Yes, babies can swim! Here’s why your child should start swimming lessons today.

Did you know that warm water relaxes babies? And swimming encourages improved sleeping and eating schedules, while stimulating your little one’s appetite? Babies feel at home in the water, and weekly swimming lessons can help add structure to your schedule and provide a fun social activity.

It’s up to you as a parent to decide the best time for your child to start swimming, but you may be more convinced after hearing some of our youngest students are only a few weeks old. In fact, our Parent & Tot program is recommended for children between the ages of 2 to 23 months.

Still a little hesitant to register your baby for swim lessons? Here are 5 reasons why your child should start swimming today.

Staying safe.

What’s the number one reason parents register their kids in our swim programs? Water safety. After all, drowning is the leading cause of preventable death for children under 10 in Canada (Canadian Safety Council).

You recognize how vital it is to have this lifesaving skill and want to ensure your child learns it from an early age because learning to swim, get to the side of the pool, hold on and climb out could save your child’s life one day.

Conditioning your little one on how to behave and interact around the water while they’re young will build safe habits that will last a lifetime. That’s why we start teaching these vital safety techniques from as early as 2 months old!

Strengthening bonds.

As parents, you’re taught that skin to skin contact strengthens the bond between parent and child. Good news! If your little one is under 23 months old, our swim lessons will involve lots of class time spent building this connection with your baby.

Our baby swim lessons are not only a fantastic way to strengthen this bond, they’re also a great opportunity for dad or mom to spend some precious one-to-one time with their children.

Gaining confidence.

Introducing your child to the water while they’re young will help prevent them developing a fear of water later – another reason why it’s in their best interest to get in the pool at an early age.

Our Parent & Tot program was specially designed as a fun way to build your child’s confidence in the water.  Your little one can learn the skills to move in the water independently and hold onto the side of the pool – all helpful to increase your baby’s confidence!

Building strength.

Babies are small in size, but they’re stronger than they look! Swimming lessons are a great way to keep your child physically active, while learning the tips and techniques to be comfortable in the water (and excited about it too!)

Less gravity means more muscle work for your baby as they learn everything from coordination and concentration to balance and breathing. Plus, in our Parent & Tot program parents will learn a lot of bathtub tips (because really, the pool is just a giant bathtub anyways!) and you’ll get the added benefit of a workout too ☺

Developing skills.

Responding to repetitive voice commands can sharpen your baby’s cognitive skills and increase their level of understanding.

In fact, a study at Griffith University in Australia found that by the time children start school, those who swim in their early years are ahead of non-swimmers by 6-15 months when it comes to solving math problems, counting, language and following instructions! The perfect added benefit to your child starting swimming lessons today.

Whether it’s learning to swim, playing the guitar or mastering multiplication, the earlier you start any skill, the more comfortable and confident you’ll be.

Register your child for swim lessons at Making Waves Swim School today to start enjoying the benefits, or contact us if you have any questions!