2007, Issues 3

Educating, Connecting and Supporting families in Monash

Water Play is Fun!

Chris Cooper, Maternal & Child Health

(adapted from the Internet)

Water play is a great way to build co-ordination and help your child get comfortable with his/her body, but it's important to take your cues from your child when introducing them to the water.

Some children love to put their heads under water; for others this is a huge step.

Some love to splash; others prefer to paddle quietly about. Most toddlers love the buoyant feeling they get from being in water -- they can jump higher in water, and come down softer than they can on land. Others just don't like to be all wet. Work out what they are comfortable with and start there.

Introduce your child to some watery animals and encourage them to copy : For example: "Move your flippers and wiggle your tail!" But if they seems reluctant, it's probably best not to push. They will be more likely to love the water when they are older if the choice is theirs.

What you'll need to take

Before your first trip to the swimming pool, phone ahead to find out what facilities are available and if they have a change room.

• A towel
• A snack: swimming makes babies hungry
• Books or toys for older babies
• A few of your baby’s bath toys to play with and don’t forget your nappy bag

Introducing your baby to water

• Make bath time fun. Gently splash water over his body or lay him on his back and move him gently through the water.
• When you first start going to a public pool, make sure you go off-peak. Ask a friend to come with you or join a mum and baby session. If you feel relaxed and confident, your baby will too.
• When you first get in the pool, make sure that your baby's face is close to yours and that you have eye contact, both relax and feel more confident you can extend your arms and swish your baby around.

Making water fun

• Let your baby splash and play with bath toys - throw one a few metres across the pool and 'zoom' him/her through the water to retrieve it.
• Put your mouth under water and show your baby how to blow bubbles. This is an important lesson for babies to learn, as they can't inhale water if they are blowing. For young babies, blow a toy across the water and get him to blow it back, or at least mimic you blowing.
• When your child can sit up, usually at around six months, sit your baby on the side of the pool and sing Humpty Dumpty.
  When you get to the line "Humpty Dumpty had a great fall", lift him down into the water with a splash.
• Lay him / her on their back with the head resting on your shoulder. Encourage him to kick his legs.

What precautions do I need to take?

• Check that the temperature of the water. If unsure ask the pool attendants.
• As soon as your baby starts to shiver, get him/her out of the pool and wrap up warmly.
• Start off with sessions of 10 minutes and build up to 20 minutes. If your baby is under one, avoid staying in for longer than 30 minutes.
• If your baby has a cold or seems unwell, avoid going swimming.
• if your baby has a skin complaint, check with your GP to make sure that the chlorine won't irritate his skin.

Starting lessons

• Monash Aquatic and Recreation Centre
• Oakleigh Recreation Centre
• Clayton Aquatics and Health Club

Page top

Updated: 14 December 2007

[ Up: New Family Connections Newsletter  |   Forward: What is the difference between Preschool and Kindergarten? ]