Water Safety and Active Youth: Why Early Skills Matter

Supporting Children Through Big Transitions: From Early Learning to New Environments

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 05:10:13 GMT

Supporting Children Through Big Transitions: From Early Learning to New Environments

Summary: Starting something new can feel overwhelming for young children, and transitions like beginning childcare or trying a new activity often bring changes in behaviour. With the right support, including predictable routines, caring adults, and gentle preparation, children can move through these changes with confidence. Structured activities like swimming lessons provide safe environments where children build emotional resilience and trust in unfamiliar settings at their own pace.

Starting something new can feel overwhelming for young children. Even a small shift in routine might seem like a huge leap from their perspective. As a result, many parents notice changes in behaviour when their child begins childcare or tries an activity for the first time.

The good news is that transitions are a normal part of growing up. With the right support, your child can move through change with confidence. Understanding what makes these moments challenging is the first step toward helping children successfully navigate transitions.

Why Transitions Can Be Challenging

Children rely on routine, familiarity, and trusted adults to feel safe. When any of these things change, it can create uncertainty and anxiety. For this reason, a child who seems perfectly happy at home might become clingy or unsettled in a new setting.

This response is completely normal. Research from the Australian Institute of Family Studies shows that adjusting to new environments is a process for children, with some settling quickly while others take more time and support. These feelings usually ease over time, especially when children receive consistent reassurance from the adults around them.

The Role of Early Learning Environments

Quality early learning centres play a vital role in helping children through transitions. Centres like Kirinari Early Childhood Centre provide consistent daily routines, nurturing educators, and safe spaces where children can explore at their own pace.

Over time, these environments help children build independence and emotional resilience. The predictable structure of an early learning program also gives children a sense of control during a time that might otherwise feel uncertain. As children form bonds with educators and peers, they begin to feel secure enough to take small risks and try new things.

How Swimming Supports Children Through Transitions

Structured activities offer another powerful way to build confidence in children during times of change. Swimming lessons introduce a new environment with clear routines and supportive instructors, making them an ideal 'first activity' for young children navigating change.

Aquatots programs are designed with emotional readiness in mind. Children progress from parent-accompanied classes to independent lessons at their own pace. This gradual approach mirrors the broader transition experience and helps children learn to trust new adults in unfamiliar settings.

The pool creates a unique learning environment. Water naturally slows children down, providing gentle sensory input that helps regulate the nervous system. The repetitive nature of swimming strokes and breath control builds focus and emotional regulation. Together, these elements prepare children for the kinds of challenges they face when starting childcare or school.

Beyond confidence, swimming also builds physical coordination and the ability to follow instructions. These skills transfer directly into other new environments, giving children tools they can use wherever they go.

Practical Ways to Support Your Child

There are several simple strategies that can make transitions smoother for your family.

Prepare gently. Talk about what to expect in age-appropriate language. You might use picture books, short stories, or a visit to the new setting before the first day. For swim lessons, show your child photos of the pool or talk about what they'll do in class.

Keep goodbyes short and consistent. A calm, predictable farewell routine helps your child understand that you will always come back. In contrast, long or emotional goodbyes can increase anxiety for both of you.

Build daily routines at home. Predictable mealtimes, bedtimes, and morning rituals give children a sense of stability that carries with them wherever they go. When everything else feels new, familiar routines become anchors.

Allow plenty of adjustment time. Most children need several weeks to settle into a new routine. Some children warm up quickly, while others need more time to observe before fully participating. Both approaches are completely normal.

Work closely with educators and instructors. Share information about your child's preferences, comfort items, and any concerns you might have. The adults supporting your child can then respond in ways that feel familiar and reassuring.

Why Familiarity Builds Confidence

Familiar environments help children feel safe, capable, and ready to engage with the world around them. When a child knows what to expect, they spend less energy managing worry and more energy learning and connecting with others.

For this reason, both early learning centres and swimming programs use predictable formats. Warm-up activities, skill practice, and cool-down routines give children a framework they can rely on each visit. Over time, this familiarity becomes the foundation for genuine confidence.

At Aquatots, instructors greet children by name, follow consistent lesson structures, and celebrate progress in ways that feel personal. This consistency helps children settle faster and engage more fully, especially during times of broader change in their lives.

Early Exposure Builds Awareness and Safety

Confidence in new environments also connects to safety. Water safety remains essential for Australian children , and early exposure to water builds both awareness and respect for aquatic environments. Children who learn water skills from a young age are better equipped to recognise risk and respond safely.

Starting these lessons early gives children the chance to develop life-saving skills in a supportive, structured setting. In turn, parents gain peace of mind knowing their child is building both confidence and safety awareness at the same time.

Confidence Grows Through Supported Change

Children don't just cope with transitions. They grow through them. Every new environment, every unfamiliar face, and every small challenge overcome adds to a child's belief in their own ability.

With consistent routines, caring adults, and supportive programs, your child can navigate change with resilience. Whether they're settling into early learning or taking their first swimming lesson, the key remains the same: make it feel safe, keep it predictable, and confidence will follow.

At Aquatots, we've watched thousands of children move through transitions with their families. Some jump in on day one. Others watch quietly from the edge for weeks before they're ready. Both paths are completely normal, and both lead to the same place: a child who feels capable, confident, and ready for whatever comes next.

