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Starfish Gazette
Dive into the Benefits: Why Baby Swimming Lessons are Good for Both Child and Parent
Watching a baby take their first swim is a heartwarming sight that never fails to bring smiles to faces. Beyond the sheer cuteness, baby swimming lessons offer a multitude of benefits for both the child and the parent. These aquatic adventures are more than just a fun way to spend time together; they are a valuable investment in your child’s physical and cognitive development. In this blog post, we’ll dive into the compelling reasons why baby swimming lessons are so good for both the child and parent.
- Safety First
One of the most critical reasons to enroll your baby in swimming lessons is safety. Water is all around us, and it’s essential that children learn how to navigate it safely from an early age. Baby swimming lessons teach infants basic water survival skills like floating on their backs, rolling over, and reaching for the edge. These skills can be life-saving in case of accidental falls into pools or other bodies of water.
- Early Physical Development
Baby swimming helps in the overall physical development of the child. The water’s buoyancy supports their weight, allowing them to move their limbs more freely and develop muscle strength. Regular exposure to water can also improve coordination and balance. Furthermore, it enhances cardiovascular fitness and respiratory strength, setting a strong foundation for a healthy lifestyle.
- Cognitive Benefits
Beyond the physical advantages, baby swimming also has cognitive benefits. Being in water stimulates the brain and promotes sensory awareness. Babies are exposed to new sights, sounds, and sensations, fostering cognitive development. The social interaction in swimming classes can also improve communication skills as babies interact with their instructors and other children.
- Bonding Time
For parents, baby swimming lessons offer precious bonding time with their little one. The experience of being in the water together strengthens the parent-child relationship, fostering trust and emotional connections. This quality time spent in a unique environment creates lasting memories and enhances the parent-child bond.
- Confidence and Independence
As babies become more comfortable in the water, they gain confidence and independence. The feeling of achieving something new, like floating or kicking their legs, boosts their self-esteem. This newfound confidence can extend beyond the pool, positively impacting their approach to challenges and learning throughout life.
- Better Sleep
Parents know that a well-exercised baby is more likely to sleep well. Swimming tires out babies in a gentle yet effective way. The combination of physical activity and the soothing sensation of water often leads to longer and more restful sleep, which is a blessing for both baby and parent.
- Early Water Adaptation
By introducing babies to water at an early age, you help them develop a lifelong love and comfort around water. This early adaptation reduces the chances of later developing a fear of water, which can be a significant hurdle to overcome in older children.
- Social Interaction
Baby swimming classes are not just for the baby; they also provide an opportunity for parents to meet and connect with other parents. Sharing experiences and advice can be invaluable in the early stages of parenting, and swimming classes create a supportive community for parents.
Baby swimming lessons offer a plethora of benefits for both the child and the parent. From safety and physical development to cognitive stimulation, bonding time, and improved sleep, the advantages are clear. Moreover, introducing babies to water early fosters a love for swimming and water activities that can last a lifetime. So, if you’re a parent, consider enrolling your baby in swimming lessons—it’s an investment that will pay off in countless ways. Dive in, make memories, and watch your baby flourish in the water!
Scuba Diving in Skegness!
When you think of Skegness, crazy golf, fish and chips and ice cream comes to mind, not coral reefs.
Well this hidden gem is hiding in plain sight. Not in the murky brown sea, but in the crystal clear waters of Skegness Aquarium!
If you have ever wondered how your goldfish felt being in a fishbowl, now is your chance to find out as Skegness Aquarium is one of only a few UK aquariums that let visiting divers into their tanks.
There is a big focus on conservation which is why it’s called a “Shark Educational Dive.”
When I say diving, it was more like underwater walking because you don’t need to be a qualified diver to take part in one of their 2 hour experiences. Participants are loaded up with enough weight to keep their feet firmly on the floor of the tank, and their new full-face scuba masks make ear clearing and underwater breathing super easy.
Certified divers can do a more traditional scuba dive if you bring tour own equipment so the option is there. They also offer snorkelling experiences for children as young as 6 years old. The tank itself is very well maintained and the staff are very friendly and knowledgeable.
The Coral Reef of Skegness
We were reminded several times not to wee in our wetsuits as the urea can build up in the tank and harm the fish. I never do this anyway after an unfortunate “wee rash” on a diving holiday. We also washed off any lotions and hair products before entering the tank too. This is their home after all.
The batfish have apparently become very friendly since lockdown, and really enjoy the interaction with divers in the tank. This is why we were all instructed to wear hoods and gloves to stop the “friendly” biting of heads and fingers. They were just checking us out I’m sure.
You get a full tour around the tank, sticking together in a group for the duration of the 40 minute dive. It was amazing to be scuba diving again, it’s not just the batfish that have missed it!
So how do goldfish feel in a bowl? I hardly noticed the people looking in at us, the Marine life in the aquarium was far more entertaining and I only spotted spectators a couple of times during the dive. The goldfish probably don’t remember anyway.
So all in all, it was a brilliant experience and certainly the best thing I’ve ever seen in Skegness.
Shark Encounters
Friendly Batfish
View from the goldfish Bowl
Batfish Kisses
The scariest creature in the tank: The Cyclops Shark!
This was a real eye-opener for me. I had no idea how freaky I looked with my massive camera replacing my head! No wonder I make so many children cry. (This is a joke by the way).
Credit: Richard Ertansel
Underwater picture in The Telegraph:
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