accustom him to pour water on his head, knock him down, get used to the water in the ears, have fun splashing (even if we put the bathroom lost), that he feels happy in the water. .. After this we can take the next step: put him in the huge bathtub of dad and mom. "How big it is!"
And in the water, how will we hold our son? There is no single formula. What you should look for is that your child feels comfortable, safe, balanced and with freedom of movement (hands on his little belly, on his waist ...). We can also play with them to see the sky, etc.
And, finally, we can put your head in the water, but be careful: we must fix ourselves not to do it when I am inspiring.
After performing these exercises you already have the necessary experience to learn how to defend yourself in a pool, under the supervision of a monitor.
What does a baby learn in the pool?
There are many parents who want their babies to learn to swim a few months. Unwind Until about two years, they do not have the development, strength, agility and coordination enough to propel themselves, stay afloat and breathe.
On the contrary, from very small they are able to dive and move very freely underwater, but at the moment when they run out of air they need the help of their mother or the monitor to get their head out.
Before 2 years: float
In swimming lessons, different objectives are pursued according to age. Before the age of 2, children are expected to float so that if they accidentally fall into the water, they do not drown. To do this they familiarize the baby with water from the first moment, they provoke the desire to bathe with attractive material (balloons, sponges, brightly colored balloons ...). The monitors play with the kids so that they have fun with the water.
The balls are given with their feet, with their hands, they blow, they make throws, they work dynamic coordination, and they are taught to breathe. They also splash on them, let them splash while sitting on the edge, point out water, etc. When they have them inside the pool they move them from one place to another so that they gain more confidence.
The next step is to teach them how to float. To do this they use mats that when the child climbs on they sink a little and, progressively, the support is taken away.
From 2 years: swim to "puppy"
After 2 years, the main objective is to teach them how to swim. The first step is to learn to swim in the "puppy" style, so that they can move themselves face down (they already have enough strength to keep their heads above water and be able to breathe). They also learn to swim face up, back style. From this moment, tables, balls, rings, etc. are used. to make the classes more fun.
There are a number of useful tricks that children also learn in the pool. For example, know how to throw yourself well into the water from the edge so that they do not hurt themselves. They also learn to leave the pool by the ladder, although the older ones - and the stronger ones - manage to do it by the edge. It is not uncommon for children to get stuck on the stairs without knowing how to get out or climb the steps.
Your baby as a fish in water: all are advantages
You could say that taking our babies to a pool has only advantages. Both babies and young children have very limited experiences in the family environment.When they get to the water they know a new world, they learn to develop without the help of their parents, they move and they make movements with great mastery and precision, they create a certain independence of movements.
Ignacio Iturbe
Advisor: Marisa Fernández, swimming instructor and coordinator of the pool of the "Almirante" gym in Madrid.
