The autumn term Parent & Baby classes begin on Sunday 7th September and the full term course lasts for 13 weeks at a cost of 89 pounds per child. There is also a choice of 2 x 6 week courses starting 14th September and the 2nd November for a cost of 55 pounds per child.
Click here to download booking form
P&B_booking_form
Age groups for these classes start from 3 months old.
Parent & Baby classes are restricted to 1 child per parent in the pool.
Partners are also welcome to sit and watch from the side of the pool.
WHEN TO START
Starting baby young has its advantages. Not only are they learning breath control, floating, kicking and other aquatic skills, but also you and your child will experience interactive play in a completely relaxed medium, unlike anything you have ever experienced before. You will learn how to hold baby in the water so you both feel relaxed and safe. You can start at any age but check with your health visitor of Doctor first. Keep in mind that by the age of approximately 6 - 8months babies loose their 'natural' swimming reflexes and after we then need to 'teach' them how to do certain skills that would otherwise be quite easy for them.
You will need to consider several important factors when choosing a good baby swimming program. At this young age lessons need to be for parents more so than for baby. Remember your baby learns everything from its parents in the early stages of life so, if you can learn how to teach your baby chances are the process of learning will be all the more enjoyable and rewarding.
Beginning lessons later at say four or five years will mean you both miss out on discovering the water together from a young age. It is never too late to start to learn and children of this age do learn very quickly once a regular routine is set. Children at this age know fear and may take longer to become accustomed to the water than a young baby, especially if they are not familiar with a pool environment.
Regardless of age lessons will help babies and children develop safety skills, strength and stamina and enable them to feel comfortable in the water. Consequently this will help reduce the risk of them panicking in an unexpected situation that may have otherwise have serious consequence the least of which would be to discourage them from learning to swim.
Learning to swim is as important as learning to read and write!
