Swimming for babies is defined as an activity of play, pleasure, stimulation and affective experience.
What we call baby swimming (or midwifery) has little to do with swimming, at least with what most people understand by learning to swim, since this approach cannot be achieved until the age of 4 or 5. Before this age, children are too young to develop autonomy in the water and acquire the movements of swimming. Therefore, it must be clarified that one thing is enjoyment and mastery and quite another to learn to swim. This is something that parents must be very clear about.
Newborns are perfectly endowed with a variety of reflexes that make possible the progressive development of a behavior adapted to the environment in which they develop, in this case water. Limiting the experiences of the first year to the stay in the crib or in the stroller means reducing the physical and intellectual development of our baby, in a critical period of his life. All psychologists and pedagogues recognize the importance of the first years in the individual's life and, despite this, we continue to not pay the necessary attention until we enter school. The most important objective of swimming for babies is focused on reinforcing the bond of love and trust between mother and baby, making both share an original, unique and unrepeatable experience, strengthening the affective and cognitive relationship between baby-mom-dad. . In addition, if this were not enough, play situations will be created, within a playful and recreational environment.
But there are many other benefits that swimming will bring for babies, some almost as important as those already mentioned:
- Psychomotor development.
- Strengthening the cardiorespiratory system.
- Helps the immune system.
- Increase IQ.
- Improves and strengthens the affective and cognitive relationship between baby-mom-dad.
- Initiate trauma-free socialization in a playful and recreational environment.
- Develop vital survival skills.
- Help the baby to relax.
- Helps baby feel more secure.
If you have a house with a garden enough to install a pool, do not hesitate, the enjoyment and benefit will not only be for when your child is a baby but will accompany him in his development and growth.
Try and tell us your experiences!