Baby Bonding
Suzy Balderston Feb 25, 2020
Our mommy and me classes aren't just for moms and baby. We love seeing dads in the water and even grandparents too! Parent and me classes are a great way to bond and build trust with your child. Give your child an early start to water safety with our mommy and me classes, starting at 6months they will learn how to be comfortable in the water while learning some important life skills like back float. Here are 4 ways swimming lessons help you bond with your baby:
1. Building Trust
Though it may not seem it, babies are learning a lot about you and your relationship with each other during their first couple of years! Babies learn by your interaction together, and they'll learn they can trust you. While swimming, they'll see you put your face in the water and come back up, unscathed. Then they'll see that when they go underwater themselves, you're there for them to keep them safe – and that understanding goes a long way to giving them the confidence they'll need to make waves in life.
2. Learning your Child's Needs
As parents, so much of our time is spent trying to get our kids to do what we want them to – as we should because it's our job to teach them the ways of the world! But swimming with our kids allows us the time to really focus on what they want and feel while doing so. We sense when they are apprehensive, when they need a break, when they need encouragement and laughter. We are following their pace, instead of the other way around.
3. Sharing Joy
Babies love water – the splashing, the laughing, the exploring. While you're swimming with your baby, you are engaged with what is going on and with the reactions your baby is having. Sharing joy is one of the best bonding experiences a child and parent can have. Your baby feels connected to you while you're holding him or her in the water, sharing an experience together – and they'll want to celebrate and recreate that feeling together again and again.
4. Setting the Building Blocks of Learning
Even though you're in swimming lessons with your baby because you want him or her to learn a lifelong, lifesaving skill, you can have fun while doing so. Children learn from our actions, not just what we say. When we participate in a learning activity with them, show them how to do it, then believe in and encourage their ability to learn – and give them space to practice at their pace – we're giving them opportunities to love learning and produce some extraordinary results.
