Swimmers from Cove!

Little known in Greece, baby swimming has only benefits to offer your baby, and significant ones at that. By teaching your child to swim and dive from a baby, you are not only giving him the opportunity to get acquainted with the water from an early age, but you are also helping him to exercise, strengthen his body and become more social and independent. So, now that summer is here, is it an opportunity for you and your baby to start baby swimming lessons?

The lesson begins.

Before the first “baptism” in the pool, the coach gives some necessary theoretical lessons to the parents. In the water, parents and babies can do lessons, lasting half an hour each time, always following the coach’s instructions. Learning is done in a very enjoyable way, in the form of a game, so that no one feels pressured.

Born swimmers

Babies can start swimming lessons from the age of 6 months to the age of 3 years. Initially, they need some time to get used to the new experience. However, compared to older children, newborns can enter the water more easily, because they were only a few months ago in the wet environment of the womb. For this reason, they make reflexive swimming movements in the water and when diving, they hold their breath without drowning. With the help of a coach, they can learn to swim unaided from the age of 16 months.

Contributes to smooth development

The beneficial effects of water on the human body are well known. In babies, it strengthens their defense system, which is not fully developed, and helps a lot in their motor, muscular and mental development. The composition of water, the buoyancy, the resistance it exerts on the body, offers them a pleasant environment and the opportunity to activate their senses from a very early age. They learn to control their body, to change postures and positions. In addition, water relaxes them, because it regulates their muscle tone and they sleep more peacefully. Based on international scientific studies, babies who swim, when they grow up, have greater self-confidence and become more social and independent. Also, by learning to exercise from a young age, they usually continue for the rest of their lives. However, parents also benefit, because they develop stronger emotional bonds with their babies.

Before you start, make sure that:

a. The coach is specialized, follows all safety rules and will teach you lifeguarding lessons.
b. The pool is 1.40-1.50 m deep and is preferably closed so that you can continue the program in the winter.
c. The pool is heated with a constant temperature.
d. The water is renewed very frequently and cleaned thoroughly (preferably with ozone instead of chlorine, which may cause skin or respiratory problems in children).
e. The locker rooms are kept clean and heated in the winter.

What do parents say?

"If I have another child, I will definitely enroll him in a baby swimming program. I am excited. My baby is always happy and I can't wait to go to the lessons," comments Ms. Georgia Dimoulea, mother of little Andreas, continues, “We started baby swimming lessons last November, when the baby was only 6 months old. Today he is 22 months old and we will definitely continue for quite some time. It is a very good opportunity to live some moments just for us, as I feel guilty because I do not dedicate as much time to him as I would like. When I saw him for the first time diving into the pool, I cannot describe to you the surprise and satisfaction I felt. I compare my child with others of the same age who do not swim, and I notice that he is less nervous, more sociable and happy. Suffice it to say that after the lesson, Andreas relaxes so much that he does not wake up at night, which makes me happy to sleep too. With the exercises and playing in the water, he exercises, relaxes, has fun, learns to share and claim things. I have also noticed that he gets sick less than others "children who don't do baby swimming"

What does the pediatrician say?

According to Ms. Loretta Thomaidou, pediatrician-developmentalist, swimming helps the child mentally and physically. The benefits are even greater when he is familiar with water from infancy. Swimming exercises his entire body without straining and strengthens his immune system. At the same time, the child is “hardened” and becomes independent from an early age, as he is transferred from the safety of the family to a more open social environment. He also benefits emotionally, because he is given the opportunity to play, relax and bond more with his parents. However, safety rules in swimming pools must be met, such as being thoroughly cleaned and the coach being specialized.