Team Bath may be home to Olympic and Paralympic swimmers but did you know it is also a place where babies can take their first strokes and gain water confidence?
Parent and child classes take place at the University of Bath’s Sports Training Village every week, with youngsters aged from four months to pre-school enjoying time in the water while also learning the fundamentals of swimming in a safe, warm environment.
Parent-baby Bonding
Swimming is a great way to encourage parent-baby bonding, with plenty of eye and skin contact during the classes, and is not just a good physical activity for babies but also encourages coordination, muscle development and responding to key words.
The 30-minute sessions take place in the Team Bath hydro-pool, a self-contained facility complete with changing area and toilets where the water is heated to a cosy 34°C.
There is a maximum of five children with a parent in the pool, allowing instructors to tailor classes to suit everyone’s needs and help all participants feel relaxed, confident and safe in the water. A variety of methods including songs and structured play are used to teach the fundamentals of swimming in an engaging way.
Early sessions show parents how to hold and support their child in the water, while the youngsters learn balance, flotation and how to rotate. As classes progress, children develop their aquatic breathing and use buoyancy aids to encourage independence.
Pre-school Age
When they reach pre-school age, children can continue their swimming journey at the Sports Training Village by progressing to Team Bath’s ‘Learn to Swim’ programme.
Parent and child classes cost £38.85 per month, paid via direct debit, and lessons take place during term-time only. Thursday morning classes are full, but expressions of interest are now being taken for Wednesday morning classes starting in the new year.
For more information or to register your interest please contact email hidden; JavaScript is required. To find out more about other sporting activities for children with Team Bath Tribe, visit teambath.com/Tribe.