WHY BabySplash?
Our classes have been running successfully in Dubai for over 20 years, and were started by Helen Bone-Knell who, on arriving in the UAE in 2003, realized that there were no specalist swim schools in Dubai specifically teaching young children. Drawing on her experience in teaching in the UK, Helen set up a dedicated programme for babies and young children, starting at the Lakes Club in 2003. Since starting, over 5000 babies and toddlers have splashed their way through our unique fun filled lessons, all led by a small passionate team of amazing ‘fully qualified’ female swimming instructors with specalist experience and qualifications in infant swimming.
Our classes are a unique way of introducing young children to water in a fun, creative and safe manner, which both Mum (or Dad) and their little one can enjoy. The benefits of these fun sessions in the water can be far reaching for both parent and little swimmer!
All our classes are child centered, and will move at the level of your child. We do not believe in ‘Conditioning’, which is a one to one method of teaching a child to learn certain actions in the water by repeating them over and over on a regular basis, but rather we strongly believe that if a child is confident in the water they will learn to love water and learn to swim at their own pace in a happy environment in cobination with the encouragement and love of their parents supporting them. We believe in progression through positive encouragement.
By getting young children familiar with the basics of kicking their legs, laying on their backs and tummies, and submerging when appropriate for each child with the support mum or dad close by, these lessons lead naturally to a smooth transition towards formal swimming lessons for little ones from 3.5 years old.
WHAT Age Can We Start ?
Our classes are designed specially for children from 3 months old to 3.5 years.
Young BabySplash: 3 months to 9 months*
BabySplash: 9 months through to 22 months*
ToddlerSplash: 22 months through to 3.5 years*
*All age ranges above are approximate and are always based on the individual child, their abilities and class demands.
We do have a number of babies start earlier than 3 months and so please ring us if you wish to discuss.
Immunisation – There is currently no requirement in the UAE for babies to be immunised before starting swimming.
Please note – Should you have any questions or concerns regarding immunisations and when your child can begin swimming lessons, please contact you doctor to discuss.
BENEFITS of Baby Swimming
Baby Swimming has a number of benefits for you and your baby steming from early water confidence which helps to create a special bond between parent and child. It is additionally well documented that Baby Swimming can help develop strength, muscle tone, lung capacity and co-ordination.
Baby Swimming also offers young children the ability of free movement in water which can help to exercise muscles that would ordinarily not be used in the same way on land. As children grow, swimming helps to increase both body and limb co-ordination and motor development skills, and most parents notice better appetite and sleep patterns after swimming.
LEARNING through Play
Young children can learn to enjoy a whole host of new sensory inputs from early swimming activities. Babies and children alike can enjoy the freedom and texture of the water by simply splashing their hands and feet, and are visually fascinated by bubbles and droplets of water.
During our lessons your little swimmers are able to experience moving their arms and legs in the water without restrictions, and will also learn songs and actions through repetition, developing hand-eye coordination through our teacher led activities with balls, rings, floting toys and especially our ducks! In addition, through play in the water, children begin to develop both an awareness and respect for this new and exciting environment.
WHAT to expect from your classes
Young BabySplash
Our classes give help to develop parents confidence in how to hold and support young babies in the water, building general water confidence in your child by encouraging reaching and grasping, Paddling hands, kicking legs and assisted floating during our classes all help to build the confidence required for short underwater dips which are never forced and always led by the childs level of confidence and ability as their relationship with the water grows.
BabySplash
Following on from the above, our classes help to increase confidence in catching and throwing objects, and paddling arms and blowing bubbles, and we encourage as much independence as possible with floating noodles during our classes. As your child develops in confidence, our teachers will lengthen under water dips including release and glidding underwater, jumping in unaided, encouraging turning, listen to commands and pick up sinking play objects from the pool steps.
ToddlerSplash
Following on from our BabySpash class activities, our ToddlerSplash classes encourage stronger kicking and arm pulls, increased confidentce to put faces in the water, begining short distance swimming independently, jumping in from the side unaided on command, learning to turn back to the side when in the water, back floating, back swimming with aids and picking up objects up from bottom of pool.
WHAT to bring to lessons
1. A ‘parent’ MUST be in the water with their baby or toddler for each lesson.
2. Swim nappies MUST be worn by all children during their lesson. Click here to purchase your swim nappies !!
3. Please bring your own swim towels for you and your child
4. Sun protection i.e a UV swim suits and a hat for children are essential or sun screen.
5. All other swimming equipment required for our lessons is provided by the instructor.
