FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

IT’S OK TO NOT HAVE ALL OF THE ANSWERS. I HOPE THIS IS A GOOD START.

Q: What is the ideal age to begin formal swim training?
A: Between 6 and 8 months a child can begin formal individual swim training. The child is usually physically ready at this point. The parents must also be ready to make the commitment to attend daily lessons and provide constructive play-time to reinforce the skills the child is learning.

Q: How much can a baby learn in my swim training lessons?
A: Children learn to close their mouths and hold their breath under water. They swim on the surface with their heads down and use their arms and legs to move through the water. They learn to turn over and float on their backs to breathe and rest. They also can learn to swim to the steps or side of the pool and hold on.

Q: What is the general format of your swim training lessons?
A: Lessons are given privately; one child at a time in the water. The duration of each lesson is 13-15 minutes. The parent does not participate in the water, however, it is very important that you observe and that your child knows you are there and that what is being done is “OK” with you. The consistency of coming every day contributes to the success of the program. There is no specific number of weeks you come. A good average is 4-6 weeks.

Q: How long will it take for my child to learn to swim?
A: Each swimmer is unique and many different factors determine how fast they learn. Age, lesson frequency, fear or love of the water, and natural ability are some of these factors. Children who are in a pool often, are usually stronger swimmers and progress at a faster rate.

Learning to swim is not the easiest accomplishment for all children. I believe many small steps lead to great achievements and build self-confidence. Some children do great after 3 weeks, some require more than 6 weeks……. They all learn!

SCIENTIFIC BENEFITS OF BABY SWIM LESSONS

IT’S NOT JUST GOOD FOR THEM PHYSICALLY, BUT EMOTIONALLY TOO.

Reduce Risk of Drowning
A case controlled study by Ruth Brenner discovered that participation in formal lessons can reduce the risk of drowning by 88% among children 1 to 4. Lessons should be considered for inclusion as part “of a complete prevention program.”

Boost Development of the Whole Child
Scientific studies at the German Sports College of Cologne have show that early year-round lessons for young children accelerated their development physically, intellectually and emotionally. Compared to a control group which did not take year-round lessons, the children who swam consistently from infancy were significantly stronger and more coordinated. The scored higher for intelligence and problem-solving which carried over into excellence in academic achievement. Emotionally the were found to have more self-discipline, greater self-contro and increased desire to succeed. They rated higher in self-esteem and were more independent and comfortable in social situations than the control groups.

Improves Motor Development
Studies conducted at Norwegian University with Dr. Sigmundsson found baby swimmers developed better balance, movement and grasping techniques than non-swimmers. Zelazo and Weiss reported that baby simmers made “considerable gains in the movement required for turning 1800 degrees and reaching for a wall (underwater) for the 16 to 20 month old children.” The research concluded buoyancy most likely boosted the infant’s motor development.

Accelerates Cognitive Development
After a large 4 year research project involving 45 swim schools in Australia, New Zealand and US, the results show that children under the age of 5 involved in swim lessons are more advanced in their cognitive and physical development than their non-swimming peers. In 2011 researchers in Melbourne determined children who were taught to swim by age 5 statistically had higher IQs. The research also showed that moving in high water resistance, strengthened the children’s muscles more rapidly than playing on the floor because swimming activates more large muscle groups.

Increase Memory Capacity
Recent studies have shown the amount of a person’s movement and exercise affects the size and memory capacity of his hippocampus. The hippocampus is an area of the brain primarily associated with memory and learning. Draganski and Gaser observed an increased number of neurons in the hippocampus of humans engaged in a controlled exercise program. Art Kramer at the University of Illinois and University of Pittsburg discovered that “highly fit people have a bigger hippocampus.” They concluded that more tissue in the hippocampus equates with increased ability in certain types of memory.

Expands Cerebral Communication
The more cross pattering movements, the more nerve fibers develop in the corpus callosum in the brain. The corpus callosum facilitates  communication, feedback and modulation from one side of the brain to the other. Cross pattering movements like swimming activate both cerebral hemispheres and all 4 lobes of the brain simultaneously, which can result in heightened cognition and increased ease of learning. Good communication in the cerebral hemispheres leads to overall efficiency in the brain processes, while poor interaction slows down language development and academic learning.

Strengthens Social Confidence
Swim class has abundant opportunities to share space with other children and to explore movement together. The child cooperates within a social structure to learn by observing and mimicking. He learns to take turns, to share and cooperate.Feeling special, loved and wanted builds self-esteem through a sense of belonging. “being part of a group also contributes  to the child’s social development.

Enhances Neurological Development
Water has over 600 times the resistance to air. Tactile experiences and interactions in the water are important for overall neural organization. Results of research by Dr. Ruth Rice revealed that infants made “significant gains in neurological development, weight gain and mental development” from the tactile stimulation of the nerve pathways of the skin and  vestibular nerve cells.

Deepens the Parent-Infant Bond
Scientific studies by Dr. Tiffany Field have shown that touch therapy promotes wellness of the newborn, improves growth and development, and enhances bonding between the parent and infant. The skin is the largest organ of the body. It is the boundary of self and contributes greatly to a sense of awareness. When the skin is gently arouses through stroking and touch from the parent, many tactile receptors are stimulated. Touching is a crucial part of the parent-infant bond. Tender loving strokes from the parent provide the child with emotional nourishment. A firm loving touch gives the feeling of attachment, commitment and connection.