Being in the water is a wonderful sensory time for a baby. It helps develop cognitive and physical awareness, builds confidence and is a great bonding experience. You will be surprised by what your baby can achieve in a short space of time whilst having lots of fun too.

There is a lot of emphasis on water safety in the lessons. Making sure a baby can turn, float and get themselves to the side of the pool with ease is all part of their lesson ‘milestone’ progress.

It’s incredibly rewarding sharing in your baby’s developments and achievements and at your first lesson you will be given a pack that will give you further insight into just what your baby will achieve along with a treasure chest of activities you can enjoy at bath time to associate positive water experiences every step of the way.

Helpful Tips for Parents 

• Babies should wait 1 hour after feeding before swimming. 
• Take a drink or feed your baby after the lessons. Learning to swim is thirsty work! 
• If you baby is not well, or has an ear, chest or eye infection we advise against taking them swimming. And whilst we understand that babies do get sick, we cant refund but we will try our best to offer a make up class for when they get better. 
• Until potty trained, happy nappies together with waterproof nappies are a must! 
• Only one adult can take part in the lesson with their baby but we welcome cheering from the side if, say, Granny wishes to watch too. 
• You don’t have to be a good swimmer to attend the lessons with you baby but inform your Instructor before the lesson so they can offer you and your baby assistance if needed. 
• Don’t worry if your baby doesn’t like the water straight away. Smile, persevere and encourage and they will get there very soon. 
• Your baby will look to you for their que’s. So relax and enjoy yourself and your baby will follow your lead. 
• Bring a favourite bath toy along to your lesson to associate a positive water experience. 
• Take a quick shower after your lesson. This will keep you and baby warm, clean any chlorine off baby’s skin and is a lovely experience for babies who love how the water feels on their fingers and toes. 
• Allow plenty of time for travel and changing so you’re both relaxed and ready for a wonderful lesson. 

Skills for life!

New Beginnings – 0-6 months

What milestones will my baby achieve? 

• I’m relaxed and comfortable in my new environment! 
• I like to float on my back and feel the water all around me. 
• I’ve taken my first little dip underneath. 

Stage 1 – 6-12 months

What milestones will my baby achieve? 

• I’m relaxed and comfortable in my new environment! 
• I can float on my back nice and flat like a little pancake (with a bit of help). 
• I can submerge like a dolphin (with a bit of help). 
• I can do a sitting jump into the water and make a big splash! (You get a little badge with this one!) 
• I can kick my legs up and down on my front and back, (with a bit of help). 
• I can roll over sideways from front to back and back to front, (with a bit of help). 
• I can hold the wall on my own. When my teacher lets go I can swim under the water on my own.

Stage 2 – 1 – 2 years

What milestones will my baby achieve?

• I can float on my back nice and flat like a little pancake, all by myself! 
• I can dive under the water, like a seal (with a bit of help). 
• I can do a standing jump into the water and make a big splash! 
• I am learning to kick with straight legs like a ballerina on my front and back. 
• I can float on my back and stand up again (with a little help). 
• I can roll over sideways from back to front all on my own! 
• I can monkey climb along the sides all by myself! 
• When my teacher lets go, I know to swim to the wall and hold on.

Stage 3 – 2-3 years

What milestones will my baby achieve?

• I can float on my front nice and flat, all by myself! 
• I can do a standing jump into the water and swim back to the side. 
• I can kick my legs all by myself on my front and on my back. 
• I can blow bubbles from my mouth and my nose under the water. 
• I can climb in and out of the water without any help. 
• I can swim 5 metres on my back! 
• I can pick up rings from the bottom of the pool. 
• I can push and glide in the water just like a rocket. 
• I’m now a super swimmer & ready to start big swimming lessons!

Book your Tots swim trial today – call 0208 050 0070!