If your child is navigating a big transition or you're looking for a supportive environment where they can build confidence at their own pace, we'd love to help. Learn more about our approach to teaching young swimmers or get in touch to find the right program for your family.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do children struggle with transitions like starting childcare?

Children rely on routine, familiarity, and trusted adults to feel safe. When any of these things change, it can create uncertainty and anxiety. This response is completely normal, and most children settle over time with consistent reassurance and support.

How can I prepare my child for their first swimming lesson?

Talk about what to expect in age-appropriate language, show them photos of the pool, and explain what they'll do in class. Keep your goodbye short and consistent, and remember that some children jump in immediately while others need several weeks to observe before fully participating.

How long does it take for children to adjust to new environments?

Most children need several weeks to settle into a new routine. Some warm up quickly, while others need more time to observe before fully engaging. Both approaches are completely normal, and patience during this adjustment period is key.

Can swimming lessons help with other transitions like starting school?

Yes. Swimming builds confidence, teaches children to follow instructions, and helps them trust new adults in unfamiliar settings. The physical coordination, focus, and emotional regulation developed in the pool transfer directly into other new environments like childcare and school.

What should I tell my child's instructor or educator about their personality?

Share information about your child's preferences, comfort items, any fears or anxieties, and what helps them feel calm. Let them know whether your child warms up quickly or needs more observation time. This helps educators and instructors respond in ways that feel familiar and reassuring to your child.

Why Community Matters: Helping Kids Feel Seen, Supported, and Confident

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 14:57:42 GMT

Why Community Matters: Helping Kids Feel Seen, Supported, and Confident

Summary: The importance of community for kids starts long before the classroom. Every child needs more than lessons and skill-building to thrive. They also need to feel safe, supported, and included. Yet confidence does not come from pressure or performance. Instead, it grows from belonging.

When children feel connected, something shifts. They stand a little taller, try a little harder, and engage a little more. Research from Baumeister and Leary (1995) confirmed that belonging ranks alongside food and safety as a fundamental human need. For young children, this need shows up remarkably early. So what does this mean for families? It means the importance of community for kids shapes everything from self-esteem to emotional resilience.

Importance of Community for Kids in Everyday Settings

Community does not require a grand gesture or a large group. For children, community looks like familiar faces at a weekly activity, a trusted instructor who knows their name, and a space where they know what to expect.

Australia's Early Years Learning Framework, Belonging, Being and Becoming , places belonging at the centre of early childhood development. Children who experience strong connections develop a stronger sense of identity. This is why consistent, relationship-rich environments carry so much weight. They give children a place where they are known, not just taught.

How Swimming Classes Build Belonging

Swim classes offer something rare in a child's week: the same instructor, the same peers, and the same routine, term after term. Over time, this consistency builds genuine emotional safety. Children stop asking "Will I be okay?" and start thinking "I belong here."

Research by Ahnert, Pinquart, and Lamb (2006) found that children form genuine attachment relationships with non-parental caregivers. These bonds strengthen over several weeks of consistent contact. That is exactly how a swim school community works . An instructor who greets your child by name and celebrates their milestones becomes a trusted figure. A Griffith University study of 7,000 children under five also found that young swimmers were months ahead of non-swimming peers in cognitive development. The importance of community for kids shows clearly here, because learning happens within a supportive group.

How Performing Arts Build Social Confidence

While swimming builds belonging through routine and physical mastery, performing arts build confidence through expression and collaboration. Drama, dance, and music give children a chance to contribute to something bigger than themselves.

Research published in Developmental Science found that dramatic play significantly improved emotional regulation in preschool children. Meanwhile, a University of Chicago study observed that adults began seeing children differently after watching them perform. The importance of community for kids is especially visible in these settings. A shy child who would not speak up in a classroom might blossom on stage when surrounded by supportive peers. Programmes like those offered by Perform Australia create exactly this kind of encouraging environment.

Why Feeling Seen Matters

The psychological concept of "mattering" captures what happens when a child feels noticed. Psychologist Gordon Flett (2022) described mattering as a psychological shield, built from three elements: someone notices you exist, someone sees you as important, and someone depends on you.

When children feel invisible, the effect runs deep. Neuroscience research shows that social exclusion activates the same brain regions as physical pain. On the other hand, children who feel seen participate more and develop stronger self-esteem. The importance of community for kids rests on this foundation. Whether in a swim clas s or on a stage, being recognised builds confidence no individual lesson can replicate.

Routine, Familiarity, and Confidence

Consistency is one of the most underrated confidence builders for young children. Research confirms that predictable routines lower anxiety and help children feel secure, freeing up energy for learning and exploration.

Weekly swimming lessons deliver this predictability. The same warm pool, the same welcoming faces, and the same progressive structure create a rhythm children rely on. As their skills grow within this stable setting, so does their belief in themselves. Understanding the importance of community for kids helps parents see that progress is not just about strokes or grades. It is about the environment surrounding the learning.

Confidence Grows Through Belonging

Children do not need to be the best in the room. They need to feel like they belong in the room. When a child walks into a swim class and sees their instructor smile, or steps onto a stage and hears classmates cheer, something powerful happens. They start to believe they matter.

