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6 months – 35 months
The Waterbabies classes only seem like fun and games. But this is where natural swimming for pure joy begins, in a wonderful environment with parental love and warm smiles all round.
Children as young as 6 months old can start their swim journey at Emler, and even newborns from 2-5 months old can be introduced to water fun and games during bath time. Emler’s experienced and caring instructors are dedicated to helping children become confident and skilled swimmers, and parents can trust that their child’s safety and enjoyment are top priorities.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children can start swimming lessons at the age of 1 year old to help reduce the risk of drowning. However, at Emler Swim School, we have been teaching children as young as 6 months old for 48 years with our award-winning curriculum. Our classes are specifically designed for babies, providing a nurturing and safe environment with the support of both parents and instructors.
Not at all! Emler offers Waterbabies classes for infants starting at 6 months old, and the program extends up to 3 years old. After completing Waterbabies, babies graduate to the Aquatots program where they can already move through the water up to 8-10 feet!
Introducing babies to water at a young age is crucial, and Emler even offers a pre-class introduction to bath time fun and games for babies as young as 2 months old.
Check out the different classes below to find the perfect fit for your child.
Emler’s baby swimming classes are designed to be enjoyable and engaging for babies, as they use toys, songs, and games to help ease any apprehension little ones may feel about the water. The natural attraction to water is amplified as babies learn to swim in a loving and supportive environment, with parents providing safety and comfort.
The curriculum emphasizes positivity and encouragement, without any forced techniques that may cause discomfort or fear. Parents accompany their children in the water, creating a non-competitive atmosphere that focuses on fun and celebrating each baby’s progress. At Emler, babies have the opportunity to learn, grow, and have fun while becoming confident swimmers.
Swimming lessons at Emler Swim School not only teach children to swim and be safe in the water, but also foster a love and appreciation for swimming that lasts a lifetime. Parents can give their children the gift of water safety and fun by starting them in classes as young as 2 months old.
This early introduction to water helps children become comfortable and confident in the water and reduces the risk of drowning accidents in standing water found in everyday life. With the skills and confidence gained at Emler, children can enjoy a lifetime of water activities, making family outings and vacation planning more enjoyable.
Children may not be aware of how structured Emler’s swim classes are, covering everything from basic skills to advanced techniques for competitive swimming. To them, it’s simply a fun way to learn new skills and achieve milestones. Parents can review the structured lesson plans below to find the appropriate class level for their child at Emler.
Pre-lessons:
Bathtime Babies – Water fun and acclimation! (2-5 months old)
For parents with children over 5 months old, we provide the Emler Oak Hill Waterbabies program designed for infants between the ages of 6 months to 35 months.
To get started with Emler Oak Hill’s Waterbabies program, you can call 855-232-2006 (Press Option 1) or fill out the contact form on the website. Emler guarantees that your child will learn how to have fun in the water and become a confident swimmer.
Parents at Austin Oak Hill trust Emler with their children’s swim future because of their dedication to water safety and enjoyable learning experiences.
Newborns recently arrived from the aquatic womb are returned to the happiness of water. Weekly half-hour classes familiarize baby with buoyancy and fun in the bath – and parents get expert instruction on baby games for bath time at home. This becomes a weekly treat for baby and parent, and sets the child up almost from birth for natural comfort, enjoyment and coordination in the water. Our tiniest students are almost veterans by the time they join the Waterbabies classes!
*Note: For your safety, children under the age of three are required to wear two washable, reusable swim pants.
Call Emler to schedule your 30 minutes of eye-opening fun as your baby learns the feel of being in the water and you learn all about the Emler Waterbabies program. Call or go online today to sign up for a free orientation class. There are many convenient times throughout the week for this free introduction.
*Note: For your safety, children under the age of three are required to wear two washable, reusable swim pants.
How do you learn to swim? You start singing, of course! Class begins for you and your baby with songs and activities in the water. With the assistance of a skilled instructor, you will learn how to increase your baby’s comfort and teach underwater breath control. Kicking in a noodle boat is a favorite activity along with back floating under London Bridge. Waterbabies learn to submerge 8 to 10 seconds and kick 3 feet through the water.
*Note: For your safety, children under the age of three are required to wear two washable, reusable swim pants.
The Plus class is for babies who have learned the basics and are now comfortable under the water and can control their breath for 8 to 10 seconds. Now they learn to strike out on their own a little, and kick forward through the water three feet. Our instructors are super-attentive during this important class because it’s where babies learn that the water is not a struggle but a place to play in and travel through, for the sheer joy of swimming.
And don’t worry, Mom and Dad, a skilled instructor is right there for you too, cheering you on so YOU can feel confident as your baby concentrates on the fun.
*Note: For your safety, children under the age of three are required to wear two washable, reusable swim pants.
The Advanced class is for the babies who now regard the water as fun – a supportive medium rather than a challenge. These little veterans of the Waterbabies training will learn to kick through the water 5 feet, while holding their breath. It’s time to learn some moves.
Watch your baby practice entering the water, turning around to kick back to the wall, and then climbing out of the water. Congratulations, you have a water baby! It’s okay to cry a little if you want – everyone gathers to watch at this exciting stage of learning, as young ones start playing in the water with natural confidence.
*Note: For your safety, children under the age of three are required to wear two washable, reusable swim pants.
The Supers class is for two years of age, toddlers on land maybe, but able to move five feet through the water with ease. During this series of classes, parents will eventually get out of the water and cheer from the sidelines as the children learn more skills.
This class extends the range to seven feet of swimming and teaches: a sitting jump entry, then a turn in the water and a swim back to the wall. It’s going to be easy to encourage from the edge of the pool as these little swimmers have fun.
*Note: For your safety, children under the age of three are required to wear two washable, reusable swim pants.
Let’s get X-treme! The 7 feet that the Supers can already swim will be extended to 10 feet. And that’s just the start. In this class, your toddler now learns rollover breathing, and the sitting jump now becomes a standing jump, with a turn and swim back to safety.
*Note: For your safety, children under the age of three are required to wear two washable, reusable swim pants.
Call to speak with one of our Emler team members
Use the tool below to determine what class/level is right
Answer the questions below to determine what class/level is right for your child.
Can your child... (select 1)
Remain submerged and hold their breath for 8-10 seconds
Swim ___ without flotation
Swim ___ competitive strokes
Recommended class/level:
Instruction on how to use bath time at home for socialization and bonding
Kick 10 feet through the water, introduce rollover breathing and a standing Jump, Turn & Swim
Themes and games are used to teach tots to kick 5 feet through the water and learn breath control
Themes are used to teach tots to kick 12 feet through the water and start to get a rollover breath
Extend distance to 20 feet with a rollover breath, and introduce a front breath
Swim 15-20 feet while improving independent front breath and introduce rollover breaths
Swim 20-30 feet while getting multiple independent front breaths and rolling breaths, treading water is introduced
Swim elementary backstroke 30-40 feet, swim freestyle with several independent rhythmic breaths 30-40 feet and treading water is mastered
Swim freestyle 80 feet with unilateral and bilateral rhythmic breathing and swim competitive backstroke 80 feet
Swim breaststroke 80 feet, swim freestyle 80 feet with bilateral rhythmic breathing and backstroke
Master endurance and the individual medley and learn swim team starts and finishes and introduce safety skills
