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.
Baby Swimming Classes in Clear Lake
Many children do not learn how to swim until they are several years old – sometimes as old as 10.
While there is never a bad time to learn, parents can give their babies the advantage of swim lessons before they are even potty trained. Is this a good idea? And how does a parent do this? Learn more below.
Benefits of Baby Swim Lessons
Swimming is a great way to enjoy some family fun in the sun and to get some exercise, but there are a few additional benefits. The first one is a very simple one: safety.
According to the CDC, for children between the ages of one and four, drowning is the leading cause of accidental death. For ages five to 14, it’s the second leading cause of accidental death. Many of these drowning deaths occur in the family pool. Though you can’t prevent everything, swimming lessons reduce the likelihood of losing little ones to drowning accidents by 88% (link to Griffith Study).
Additionally, swim lessons can provide some internal benefits for your child. It enhances cognitive and physical abilities, which is beneficial for school, sports, and overall health. And it boosts confidence – something that can impact a child’s entire life.
How Early Should I Start My Baby in Swimming Classes?
There was a time when the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended that children should be at least four years old before taking swim lessons. However, their recommendations have recently dropped to the age of one. This is a very positive thing, as so many of those accidental drownings occur before the age of four.
While one might be the general guideline, research and experience have shown that babies as young as six months old can learn the skills necessary to survive unintentional dips in the water. And taking classes in Clear Lake this early helps reduce their fear of the water, as well as setting them up to be strong swimmers throughout life.
How the Emler Approach Works
At Emler Swim School, we believe that the earlier a child is introduced to water, the happier and safer they’ll be. However, when and how that introduction takes place is integral to the results. Some methods can create fear and intimidation, which can actually push children away from water and leave them unable to survive an accident.
We focus on creating a fun, stress-free environment that is full of positive reinforcement. Starting at only two months old, you can enroll them in our Clear Lake Bathtime Babies program. This is a very playful, loving, and parent-involved program that focuses on reducing anxiety and creating a love of water play. At six months old, your baby can move into our Clear Lake Waterbabies program, where your baby will begin with breath control and move up as skills are developed.
Though it’s a very structured learning process, it seems like nothing more than fun and games to children – and for good reason. We use fun, games, songs, and toys to foster a love of the water and – above all – safety.
We believe that parental love, hugs, and celebration are essential, which is why our classes are built around parent and baby working together. As your child’s skills and confidence progress, we begin to foster more independence in the water.
If you’re wondering if Clear Lake swim classes are right for your baby, we offer a free 30-minute orientation for you to experience. Give us a call with any questions at 855-232-2006 or fill out the contact form and a member of our team will contact you as soon as possible.
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Bathtime Babies: 2-5 months old, water familiarity
Parent and Baby learn bath time fun
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.
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Waterbabies Orientation: FREE 30 min class
Parents join baby in the water
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.
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Waterbabies
Parents join baby in the water
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.
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Waterbabies+
Parents join baby in the water
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.
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Advanced Waterbabies
Parent joins baby in the water
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.
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Super Waterbabies
Parent joins baby in the water for the first 3 weeks
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.
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X-treme Waterbabies
Parent not in the water
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.
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