The importance of community for kids is not a theory. It is what parents see every week when their children grow a little braver and a little more sure of who they are. At Aquatots, we have witnessed this for more than two decades. Our community of families, instructors, and young swimmers proves that belonging is where confidence begins.

Swimming and ASD: Supporting Sensory Regulation and Body Awareness

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 07:24:44 GMT

Swimming and ASD: Supporting Sensory Regulation and Body Awareness

Summary: Swimming for autism children offers something most land-based activities simply cannot match. For children on the autism spectrum, the world often feels louder, brighter and more intense than it does for their peers.

Sensory experiences like sudden noises, unexpected touch or bright overhead lights can feel overwhelming. On the other hand, some children seek out extra movement or deep pressure just to feel grounded. Either way, the right environment makes a real difference.

That is where water comes in. A warm, calm pool provides consistent sensory input that helps many children feel deeply soothed. Rather than replacing therapy, swimming for autism children creates a space for comfort, connection and gradual growth.

Understanding Sensory Regulation

Every child processes the world through their senses. For children with ASD, though, that processing often works differently.

Some children feel too much. They become overwhelmed by certain sounds, textures or visual patterns. Others feel too little and seek out intense movement or pressure to register sensation. Many children experience a mix of both.

This is sensory regulation , and it shapes how a child feels, moves and responds throughout the day. When sensory input becomes unpredictable or excessive, children may withdraw, become distressed or struggle to focus. Gentle, rhythmic movement is one of the most effective ways to help the body find balance again.

Swimming for Autism Children: Why Water Feels Calming

Water surrounds the body with gentle, even pressure from every direction. This consistent input works similarly to a weighted blanket, helping the nervous system settle into a calmer state. Unlike busy land environments, there are no sudden changes in touch or unexpected textures beneath the surface.

At the same time, warm water (around 32°C) relaxes muscles and reduces physical tension. Buoyancy takes pressure off joints as well, creating a sense of lightness many children find freeing. Sound also travels differently in an aquatic environment, softening sharp echoes and sudden noises that often cause distress.

For children who feel overwhelmed on land, wate r provides a s ensory experience that feels predictable, secure and manageable. These qualities make swimming for autism children especially valuable as a calming, regulating activity.

Building Body Awareness Through Movement

Many children with ASD find it harder to sense where their body is in space. Proprioception, or body awareness, affects balance, coordination and confidence in everyday movement. Swimming naturally supports this development because water provides resistance in every direction.

Each kick, reach and rotation gives the body feedback it might not receive on land. Over time, this helps children develop a clearer sense of how their body moves. Breath control activities like blowing bubbles also build awareness of internal sensations, strengthening a child's connection to their own body.

Most importantly, these gains in body awareness often carry over beyond the pool. Everyday tasks like getting dressed, navigating playground equipment and sitting comfortably at school can all benefit. This is one reason swimming for autism children supports development well beyond stroke technique.

Predictability and Routine in the Water

For many children with ASD, knowing what comes next is essential. Unexpected changes can trigger anxiety and make participation feel unsafe. Structured swim lessons offer a naturally predictable environment with clear routines.

Each lesson follows the same familiar sequence with the same instructor. Warm-up activities come first, and every skill builds on the one before. This predictability creates emotional safety, which is why swimming for autism children works so well in consistent settings.

When children feel prepared and secure, they become far more willing to engage, explore and try new things. Consistent scheduling, warm water temperatures and small class sizes all reinforce that sense of stability. A calm, purpose-built pool reduces the sensory unpredictability that makes many public facilities challenging.

Confidence Through Safe Exploration

Progress in the water looks different for every child. For one child, putting their face in the water for the first time is a huge milestone. For another, floating independently or completing a full lap marks a breakthrough moment.

Swimming for autism children respects each child's pace and celebrates every achievement along the way. When children succeed at their own speed, trust builds between child and instructor. Confidence grows through repeated positive experiences, and a willingness to try new things gradually extends well beyond the pool.

A Supportive Environment for Growth

Swimming for autism children provides far more than physical skill development. It offers calm, structure and a genuine chance to feel comfortable in the body.

For many families, the pool becomes one of the few places where their child feels truly at ease. Whether starting as a baby from 6 weeks of age or beginning later in childhood, the benefits of a warm, supportive aquatic environment remain the same. Every child deserves a space where they feel safe, capable and supported. Swimming can be exactly that.

Building Confident Toddlers Through Music, Movement, and Water Play

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 06:08:26 GMT

Building Confident Toddlers Through Music, Movement, and Water Play

Summary: Building confidence in toddlers does not happen overnight. Instead, it grows through small challenges, repetition, and encouragement. Research from Griffith University found that children who started swimming early were up to 20 months ahead of their peers across key developmental areas. Meanwhile, a longitudinal study of over 3,000 Australian children showed that shared music activities between ages two and three predicted stronger social and attention skills by age five. Building confidence in toddlers starts with the right experiences during these early years.

