Practicing physical activities is recommended by several doctors and is good for all ages, including babies. Doctors explain that the sooner you start, the better, as this action greatly contributes to the child’s motor development. Due to its benefits, swimming for babies is one of the most sought after physical activities for the development of little ones with Lifeguard training near me.
The first years of life are marked by an intense process of development and maturation. As a result, many parents who want to accelerate or provoke. This advancement seek swimming lessons for babies before the first year of age.
Doctors explain that babies develop according to the stimuli they receive. Therefore, taking into account that this depends on the demands of tasks, biological factors and environmental conditions. The earlier your baby is stimulated, the greater the motor repertoire and the acquisition of skills. The same applies to ease of swimming and adaptation to water.
Contrary to popular belief, the baby is already adapted to the liquid environment since pregnancy. As they were immersed inside the placenta formed by the amniotic fluid. Thus, they are able to perform various swimming movements, demonstrating a series of reflexes, common in early childhood.
Stimulation of activities that seek to facilitate the development of children’s sensory organs. Such as touch, hearing, smell and vision, are also beneficial to them. To further explore this sensory side, the ideal is that musicality is also part of the classes. As they stimulate memory and increase vocabulary.
Swimming for babies
Although some doctors recommend the practice of swimming for babies before completing one year of life, everything will depend on the pediatrician’s assessment of the baby’s development. So while baby swimming has many benefits, check with your pediatrician first to see if it’s time for your child to get in the water.
However, starting before six months has its perks. By this age, the baby is likely to have had all the vaccines – so the risk of infections due to contact with water and other people decreases considerably.
Being able to be practiced in several pools, swimming for babies is not intended to teach them how to swim, but rather to contribute to the aforementioned sensory and motor development.
Studies show that, in the water, babies gain awareness of their body, learn to move differently and experience new sensations. Swimming encourages babies to be more confident, social, and have greater autonomy, especially if done in a group with other parents and babies.
Benefits of swimming for babies
It became clear that swimming for babies helps in the development and maturation of the baby, especially in the first years of life. But it’s not just.
Swimming for babies helps to improve the little one’s breathing, as they gradually learn to control it, thus also activating blood circulation.
It is important to note that many parents are afraid to enroll their babies in swimming, especially when they have a respiratory disease, such as asthma. However, the practice is still beneficial, as it strengthens from the chest muscles to the diaphragm, making the exchange of oxygen easier and more natural. Thus, children with asthma end up showing an improvement with swimming.
In addition, swimming for babies is usually carried out with an instructor and a guardian together with the child, increasing the proximity and safety relationship between those involved.
The benefits of swimming can not only be seen during exercise, but also afterward. The baby’s sleep improves, in addition to his appetite, an extremely positive factor during the introduction of food. Thus, it may not even be necessary to take steps for the baby to eat a certain food.
As if that weren’t enough, swimming for babies makes them increase their understanding of time and space, developing a safer contact in aquatic environments (pool, sea, and even in the bathtub). In addition, the earlier the baby starts swimming, the more he can start learning the sport.
Evolution of physical conditioning, strengthening and increase in muscular resistance are other virtues acquired by the child with this practice.
In terms of aspects that are not related to physical conditioning, swimming for babies still contributes to the formation, albeit early, of emotional intelligence, which through specific activities brings all babies, their families and the teacher closer together.
This contact is extremely important for affective development, since the emotional control of the human being is formed around 02 years of age.
Finally, a study conducted by the Australian university, Griffith University pointed out that children who swim from a young age evolve physically and mentally in a more advanced way. The researchers noticed that children between three and five years old – who had started to swim as babies – developed their verbal skills earlier, as well as their sense of understanding.
Most common concerns about baby swimming
As much as many parents understand the benefits of swimming for babies, some still have doubts and concerns about this practice, especially in relation to those who have not yet completed one year of life with lifeguard training near me.
One of the biggest fears is about the famous earache that many suspect is caused by water. However, it is possible to avoid this problem.
Earache usually occurs when the pool water is not well treated. It is important that the team that manages the place is attentive and checks if the chlorine has a neutral pH and not very concentrated, as well as if the water is at the ideal temperature (around 26ºC).
An attitude that can help to avoid the problem is to dry the child’s ear well after getting out of the water and after the bath. That’s because humidity favors the proliferation of otitis-causing bacteria, which can generate pain and annoyance in the baby. In addition, some teachers and doctors recommend the use of a moldable earplug, an accessory that prevents water from entering the ear.
Another frequent concern is about the emergence of allergies in babies. Normally, in club and school pools, a lot of chlorine is added to prevent the proliferation of bacteria and fungi with lifeguard training near me.
However, when the chlorine concentration is too high, the child can develop allergies. Such as redness in the eyes and some swelling of the skin. However, if the little one is allergic to chlorine, it is recommended that he use a pool that receives another type of treatment. Such as salt or ozone.
In addition to swimming, other physical activities that are beneficial for babies
Although swimming is one of the most beneficial physical activities for babies, it is not the only one. Therefore, directing the child to any exercise from an early age is essential to develop muscle strength, flexibility and endurance.
In addition, all types of physical activity stimulate bone metabolism, increase respiratory and cardiac capacity. Improve mood, appetite and prevent obesity. If the practice remains long-term, it can even lower the risk of hypertension and diabetes.
Swimming is a sport suitable for babies, although there is no right age for initiation.
From the age of two or three, other activities are allowed, especially those involving dance, such as ballet and capoeira. In ballet, for example, children perform movements that work on stretching, flexibility, posture, muscle strengthening. Creating body awareness and leaving shyness aside.
Now, in case parents find the above examples too risky, yoga is a good recommendation. Yoga for pregnant women is something very fruitful for mothers (fathers, too) and babies during pregnancy. But the little ones can continue the activity in the outside world with lifeguard training near me.
According to experts, the different postures of yoga, which work with stretching.Concentration and flexibility, make the child create body awareness. Furthermore, in yoga – as well as swimming for babies – breathing is also trained to accompany movements.
In short, it is essential that human beings begin to perform physical activities from an early age. And the best and most complete activity is swimming. Practice can further develop the child’s motor and sensory systems. As well as assist in creating emotional intelligence and social interaction with the world around them.