Today for Saturday Spotlight I am focusing on Aquatots. They have some new classes starting up for women and babies in the London area. If only this was available in our area when Bee was younger! If you are in the Croydon area then you may want to find out more about the new sessions that are being held at Thornton Heath (Croydon) pool.
Your baby was born with the natural ability to swim and to hold their breath underwater and after 9 months in the fluid environment of Mummy’s tummy are very ready to begin learning that incredible life skill of swimming. What’s more, learning that life saving skill can also be great for fun, fitness and relaxation for both baby and parent.
There are many baby swim schools available and by finding one that specialises in this area you will have the reassurance that your Teacher will be experienced and dedicated to ensuring your child learns in the most comfortable, safe, fun & suitable environment. Most baby swim schools will only use warm private pools, such as Aquatots lovely new pool pictured here in Thornton Heath, so it’s not dissimilar to stepping into a nice warm bath. This keeps them relaxed, comfortable and ready to learn and have fun.
Those swim schools focussed on the more natural approach will also steer clear of buoyancy aids such as arm bands and instead have parents hold and guide their children under the water building up to more independent swims when they are ready. This removes the possibility of future dependence on buoyancy aids but also gives parents a more involved role in their child’s learning. Many also agree that teaching children to swim the natural way, without buoyancy, is far more beneficial, fun and easier too. Both Mum & Dad can be involved with Teachers taking you through structured sessions with swims that develop with your child until that incredible moment that they take their first truly independent swim.
Not only is water confidence a key part of any swim lesson but much time will also be spent promoting lifesaving skills. It may be some time before your child is truly independent in water with the ability to swim confidently, so until that time they will be learning important lifesaving skills such as what to do if they were to fall into water accidentally (a parent’s worst nightmare). How to hold their breath in water and come up to breath, how to turn and bring themselves to the side and hold on for safety and much more. Incredibly your baby can begin to learn some of these skills on their very first lesson.
So why wait? Your baby is ready so start looking now for classes in your area and give your baby that true Gift for Life. The ideal age to begin baby swimming is 3-12 months and some our Thornton Heath Pool also run Foundation/beginner classes for toddler/children. Often there is also an opportunity to have under water photographs taken at the term end too.
Article written by Natalie Watt – Aquatots Baby Toddler & Child Swimming
Aquatots baby and toddlers lessons teach in various locations across South London, and South East England.
WOMAN & BABY ONLY LESSONS
Every Thursday
Thornton Heath (Croydon) pool
Time : from 10am.
Level 1 babies – from 10wks to 18months
We also offer Foundation classes for toddlers 18+ months to pre-school age.
New Winter term – starting on Thursday 21st January
8 week cost – £108.90
SPECIAL JOIINING OFFER – Receive FREE PHOTOS & FREE REUSABLE SWIM NAPPY for all Level 1 bookings.
Plus £10 group discounts are available on 3 or more bookings.
Our lessons are held in a warm pool, we teach lots of life saving skills in additional to underwater swims and lots of fun above the water activities.
Reserve a place email info@aquatots.com or call 0208 688 6488 (office hours)’.
More info visit www.aquatots.com
www.facebook.com/Aquatots.swim