Why Toddlers Learn Best Through Movement

Toddlers are not designed to sit still. Instead, they learn through moving, touching, splashing, and exploring everything around them. During the first five years, the brain forms more than one million new neural connections every second. Movement-based activities strengthen these pathways because they engage multiple senses at the same time.

For example, when your child dances to a song or kicks through water, their brain processes touch, balance, sound, and spatial awareness all at once. Studies confirm that pairing physical actions with learning produces stronger memory retention than passive instruction. This is exactly why movement plays such a central role in building confidence in toddlers. Every jump, splash, and clap teaches their body and brain to work together.

How Music Supports Early Social Confidence

Music classes give toddlers something powerful: the chance to join in and feel part of a group. Singing familiar songs teaches children to follow patterns, take turns, and express themselves freely. Over time, they absorb a simple but important lesson: "I can do this."

A 2025 study in the Journal of Health and Physical Literacy found that early music programs also support physical literacy, including balance, coordination, and body awareness. Programs like Maggie Moo Music Tuggeranong offer structured, sensory-rich sessions designed for babies through to preschoolers. These sessions combine rhythm, creative play, and movement in ways that directly contribute to building confidence in toddlers. Even singing action songs during bath time at home can bridge the gap between music and water comfort.

How Water Play Builds Courage

Swimming introduces your child to challenges they can manage. Getting water on their face, floating on their back, or kicking to the wall are all small victories that add up over time. Each one sends a clear message: "I was nervous, and I did it."

Bandura's self-efficacy research shows these mastery experiences are the most powerful way to build lasting self-belief. At Aquatots, our baby and toddler swimming lessons are designed around emotional readiness rather than rushing through skills. Children learn at their own pace in warm, calm pools with qualified instructors who know them by name. This gentle, child-led approach is fundamental to building confidence in toddlers through water.

Body Awareness and Coordination

Music builds rhythm and timing. Water builds spatial awareness and physical control. Together, these experiences support balance, coordination, and motor planning.

When a toddler claps to a beat in music class, they develop bilateral coordination, using both sides of the body in sync. When they float or kick in the pool, they learn where their body is in space. Sport Australia's Physical Literacy Framework recognises swimming as one of the most accessible early-age activities for building these foundational movement skills. Building confidence in toddlers depends on this kind of physical foundation, because children who feel capable in their bodies tend to feel more capable everywhere.

Social Skills Through Group Learning

Both music and swim classes place toddlers in structured group settings. As a result, they learn to watch other children, follow instructions, wait for their turn, and participate alongside peers.

Research shows that children build self-belief partly by observing similar peers succeeding.

When your toddler sees another child jump into the pool, it becomes easier to imagine doing it themselves. Our pre-school sw imming pr ogram creates exactly this kind of supportive social environment. Children gain confidence not only from their instructor but also from the encouragement of their classmates.

Building Confidence in Toddlers Through Everyday Experiences

Confidence does not come from pressure. It comes from trying, practising, and succeeding in environments that feel safe. Music, movement, and water play give toddlers the space to grow at their own pace. By age five, research shows that a child's self-esteem is already as strong as an adult's. That makes these early years critical for building confidence in toddlers.

You do not have to choose between music and swimming. The neuroscience points in one direction: children who experience structured, sensory-rich activities develop stronger foundations for learning and resilience. These experiences shape children who feel capable, curious, and ready for new challenges.

Ready to start your child's water confidence journey? Learn what to expect at their first lesson or explore our programs for every age and stage.

Cross-Training for Kids: From Water Skills to Aerial Skills

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 05:12:27 GMT

Cross-Training for Kids: From Water Skills to Aerial Skills

Summary: Elite athletes cross-train. That's no secret. Swimmers lift weights. Runners do yoga. Footballers hit the pool between matches. Yet cross-training isn't reserved for adults chasing performance goals. Children benefit from it too, often in deeper ways. For kids, the purpose shifts away from competition. Instead, it centres on development. When young bodies move through different environments, they build physical tools that no single sport can provide on its own.

What Is Cross-Training for Kids?

Cross-training for kids means exposing children to different movement environments so they develop well-rounded physical literacy. Rather than locking a child into one sport from an early age, this approach encourages variety across complementary activities.

The science supports this strongly. A 2022 meta-analysis of more than 6,000 athletes found that world-class adult performers had practised multiple sports as children and started their primary sport later than peers who peaked young but faded. Meanwhile, research published in Pediatrics shows that highly specialised young athletes face an 81% greater risk of overuse injuries. Beyond injury prevention, multi-sport participation builds motor skill diversity and keeps children engaged in physical activity for longer. In short, variety protects young bodies and growing minds alike.

The Benefits of Water-Based Training

Swimming stands apart because it can start so early. Babies as young as six weeks can begin water familiarisation, and the aquatic environment offers developmental advantages that land-based activities simply cannot match.

Water reduces body weight by roughly 90%, so infants and toddlers can practise reaching, floating, and rotating before they master those movements on dry ground. At the same time, water provides over 600 times the resistance of air, creating natural strength training without stressing joints or growth plates. A landmark Griffith University study tracking 7,000 children under five found that young swimmers were 6 to 15 months ahead of peers in cognitive and motor development. Additionally, swimming builds cardiovascular endurance, core stability, breath control, and whole-body coordination through safe, low-impact conditioning.

