Infant Swim Lessons: Safe, Smart, Fun and Good

Infant lessons are safe, smart, and fun. Having an instructor frees us up to focus on our child’s movements and the feelings that are passing between us. Why are infant lessons good? Keep reading and you’ll find out.

SAFE

When we are in the pool and fully engaged with our kids, they are safe because “the single most important factor in pediatric drowning is the level of supervision.” [1]

The diving reflex helps, too. How? “The diving reflex kicks in to manage the lack of oxygen while underwater.” Moreover, children “absorb more oxygen into their bloodstream than adults do, so, when they go underwater, there is https: more oxygen available.” [2]

SMART

Infant swim lessons are smart. Why?

Infant swim lessons reduce the risk of drowning. A 2009 study conducted at the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development concluded that “participation in formal swimming lessons was associated with an 88% reduction in the risk of drowning in the 1- to 4-year-old children.” [3]

FUN

Find families to take class with to increase the benefits and the fun. Sharing the swimming experience with other parents and children helps us and our children feel support. That feeling of support encourages us to explore and so to learn. That’s one of the many reasons why Sunsational offers parent and baby group lessons: check them out! [4]

GOOD

Why are infant swim lessons good? They have life-long health benefits for bodies and brains and deepen our bonds.

BODY

Infant swim lessons force us and our children to learn to move and support ourselves in the water. Those methods differ radically from the methods that work on land. Floating, twisting, and lifting the head take a breath are just as challenging—and just as fun—as crawling, rolling over, and walking on land.

So, infant swim lessons encourage the development of strength and coordination. Kicking and paddling require coordinated movement and strong muscles.

BRAINS

Children have to learn how to make their bodies “work” in the water. As they struggle to figure it out, their brains develop too. They learn to cope with new sensations, like being underwater, and situations, like how to flip from back to front. Every time they successfully meet a new challenge, their brains have learned something new.

BONDS

When we laugh, smile, and move with our children in the water, they learn something new about themselves and about us. We look and feel different in the water simply because we are buoyant and light. Our buoyancy and bounce puts us in a special place to connect.

Infant swim lessons are simple, natural, and pleasureful. Most programs develop similarly—with submersion, movement, and floating—using steps designed by dedicated teachers and researchers. Research different methods until you find the one that feels right for you. [5]

Infant swim lesson develop bodies, brains, and bonds in ways that last a lifetime. Equally importantly, they give us and our children the experience of learning how to swim together. The memories and bonds that flow from those experiences will last a lifetime, too.

Our understanding of infant swim lessons is still developing. Please share your experiences and opinions with me.

Thank you! – Robert

About the Author: Robert Rogers
Robert is a Sunsational Swim Instructor in Santa Rosa, California.
In his work life, Robert has taught people how to sing, act, and swim—and birds how to fly. Okay, well not exactly. But he did train birds for shows at state fairs, zoos, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom. His only regret is not having learned how to fly himself—yet! You have to crawl before you can fly—or butterfly, right? Favorite animal movie of the moment: EIGHT BELOW!

Book your lesson with Robert or any of our swim instructors!