Shropshire Family Information Service

All parents want their children to be able to swim, after all it’s a vital skill that could one day save their life, the question for many parents is how do you go about introducing your child to water in order to develop a love of all things aquatic that will stay with them throughout their lives.

For many parents a good way forward is to sign up for a course of baby swimming lessons to ensure that baby’s first swim is safe and memorable for all the right reasons.  The good news is that lessons specifically designed for babies are becoming increasingly popular with an increasing number of leisure centres and health clubs offering specialist sessions run by qualified and knowledgeable staff.  There are numerous reasons for this surge in interest in baby swimming:

Fun

First and foremost swimming is lots of fun for all the family, and joining in with a structured swimming lesson scheme helps teach parents how to enjoy the water safely with their child whilst enjoying games songs and fun activities with their little one at the same time.

Great for families

Swimming is something everyone can participate in; attending specialist infant swimming classes are a great opportunity for you to bond with your child, allowing important interaction with babies that allow them to feel secure and safe. There are also lots of other parents with their babies, so classes can be a great way to socialise too.

Helps children develop physically, emotionally, intellectually and socially.

Selecting a swimming lesson programme designed specifically for babies means that your child will not only experience the physical benefits of being in the water but will also develop emotionally and socially through interaction with others, and intellectually through participation in games, songs and fun activities specially selected to aid the children’s development.

Keeps your baby active, fit and healthy.

Research has shown that swimming can have a positive impact on baby’s sleeping and eating patterns.  It also develops healthy exercise habits that will stay with your baby as they grow.

There are many things you can do to prepare your child for the first session.  Bath time is a fantastic way of fostering a love of water from an early age, and is ideal for initial introduction to water as it takes place in the comfort of your own home at a time to suit you in water which is warmer than the average swimming pool.  Early activities splashing about in the bath with toys and watering cans help children become accustomed to being in the water, which makes the transition to swimming lessons go much more smoothly when the time comes.

If you are interested in in enrolling you baby or child for swimming classes you may want to consider the Shropshire Swim Academy lessons at venues across Shropshire, which are run by professional, highly trained swimming instructors.  Please contact your nearest centre to book a place.

Quarry Swimming Centre: 01743 257870

Whitchurch Swimming Centre: 01948 662187

Oswestry Leisure Centre: 01691 659349

Much Wenlock Leisure Centre: 01952 727629

Market Drayton Swimming Centre: 01630 655177

Bridgnorth Leisure Centre: 01746 761541