The Benefits of Circus-Based Training

Where swimming develops the body in a buoyant, horizontal environment, circus and aerial arts build strength against gravity in vertical space. Children who train on silks, trapeze, or balance equipment develop upper-body and grip strength by supporting their own body weight. They also sharpen dynamic balance, spatial orientation, and creative movement patterns.

Research consistently backs these outcomes. A 2023 scoping review covering 42 circus interventions for young people found physical or social-emotional improvements in every single study examined. Furthermore, a Canadian study comparing circus-based physical education against standard PE found that circus students outperformed peers in 15 of 18 movement skills. Circus training is structured yet playful, and its non-competitive nature appeals to children who might disengage from traditional team sports.

Canberra families can explore circus classes for children from birth to teens at Warehouse Circus , with programs running at Chifley and Kaleen.

Why Different Environments Build Adaptability

The real power of combining swimming and circus lies in how these environments challenge the body in opposite ways.

Water means horizontal movement, buoyancy, and resistance. Circus means vertical movement, gravity, and suspension. When children switch between these settings, their nervous systems learn to adapt rapidly. This process strengthens neural pathways responsible for balance, coordination, and spatial awareness.

Moving between environments also teaches children to adjust their balance strategies, manage fear in unfamiliar positions, solve physical problems in real time, and regulate their emotions under challenge. A 2023 review in Children confirmed that vestibular connections in the brain continue developing until adolescence, and this development depends on varied movement stimulation. Both swimming and aerial activities rank among the most effective vestibular stimulators available to young children.

Avoiding Burnout Through Variety

Around 70% of young athletes drop out of organised sport by age 13. Burnout and overuse injuries drive much of this attrition. Children who sample multiple activities throughout childhood are far more likely to stay physically active into their teens and beyond.

Variety prevents the repetitive strain that comes from repeating identical movements year after year. Equally important, it prevents the mental fatigue that builds when training feels like a grind rather than an adventure. Rotating between the pool and the aerial studio keeps movement fresh, fun, and full of new challenges.

More Tools, More Confidence

Cross-training for kids isn't about pushing children harder. It's about giving them more tools. Greater strength. Sharper awareness. Real confidence in what their bodies can do.

Swimming and circus together offer a powerful, balanced foundation. One builds endurance and control through water. The other builds aerial strength and spatial awareness through gravity. Together, they develop adaptable, resilient children who are ready for whatever physical challenge comes next.

Frequently Asked Questions

Water Safety and Active Youth: Why Early Skills Matter

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 08:13:58 GMT

Water Safety and Active Youth: Why Early Skills Matter

Summary: Water safety is a critical life skill for children in Australia, where water environments are part of everyday life. Early swimming lessons help children build confidence, breath control, and calm responses around water while developing essential survival skills. When early swim education is combined with active youth programs that promote responsibility and decision-making, children gain the physical ability and mindset needed to stay safe and confident around water throughout their lives.

Water safety for children isn't optional in Australia. It's a life skill.

From beaches and backyard pools to rivers and weekend gatherings, water surrounds Australian families every single day. Water safety for children should start long before a child's first pool party or school camp. Building water confidence early gives young people the tools they need to stay calm, stay aware, and enjoy everything our waterways have to offer safely.

At Aquatots, we see firsthand how early swimming lessons shape confident, capable kids. When combined with active youth programs from organisations like PCYC NSW , these programs create a safety foundation that lasts well beyond childhood.

Water Safety for Children Starts Earlier Than You Think

Drowning remains one of the leading causes of preventable death among Australian children . While those numbers are confronting, they also point to a clear opportunity. Early exposure to water in a safe, supervised environment reduces fear and builds familiarity over time.

Children who begin learning water skills from as young as six weeks develop a natural comfort that older beginners often struggle to match. The earlier a child learns to float, kick, and breathe with control, the stronger their instinctive response becomes. These aren't just swimming skills. They're survival skills. And importantly, they're far easier to develop when a child's brain is still in its most adaptive stage.

Gentle, evidence-based swim programs introduce water safety for children through methods that prioritise emotional readiness alongside physical development. At Aquatots, we never rush a child's progress. We meet them where they are and build from there.

Beyond Survival: What Early Swimming Teaches

Swimming develops far more than the ability to move through water. It also builds awareness, risk assessment, composure under pressure, and physical endurance. A child who has learned to control their breathing in the pool is better equipped to stay calm during an unexpected moment near water.

These lessons carry real weight beyond the pool edge. Teaching water safety for children means helping young people read their environment, understand their own limits, and make decisions under stress. That kind of thinking doesn't come from a single safety talk. It comes from repeated, structured practice in a supportive setting where confidence grows before speed.

Learn to swim programs that embed safety into every session deliver stronger outcomes than those that treat it as an occasional add-on. Every lesson at Aquatots is built around this principle: safety first, skills second, confidence always.

Active Youth and Responsibility

Organisations like PCYC NSW build programs on the belief that active young people become responsible young people. Through sport, leadership training, and community engagement, children develop discipline, decision-making, and a genuine sense of accountability to those around them.

