Toys are Tools not Distractions
This is a subtitle for your new post
At Aquatots we understand children learn fastest through play. Play is what pulls together the logical and creative parts of the brain. For young children and babies, play is often a full body activity that helps them develop skills that they will need later on in life. The use of fine a gross motor skills while participating in our programs is enhanced by the use of equipment, toys and games. The tricky bit is the babies and children are developing the skills (and many more) that we require without even realising it most of the time as they are enjoying their time.
The Aquatots program has been designed to maximise your child's enjoyment, participation and development. We use toys and themes to make the classes fun and engaging. The toys and equipment we use not only assists babies in participation but also have other developmental advantages.
Toys that float can be used to teach cause and effect, when the toy is splashed it moves away or if it goes under it will pop back to the surface by playing with these types of toys your baby is learning how to control objects and what the cause of their manipulation is.
Floating toys are also great to encourage movement from your baby. When the floating toy is out of reach and you are not assisting your baby to move towards the toy they want, your baby will start to try and move by using their arms and or legs. When this occurs we encourage parents to make sure your baby gets to the toy as this will be their reward for propulsion through the water.
Floating toys can also be used as guides, Babies are very visual and they will copy what they see or follow the toy they want, by moving the floating toy and showing your baby where to go with the toy you will have their attention and a visual instruction of what to do.
Toys that sink are great to encourage depth perception and breath control. Encouraging your child to reach under the water to collect a toy works on the development of their depth perception.
Showing your baby how to hold their breath and duck underwater to collect a toy teaches them correct breath control for swimming. When your child is ready the sinking toy can be used to control their breath and master basic breathing patterns for swimming, (when the toy is under, the baby ducks under and when the toy pops up, the baby pops up for a breath).
Sinking toys are also a great tool to use to gain correct head position when swimming. If the toys are on the bottom for the babies to swim over they will look down. Sinking toys can also be used to help your baby gain confidence with their own buoyancy.
Once you have helped your baby under to collect the toy, if you release them and allow them to resurface on their own they get an understanding of how their buoyancy works and become very comfortable in the water.
Mats, boards and islands are great tools to work on balance, core strength and confidence. Even if you little one is just sitting or standing on them they have to engage their core muscles to stay up right on the unsteady surface. These things can also be used for grip strength and floating.
Picking toys up, catching and touching toys and kicking toys work on muscle development and memory, while also helping to develop co-ordination. Swimming is the one sport that gives a complete body work out. As soon as we start to see the toys and equipment as tools of the trade rather than distractions you will find that they enhance your babies over all learning experience and development.
Allow your baby to explore the toys and what they do, allow them to have a go be a part of this exciting journey but try not to interfere and do it for them if they are struggling.
The number one rule in your swim class is to never get into a power struggle with your child. We only have 30 minutes to get the best out of your child and you will not win a fight in that time. If your child wants to use the toys or hold a toy, allow them to. Use the toys to encourage, distract or reward instead of seeing them as something that is hindering your child's swimming progression.
If you are unsure on how to use the toys available for the lesson plan please feel free to ask your instructor or contact us via email.
Certifications
More Links
All Rights Reserved | Aquatots
