Have you ever thought about taking your toddler to a swimming pool? If not, both of you are losing a lot. Children can learn how to swim faster than walking as buoyancy can be quite fun and enjoyable. It would be best if you started looking at swimming as smoothing beyond splashing or gliding through the water, which some people think will get them sick. Well, swimming pools are not only treated but can also be heated to ensure that cold is no longer poses a challenge to enthusiastic swimmers. However, it is essential to note that children of six months and below must stay away from chlorinated pools since their internal body systems are still weak, and swallowing can harm them.
Nevertheless, that one doesn’t mean that you should wait forever to take your child into the pool. For instance, there are affordable baby swimming lessons inner west sydney that could turn your infant into a swimming monster within weeks. So, what are some of the benefits of infant swimming? Well, they include but aren’t limited to the following:
- Building muscles
Besides being a fun sport, swimming is an exercise that works out the body muscles more than jogging or even stretching. Consequently, it will help your child develop muscles around the triceps, biceps, and thigh area. This transformation results in a big, healthy baby who can stand for himself.
- Promotes bonding
Children cannot stay inside pools without the supervision of older folks. While you can be busy elsewhere to watch over the training, caregivers make the best substitution. Infant swimming allows children to bond with their parents/caregivers as they spend much time focusing on each other.
- Improve cognitive function
Scientifically, cross-patterning movements can help build a more robust neuron network in the brain, hence improving cognitive function. Swimming underwater is only possible when your toddler kicks the legs while moving the hands bilaterally. A boosted cognitive function translated to improved reading and writing skills; hence your child will likely flourish academically. It also promotes spatial awareness and language development.
- Promotes regular sleep patterns
Babies are known to have the weirdest sleeping patterns, especially when they remain inactive for the better part of the day. It is important to note that swimming drains a lot of energy, even from adults. The body also tries to work overtime to keep up with the changing environment and temperatures. That is why you’ll notice babies taking naps immediately after swimming lessons. To keep up with the changing sleep patterns, you might be forced to go to bed early on swimming days.
- Improves appetite
Have you ever spend your time in the pool and left with a full stomach? Well, the same happened to infants. Physical exertion in the water sucks the energy out of their body and burns plenty of calories, leaving the body yearning for more. Once your baby starts spending more time in the pool, you’ll notice a sudden change in eating patterns and even the amount of food consumed at mealtimes. However, this shouldn’t worry you as it rarely culminates in obesity. Just make sure as the appetite grows, the child doesn’t abandon healthy swimming practices.
- Builds confidence
Lastly, you might also be interested to know that infant swimming helps build confidence in babies. Most swimming lessons start with simple water play then move to active group activities. As your child participates in teamwork, they develop greater self-control, which makes it fun to learn new things. Other factors that play into boosted confidence include a greater desire to succeed in beating their teammates, enhanced self-esteem, and the art of blending with social gatherings, including nom-swimmers.
The above benefits will help mould any toddler into a hard-working, resilient individual in life. It is also important to understand that competitive swimming imparts invaluable skills in someone’s life, such as patience and self-discipline. These are skills that would help your child become anything they want in life!
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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