These qualities connect directly to preventive safety education. A young person who has learned to assess risk on a basketball court or follow instructions in a gymnastics class carries that same awareness to the beach, the river, or the backyard pool. Safety isn't a single skill. It's a mindset that grows through consistent participation in structured, supervised programs.

When active youth development and early swim education work together, children build both the physical capability and the mental framework they need to protect themselves.

The Link Between Confidence and Safety

Children who feel capable are far less likely to panic. That principle sits at the heart of both early swim education and community sport.

In the water, confidence shows up as breath control, emotional regulation, and self-trust. In community programs, it shows up as awareness, team responsibility, and the ability to act under pressure. Together, these experiences create young people who are safer, stronger, and more resilient overall.

Water safety for children improves significantly when confidence comes first. A child who trusts their own body in the water will respond to challenges rather than freeze. Similarly, a child who has practised making decisions in a team environment will recognise danger sooner and act with purpose.

This is why we focus so heavily on emotional readiness at Aquatots. A confident child is a safer child, in the pool and beyond.

Prevention Through Education

The most effective approach to water safety for children is ongoing, structured education rather than one-off lessons. Consistent programs in supervised environments build skills that stick. They also reinforce the habits and awareness that keep young people safe across every stage of their development.

Preventive safety education isn't about creating fear. It's about giving children the tools, the practice, and the confidence to navigate water safely throughout their lives. Early swimming lessons provide this foundation, and when paired with active youth programs, the benefits multiply across every area of a child's development.

Building Safer, Stronger Young People

Active, confident kids are safer kids. Early swimming lessons build the physical foundation. Active youth programs build character. Together, they give young Australians something far more valuable than any single skill. They build the judgment, the confidence, and the awareness to stay safe in and around water for life.

Water safety for children starts with a first splash and grows with every lesson, every program, and every community that chooses to invest in its young people.

If you’re ready to help your child build water confidence and lifelong safety skills, now is the perfect time to start. Explore Aquatots’ swim programs and enrol your child today to begin their journey toward safe, confident swimming.

Frequently Asked Questions

Active Play at Home: Balancing Physical Skills with Early Learning

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 14:41:28 GMT

Active Play at Home: Balancing Physical Skills with Early Learning

Summary: Movement is one of the most powerful ways young children learn.

Simple active play at home, especially swimming-inspired activities, builds focus, confidence, and early learning skills. You don’t need extra time or fancy resources, just consistent, playful movement woven into everyday life.

Between the school runs, meal prep, and the never-ending pile of washing, it can feel like there's never enough time or energy left to "teach" your child something new.

Here's the good news: you probably already are.

Learning in early childhood doesn't need to look like worksheets or flashcards. For children aged one to seven, some of the most powerful learning happens when they're moving, playing, climbing, and splashing.

Children who move regularly – especially those who swim – tend to do better with things like following directions, remembering stories, and early maths. Some studies have shown they can be up to 20 months ahead of their peers in these areas.

That's not a small number. And the best part? The movement principles behind those results can be practised at home every single day.

Why physical play supports early learning

The old idea that movement and thinking are separate has been put to rest.

The connection between movement and learning is well established. Children who develop strong physical skills early on tend to have bigger vocabularies, better attention spans, and stronger problem-solving abilities. In simple terms: the more they move, the more they learn.

Two sensory systems explain a lot of this connection:

The vestibular system (balance and spatial awareness from the inner ear).
The proprioceptive system (body position awareness from muscles and joints).

Both need physical movement to develop properly. Even something as simple as 15 minutes on a swing can help a child feel calmer and more focused for hours afterward.

When children push, pull, carry, climb, and tumble, they're not just burning energy. They're building the brain architecture for attention, emotional regulation, and confidence.

What swimming teaches us about learning through play

If you've watched your child in a swim lesson, you've already seen these principles at work.

Swimming is built on repetition that leads to mastery. Your child practises the same kick, the same reach, the same breath pattern until it becomes second nature. That's how all skill-building works – in the pool and on dry land.

Swim lessons also introduce small, manageable challenges. A child who learns to put their face in the water is building the same kind of courage they'll use when trying a new food, starting at a new school, or speaking up in a group. Calm, patient guidance from an instructor helps children persist through discomfort rather than avoid it.

Children who swim regularly often show stronger communication skills and are more confident socially and emotionally. The benefits go well beyond water safety – swimming genuinely helps build the whole child.

Simple active play ideas you can do at home

You don't need a pool, fancy toys, or a dedicated playroom. These ideas use things you already have at home, and each one connects to a real developmental benefit.

Pretend swimming" on the floor

Have your child lie on their tummy and practise flutter kicks and arm strokes. This builds core strength, bilateral coordination, and body awareness – the same skills they develop during swim lessons.

Cushion obstacle courses

Lay out pillows, towels, and low furniture for climbing over, crawling under, and balancing on. This kind of play trains balance and body awareness. It also encourages problem-solving as your child works out how to navigate each challenge.

Rhythm and movement games

Clap, jump, pause. Simple rhythm games build listening skills, coordination, and impulse control. Early learning centres like Wonderschool Canberra use music and movement activities to support language development, spatial awareness, and gross motor skills in young children.

