We have observed that the best age to start babies is between six months and 12 months old. Formal instructions may start when your child is at least six (6) months. The baby is able to hold up its head and the level of alertness has increased. As parent, you are more comfortable in caring for your child at this level. At this stage your child should be comfortable in the water.

However, a window of opportunity for smooth learning still exists up to approximately 18 months old (especially for water adjustment and initial submersions). At approximately 19 months to 24 months toddlers can begin to enter the "challenging twos" phase. It is easier to teach water adjustment and breath control before this stage begins. However, it is never too late when utilizing a creative and interactive curriculum. The group class structure works miracles and motivates children to participate with their peers, at any age.

We always remind parents:

• Keep one hand on the child at all times. Children are very quick and can be running down the pool deck before parent or teacher can get out of the water to catch them.
• Parents and tots should stay with the class and not wander away.

Parents should stay with the child, both in and out of the water. Remember, after taking lessons a child loves the memories of this fun time and wants to experience it again. Watch them like a hawk around any water. Be prepared for your child to jump into the water, fully clothed, expecting you to help them as you do in the swimming lessons.

We are not in the water long enough for the chlorine to be a problem unless you or your child has chlorine sensitivity. For sensitive skin, Jojoba Oil and Vitamin E used before and after swimming provides protection.

Just as you would do for any other physical activity, your child should be cleared by your doctor before enrolling in swimming classes. By age of six (6) months, most babies have received preliminary vaccinations. Before you go swimming, make sure that you and your child are free of contagious diseases and that neither of you has open cuts or sores.

Do pack a swim bag for your child which you can reload after each swim lesson. It should consist of a swimsuit, towel, swimming nappies (disposable or reusable), a change of clothes and snacks. We have swim diapers (both disposable and reusable) available for purchase. Please inquire from our designated swim teacher or venue coordinator.

Parents and caregiver are required to wear the proper swimming attire. Jewelry, especially bulky rings are not allowed. Please keep fingernails trimmed and short.

We encourage students and their parents to arrive 15 minutes before the scheduled lesson. Infants do not need to take a shower because they chill very quickly. Older toddlers and their parents should soap-shower. For a more enjoyable swimming lesson, make sure that babies have eaten at least 30-minutes before the lesson.

Aside from pool space being limited, part of the swim program is teaching your child water safety and discipline… and that starts from the moment they step in the pool vicinity. Let your child stay in the waiting area and explain to them that they would need to wait for their turn. Do not allow your child to wander on the pool deck as the instructor will take roll call and then start the class as soon as previous class is done. Enter and leave the pool promptly at your lesson time.

Babies are highly intelligent and will learn a remarkable amount, not just about swimming but about every aspect of their association with water and the people involved in their learning experiences. They increase their listening, language and communication skills. They learn to maneuver their bodies in a three-dimensional space and cope with weightlessness. They will know how it feels to float, glide, drop through air, turn upside down... all with the security of a hug, encouragement and praise from the parent or caregiver afterwards.

As they progress, they will learn to hold their breath on the cue words ‘(name), ready, go.’ They will learn to maneuver a short distance through the water and get air. They will hang onto a wall or object for support. They will learn to climb out by themselves. As our young children learn these skills, they are much less likely to neither panic nor develop a lasting fear of water should they be in a water accident.

We have encountered a lot of people who ask if their babies are going to learn to swim the crawl stroke -- to them, that is swimming. In infant-toddler terms, swimming to us is the ability to move through the water, harmoniously at their own time. Initially, for very short distances. In the younger stages, the primary mode of propulsion is kicking. For those families who continue to practice, their child will eventually be able jump in, turn around and swim back to the side.

Some babies who started prior to their first birthday, by the age of 25 months, can swim comfortably holding their breath over 20 seconds covering long distances. They come up after the swim relaxed and calm (please do not try this at home). This took hundreds of hours of practice and very gradual lengthening of the swims. Babies should finish each swim happy, not panting and not taking in any water.

The more frequently you take your child to swim, the more natural the learning will be. We’ve observed through the years, particularly at the start, optimal learning consists of practicing frequent (3 to 4 times a week) for 30 minutes each session, over a course of weeks and months, gradually adding and refining skills. For frightened children or those who have had bad water experience require longer time to overcome apprehension and slowly building trust and comfort.

Swimming lessons together with your child will be one of the happiest and most rewarding experiences of your life. You are giving a full 30 minutes of uninterrupted playtime and direct attention to your child. Talk enthusiastically about “going to the lesson” and “seeing” the instructor. Your child may not understand your words but the happiness is contagious. Your attitude makes the success of the My Baby & Me lessons.

No one is ever drown-proof. Utmost caution must always be in effect in and around water. Adult supervision and barriers between your child and the pool are your best defense for reducing the risk against an aquatic accident. However, as your child reaches new levels in their swimming skills, they will eventually be able to perform maneuvers which can increase their chances of getting to safety if an unsupervised water entry were to occur. These achievements should never give parents or caregivers a false sense of security. Swim programs must make it their top priority to educate parents on all aspects of water safety. (i.e. supervision, barriers, pool safety fencing, CPR and child centered swimming lessons).

It is vital that the well being of the baby is never sacrificed to impose the accelerated and premature acquisition of these safety skills!

Repeat your child’s name often for the instructor. Always have a ready SMILE! Encouragement and approval of the parent or caregiver is the only way that a baby knows that he/she is doing the right thing. Remember, you will be trained to become the teacher for your child. You will receive guidance from the instructor but most of the actual handling of your child will be done by you. This promotes bonding, good parenting skills and ability to read infant’s cues.

You will learn to appreciate and enjoy every small accomplishment and success from your child’s swimming lessons. Note that no two babies develop water skills at the same speed. You will learn the steps to good water adjustment and take your child through each step at their own pace. You will build a wonderful rapport together and have more fun than you ever thought possible.

Even before the first lesson, hug your baby and stand in a warm shower with him/her. Later, in an unfilled bathtub or shower, let the gentle, warm water run over your child as he/she plays with some favorite toys. When practicing in a pool, follow the skills you both have learned in class. Use the same progression skills in the same order for the practice that you use for the lessons. Babies learn through routine. Repeat the vocabulary from the lessons and sing the songs so your child knows exactly what is expected from every cue word. This is especially important if the child is fearful, uncertain or very shy in class. Note that if practicing in the home pool, for those babies comfortable being underwater, limit submersion to a maximum of 3 times. Make sessions meaningful by your enthusiasm.

Crying is the only way a child can express surprise, disappointment, hunger, or any number of other things. They may be cold or tired. It does not necessarily mean the child doesn’t like the swimming lessons. We will enthusiastically try each skill that is introduced in a lesson three times before determining that we should put it off for another day because of crying.

Choking and swallowing water doesn’t happen very often and if the directions of the instructor are carried out. We will give you the knowledge to know the timing of skills. If a child does cough, we do not raise the arm or slap the back or give very much attention to it (except to allow him/her to cough). Sneezing is also a natural process. It ejects water out of the nose.