A few days ago, I wrote an article about parents who signed their babies up for all manner of classes to enhance their chances of getting into the right preschool which in turn would lead to the right kindergarten, which in turn would lead to the right elementary school, and so on.
I think in general parents are putting too much pressure on their children to learn too much, too early. Numerous studies show that playing is the best thing for toddlers in order to enhance their development and plain old, free conversation with parents is far better than television.
With that said, there is one class that I would consider beneficial to do and worth the money and that is: baby swimming. I have never had the opportunity to take a swim class with my baby. I honestly didn’t think of putting my first six month old in swim class and by the time I had another 6 month old, I also had a 30 month old and that arrangement would not have worked for the water or for taking classes. By the time I finally got a regular babysittuer. . .I had twins. So alas, I’ve never been able to follow my own advice. But here are just a few reasons I would consider shelling out the bucks to sign us up for baby swim class:
Water Skills = Safety
I don’t know how it’s done, but babies who take swimming lessons early in life, learn to become confident, peaceful and alert in the water. In my opinion, this can only be a good thing.
Kangarooing
There have been numerous benefits documented for infants as old as 18 months whose mothers give them regular skin to skin contact. However, I think unless the baby has a specific need (like illness) , or you’re accustomed to ‘wearing’ your baby, the older they get, the less skin to skin contact they have. Baby swimming promotes this special bonding practice.
Setting an Early Foundation for Fitness
Babies whose families place a priority on exercise and being active grow into children who are active. Baby swimming is one of the few things that an infant can do but it also communicates a message to the baby when he sees you in the water. Don’t underestimate your baby’s ability to understand and gather information! It does make a difference.
There have been numerous other benefits touted, these are just a few. So if it were me, I would pass up the gymnastics, ballet and kinder music classes and go with the swimming to reap the most benefits for my child.
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