Water play in the bath or backyard

Pouring between cups builds fine motor skills. Squeezing sponges strengthens grip. Blowing bubbles in the bath practises the same breath control used in swimming – and it also strengthens the oral motor muscles involved in speech development.

Animal walks

Bear crawls, crab walks, and frog jumps provide deep input that helps children feel grounded, calm, and aware of their bodies. These ‘heavy work’ activities are a great way to help children self-regulate.

Supporting confidence, not performance

Children don't need to ‘get it right’ during play. They need to feel safe enough to try.

Rough-and-tumble play – wrestling, tickling, chasing – isn't just fun. It actually helps children learn to manage their emotions, read social cues, and stay in control. The key ingredient? Parents who keep things playful and let children lead.

Praise effort over outcomes. "You kept trying even when it was tricky" does more for a child's development than "good job" ever will.

Let your child adapt activities to suit them. If the obstacle course turns into a pillow fight, that's still movement, connection, and learning.

Keep it joyful. The moment play becomes a chore, its developmental value drops.

At Aquatots, we see this every day. Children who feel safe and supported in the water become braver, more curious, and more willing to try new things. The same principle applies at home.

Play builds skills for life

Active play supports learning, wellbeing, and confidence all at once. It helps children feel capable in their bodies and calm in their minds. It builds the coordination, balance, and body awareness that underpin everything from handwriting to emotional regulation.

And it does all of this without worksheets, screens, or pressure.

The small moments matter. Every splash, tumble, kick, and stretch builds the foundation for learning.

Frequently asked questions

How Swimming Helps Kids Build Strength

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 03:32:59 GMT

How Swimming Helps Kids Build Strength

Summary: Water-based activities like swimming lessons, hydrotherapy, and simple water play help children build strength in a safe and supportive environment. The natural resistance and buoyancy of water encourage muscle development, core stability, coordination, and endurance without placing stress on growing joints. Whether your child is developing typically or needs extra support, time in the pool is a fun and effective way to build strength and confidence.

Hydrotherapy and water play is one of our favourite ways to help children improve their strength and coordination. The resistance and buoyancy of water provides different challenges than land-based play to little bodies that are growing and learning all the time. Plus, it's such a fun activity for kids.

What's the difference between hydrotherapy and swimming?

Hydrotherapy is a form of exercise therapy conducted in water. Unlike a regular swimming lesson, hydrotherapy sessions involve completing structured exercises in the pool that use the unique properties of water to support and challenge a child's body.

Swimming lessons are structured, supervised sessions designed to teach, refine, and master water safety and swimming skills for all ages. While not focusing directly on strength, the benefits of core strength, arm strength, and leg strength still occur.

Water play is exactly as the name explains and is just as good for strength development! While mucking around, diving, pushing off the bottom, and monkey climbing around the edge of the pool, kids move against the resistance of the water and are therefore sneakily doing strength training while they play.

No matter whether it's hydrotherapy, swimming lessons , or water play, water is a fantastic medium because it's buoyant, supportive, and provides gentle resistance. This means your child can get a full-body workout that targets strength, coordination, and endurance.

How pool exercise builds strength

Exercise in the water uses a few key principles to help children develop muscular strength:

1. Resistance Training Without Weights

Water naturally resists movement. Every kick, push, or pull requires your child to work against this resistance, increasing muscle work while being low-impact. This is particularly the case for their core muscles.

2. Buoyancy Reduces Load

For children with weaker muscles, joint issues, or specific conditions like low muscle tone or hypermobility, gravity can make exercise difficult. Water supports their body weight, allowing them to perform movements they might struggle with on land. This enables repetition, which is essential for building strength over time.

3. Core Stability and Balance

Moving through water challenges a child's balance and engages stabilising muscles in the trunk and hips. Each movement requires coordination, helping kids develop a strong core, which is foundational for all functional strength and daily activities.

4. Endurance Through Fun, Functional Activities

Being in the water is fun! Games, obstacle courses, and playful exercises keep children moving, and the buoyancy of water allows kids to play for longer periods than they might on land. This sustained activity helps build endurance, which is a crucial component of overall strength.

Who can benefit from water play, swimming lessons, and hydrotherapy?

All kids! Water-based activities are particularly helpful for children who:

Have low muscle tone or hypermobility
Are recovering from injuries or surgeries
Have developmental delays or struggle to keep up on land
Are looking to improve strength, coordination, and confidence

Even for typically developing children, time in the water is a fun way to strengthen muscles, improve endurance, and boost physical skills and confidence.

If you're unsure where to start or want tailored advice for your child, a paediatric physiotherapist like the team at Brave Kids Physio can help guide you in the right direction.

Physio-recommended water games to build strength

These are some of our favourite strength exercises for kids aged 4 to 10 years. Kids of different ages need different levels of support, so parents, be ready to help! Hop in the pool with your kids and try these games:

1. Wobbly Seat Game for Core Strength

How long can your child sit on a kickboard for? Don't let it pop out from underneath them!

Top tip: the bigger the kickboard, the easier!

How about trying it under one foot? Keep it under and don't let it fly out.

2. 3, 2, 1 Blast Off! For Leg Strength

Launch like a rocket by encouraging your child to hold onto the edge of the pool with their hands, then place their feet on the wall up nice and high in front of them (just like taking off from the blocks for backstroke).

