Babybliss
At Aquabliss our initial program for young children is Babybliss. These classes are an excellent bonding period for the learner and their carer. The carer/ parent is an active and vital participant in this process. Each thirty minute lesson will introduce skills through demonstrations, patterning and simple exercises. Skills will be learnt and enjoyed through games, songs and routines to help your child learn.
Age: 6 months - 16 months approximately. Children within this class learn:
• Water familiarisation
• Water safety
• Basic arm and leg actions (gross motor development)
• Balance and simple coordination skills
• Breathing control
• How to relax in the water
• Basic floatation techniques
• Submerging
Age: 16 months and older. In Babybliss 2 children further develop the skills taught in Babybliss 1.
Children learn how to turn within the water focusing on activities which encourage survival and independent
swimming skills. Children also experience more hands on activities with the instructor to prepare them for the Learn to Swim classes (where parents are no longer in the water).
At Home
To assist in preperation and to reinforce activities in a swimming lesson the following activities are encouraged at home when bathing; With the use of the cue "(childs name), ready, go", gradually pour a small cup of water over the childs head. Have some 'dress' rehearsals at home so that your child becomes familiar with what they will experience at swimming lessons, for example wearing aquanaps (disposable or regular nappy swimmers must be worn) in the bath, water on face, playing with toys, singing songs.
Before each lesson
Wake your child at least half an hour before the lesson or make sure your child is alert so that they aren't lethargic for the lesson. Arrive early so that your child can become familiar with the aquatic centre environment. Make sure you are relaxed and ready to go, feed your infant a light snack approximately 30 minutes before the lesson to alleviate hunger without filling them up before their lesson.
What to bring
Pack your bag with the essentials for the swim lesson: Swimwear - Aquanaps are compulsory if child is not toilet trained, a shirt for the adult to wear and a rashshirt for the infant to wear in the water, 2 towels, favourite toy, a bottle of water and some snacks, nappy change needs, warm clothes for after lesson.
During the lesson
The do's
• Enter the pool safely, with your infant at your side
• Always talk to your infant and maintain eye
contact
• Submerge your infants body gradually into the
water
• Keep your child moving so they don't get cold,
always finish on a happy note
The don'ts
• Force your child under the water
• Panic if an unplanned circumstance arises
reassure them and stay calm
