The idea of babies being able to swim independently underwater was
established in the 1960s, when Igor Tjarkovsky, a Russian swimming
instructor, saved his daughter’s life by raising her in a warm water
tank after she was born more than two months prematurely.
Today his ideas - combined with further techniques pioneered in Australia, America and Scandinavia - are well established and immensely popular. Across the world, babies little more than a few days old enjoy the enormous social and physical benefits of learning to swim
Babies have a real affinity with water, having spent months in the womb suspended in fluid. As time progresses this confidence decreases and between 10 and 15-months babies can develop a fear of water if not regularly exposed to it.
Sadly, drowning is still the third largest cause of accidental death for children in the UK. Therefore an important part of our course are the safety techniques we teach from birth – exercises like falling in off the side, coming to the surface, turning round and holding on to the nearest solid object.
The core Water Babies programme lasts one year, divided into either three or four terms - depending upon location. The half-hour lessons are designed to gently introduce your baby to the water and gradually increase confidence, experience and understanding.
Our aim is to provide a structured and stimulating activity for your baby and you. Using word association, repetition, games and songs, we encourage the development of your baby’s natural swimming skills and create sessions that are informative as well as fun.
Throughout the course you will accompany your child in the water – creating an excellent opportunity for the two of you to interact and learn together. However, don’t be put off if you yourself can’t swim as the water is always shallow enough for you to stand up in.
Classes are kept small, with a maximum of ten babies per session (even fewer in some hydrotherapy pools). A sense of camaraderie within the group is important and the lessons can be very lively, with parents often staying on to socialise afterwards.Water Babies classes will be running in Lymington, Fordingbridge, Farnborough, Southsea, Southampton, Basingstoke and Winchester.
For more information phone Ali or Budge on 07764 220 924 or 07734 331 030 or look at the website: www.waterbabies.co.uk
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