Contents
He spent nine months floating in his mom’s womb. At birth, it becomes a terrestrial bipedal. But the human being retains the ability to move in an aquatic environment. It would be a shame not to develop it.
The rise of baby swimmers
From 4 months to 6 years old.
The first experiments in adapting young children to an aquatic environment were carried out in France from 1968. Few parents today have never heard of the benefits of “baby swimmers”. A misleading term, since it is not a question of teaching infants to swim, but rather it is a question of promoting their ease in an aquatic environment. The sessions are collective, generally weekly, and last between 20 and 40 minutes. The baby evolves in the water in the company of one or both parents, under the watchful eye of specialized lifeguards, in a pool heated to 32 degrees. Acclimatization is done through play. The supervisors guide the family with their advice but do not intervene very much. Gradually, the little one immerses himself completely, spontaneously practices freediving (over a very short period, of course!), Sketching out locomotion movements … Then, ease and autonomy coming, he varies his games, helping himself accessories made available to them (carpet, ball, “fries”, slide, etc.).
The benefits : the particular charm of this activity lies in the fact that it is practiced with the family, providing rich moments of complicity. This reassures the most timid, whose physical apprehensions vanish more quickly than on dry land. The ease in the water also allows a better reaction if one day a danger arises during swimming. On the other hand, it does not dispense with systematically equipping children with bracelets and / or buoy belts, at sea as in swimming pools!
Even an early swimmer will rarely swim “for real” before 6 years of age; this initiation will however facilitate its learning. If you missed the infant stage, do not hesitate to register your little one at 2, 3, 4 or 5 years old: he will benefit fully from it, even if the beginnings become a little more difficult as the years go by.
Good to know : the baby must have received the second injection of the DT polio vaccine. Unless there is a medical contraindication, this activity is permitted (and even recommended) for babies with disabilities.
Equipment side : a swimsuit (from 5 euros) and a swimming cap (from 3 euros) for the whole family.
4-5 years old: he learns to swim
Knowing how to swim is essential for the safety of the child. And the sooner he learns, the more easily he will overcome his apprehension. The little one, equipped with protections, first evolves in and under water. The activity, essentially fun, based on games eyeing water aerobics, aims to make him overcome his fears. Ease in water determines, more than age, integration into a particular group. Learning swimming movements comes later, when the child feels comfortable and masters the coordination of his limbs (around 6 years old). Then, if he shows interest in swimming, he can continue and improve. The main thing remains that the child does not give up the activity before knowing how to swim well enough to evolve where he has no footing, without protection but without risks. And it comes more or less quickly depending on the children.
The benefits : they are multiple. The very particular freedom of movement that one feels in the water promotes bodily ease and self-confidence.
From a muscular point of view, swimming strengthens the spine, preventing back problems. It develops pulmonary and cardiovascular capacities. Finally, it facilitates daily games and leisure, since children hardly consider a holiday without water.
Good to know : you should never force a child who expresses apprehension. The fear of water is controlled according to the rhythm of each one, by gentleness, in no case by constraint.
Equipment side : a swimsuit (from 5 euros) and a swimming cap (from 3 euros).
From six years old: synchronized swimming
Containing both dance and swimming, this demanding discipline remains almost exclusively female. It attracts small files very comfortable in the aquatic element, not afraid to put their heads under water. Before approaching it, you must already know how to swim well. It is also necessary to be endowed with a good cardiovascular resistance, a great muscular energy, a sense of rhythm and a team spirit. Because the harmony of the group depends on the success of the ballets performed by the swimmers. The chicks (6 -8 years old) of course begin by familiarizing themselves with swimming underwater.
The benefits : to the benefits of swimming are added those of dancing. With the particularity that synchronized swimming sharpens the sense of location in space.
Graceful by definition, it provides an elegant port and develops finesse the musculature. In short, we can hope to obtain a mermaid body in this way!
Good to know: synchronized swimming is a very addictive sport. Little girls are subjected to intensive training, which only enthusiasts resist.
Equipment side : a swimsuit (from 5 euros), a cap (from 3 euros) and swimming goggles (from 3 euros).