Baby’s take the plunge...

When babies arrive for their first classes, many are only a few weeks old, they appear totally dependent on others and are unable to hold up their heads. However once in the water they acquire a new independence and become really athletic. Water provides such a liberating environment for babies - they become truly empowered.

Flippers Swim Babes is a family run company working exclusively with babies and toddlers in hydrotherapy and other suitable pools across Yorkshire. Established in 2003 they now have over 400 babies on their current water safety programme. Classes are designed to be fun but they also follow a comprehensive programme of structured exercises that instil in baby vital life saving techniques.

Babies start on a preliminary programme - providing a gentle introduction to water in a playful environment and progress to advanced levels where they are encouraged to dive in, turn underwater, kick to the surface and hold on at the side. Many little swimmers who have attended the programme up to advanced are able to paddle freely across the pool, up to 5 meters unassisted. This is a wonderful achievement for toddlers of 2 to 3 years old and an amazing experience for parents to enjoy.

At Flippers all group sizes are limited , this makes the classes a comfortable size for each child to be given time to develop at their own pace and also makes the groups very sociable. Teaching is based on learning through play and involves games, nursery rhymes, word associations and repetition.

Babies have a natural affinity with water – they become totally liberated as water is a free environment for them. We all have an inborn “diving reflex” – allowing us to automatically hold our breath underwater – but this is strongest in babies up to 6 months. At this age babies also exhibit primitive swim stroke actions and can propel themselves under water. Water safety training classes build upon these natural reflexes to enable baby to be completely happy moving in and through the water.

Introducing babies to water from an early age has also been proven to improve development:-

• Building up baby’s heart and lungs
• Improving strength and stamina
• Encouraging agility and coordination
• Early language development skills
• Developing regular sleeping patterns
• Encouraging baby to be more confident and relaxed

All babies who have completed the first course of the Flippers Swim Babes programme are able to take part in a stunning underwater photo shoot, these are held several times a year.

Flippers also offer a 2+ programme for children aged between 18 months and 5 years. The programme is unique, it uses similar techniques to the baby swim classes and maintains the parent as a focus to assist the child. It is ideal for older children, allowing them the confidence to learn to swim unaided far quicker and more happily than if they attend lessons on their own. Children graduating from Flipper’s programme can all swim up to 10m independently on their front and back, some as young as 4 years old.

For more information visit www.swimbabes.co.uk.

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