Why start Learn to Swim young?
The Infant and preschool aquatic program is designed to assist infants, young children and parents to become familiar with water and develop water confidence. For many parents spending quality time with their child is a priority and being able to do this with a child during lessons can assist in building a special bond between child and parents. Parents are able to encourage their child through play which promotes the development of language and cognition, social interaction and cooperative experience.
Play is also an important process of a child’s learning, play give the child a means to explore, establish social skills and can be used to motivate children to learn through what they perceive as fun.
Our swim teachers use songs, games and rhymes during their classes also providing toys and equipment to create a setting in which children can participate in playful interactions, this also creates a trusting relationship between the teacher and the child.
The use of songs, games and rhymes helps to create a happy, warm and friendly environment and we should encourage parents to practise these at home or at the pool to encourage the growth of confidence and enjoyment of being in water.
The benefits of Infant and Preschool classes:
- Education of parent and children on the dangers of an aquatic environment
- Parents are able to encourage children to develop water confidence and the ability to learn
- For children to develop positive opportunities to enjoy the aquatic environments
- Commence preliminary aquatic activities which with growth, practise and time lead children to develop age appropriate aquatic skills
- Promotes physical, personal and intellectual well being
- Promotes bonding between parent and child as well as a range of social interactions