Count down to ‘Blast Off!’ and watch or help them let go, push off as hard as they can with their legs, and send their arms backwards over their heads.

Make it a challenge to see how far they can glide and add some kicks in with their legs!

3. Monkeying Around for Arm Strength

Have your child pretend to be a monkey by holding onto the edge of the pool, with or without their feet on the wall, and see if they can hand walk along the edge. Add it to an obstacle course, make it a race, play chasey, or use it to get to the spot where the dive games are.

The bottom line

Get in the pool! It doesn't matter if it's swimming lessons, hydrotherapy, or water play – it's good for kids of all ages. If your child has low muscle tone, hypermobility, or is struggling to keep up with their friends at school, water play is one of the best things you could do with them. They'll have fun and build strength at the same time.

With warm indoor pool options in our area, kids can build their confidence and skills in the water all year round.

So what are you waiting for? Be Brave – and jump in!

Frequently asked questions

This article was written by the amazing team of physiotherapists at Brave Kids Physio . Feel free to get in touch with them if you'd like to learn more about their services or book an appointment! ��

Beyond the Pool: Local Activities That Help Canberra Kids Build Confidence and Coordination

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 04:00:15 GMT

Beyond the Pool: Local Activities That Help Canberra Kids Build Confidence and Coordination

Summary: Swimming builds a strong foundation for confidence and coordination, but children thrive when they experience movement in different ways. From dance and gymnastics to team sports and music, varied activities help Canberra kids develop resilience, focus, and self-belief. When families prioritise consistent, positive movement experiences, children build skills that last far beyond childhood.

At Aquatots, we believe confident kids are built through movement, play, and positive experiences. Swimming is a powerful starting point, but it's not the only place confidence grows.

Children build coordination and self-belief fastest when they move their bodies in different ways. Different environments challenge them differently, and those experiences stack up.

That's why we always encourage families to think beyond the pool. We see swimming lessons as part of a bigger picture, not the whole story. Our role isn't just to teach swimming skills, it's to support your child's overall development.

When kids try a mix of activities, the skills they learn in one place carry over to another. Movement confidence is connected.

Why confidence and coordination matter

Physical confidence affects far more than sport. It shapes how children approach learning, influences how they interact with others, and helps them cope with new or challenging situations.

When kids feel comfortable in their bodies, they're more willing to try. They're less anxious in unfamiliar environments, they can focus better, and they regulate emotions more easily.

Research shows motor skill development is closely linked to self-esteem, especially between ages 7 and 10. Kids who feel capable physically often feel capable everywhere else too.

The years between 3 and 12 are especially important. This is when children build their sense of identity through learning new skills. Every small win matters.

What children gain from swimming

Swimming develops skills that go far beyond water safety. In our swimming programs , children learn breath control, balance, and how to move their bodies with intention.

They build strength without realising it. They develop focus and perseverance as they progress through each level.

A study found children who participated in early swimming lessons were ahead of their peers in several areas, including problem-solving, language, and understanding instructions. They were also ahead in motor skills and social and emotional development.

Swimming also builds trust in their own abilities. That quiet 'I can do this' feeling stays with them.

Why variety matters

As much as we love swimming, kids benefit from moving in different ways. Land-based activities challenge muscles and coordination differently, activate new neural pathways, and keep movement fun and engaging.

Australian guidelines recommend that children try a variety of activities rather than specialising too early. Kids who explore multiple forms of movement are more likely to stay active long-term. They're also less likely to experience overuse injuries or burnout.

Dance as a natural complement to swimming

Dance pairs beautifully with swimming. Both focus on body awareness, both build control, balance, and coordination, and both allow children to progress at their own pace.

In dance, kids develop rhythm and timing. They learn to move with purpose and build confidence through expression.

Research shows dance programs can significantly improve self-esteem in children. Other studies show structured dance training improves proprioception, which is body awareness in space.

Many skills learned in the pool translate directly to dance. Balance carries over, bilateral coordination carries over, and breath control carries over.

For many Canberra families, swimming and dance create a great balance. Swimming builds calm confidence and control, while dance adds rhythm, expression, and creativity.

Studios like OnBeat Dance Studios offer structured, supportive classes that complement swimming beautifully. Their progressive teaching approach mirrors what children experience in quality swim programs. For kids ready to explore movement on land, dance can feel like a natural next step.

Other activities worth exploring

Dance isn't the only option. There are other activities that can help kids build confidence.

Gymnastics and movement programs build strength, balance, and spatial awareness. Many Canberra programs focus on fun rather than competition, which suits younger children well.

Team sports help build social confidence. Children learn teamwork, communication, and resilience. Local junior programs in soccer, basketball, and netball offer great entry points.

Martial arts support focus, self-regulation, and body control. Clear progression systems help children stay motivated.

Music lessons support hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills. They also build patience, discipline, and concentration.

The best activity is the one that suits your child. Some kids thrive in group environments, others prefer individual activities. There's no single right path.

Supporting the whole child

Confidence isn't built in one place. It grows through consistent, positive experiences and when children feel safe to try without pressure.

Encourage exploration. Let your child sample different activities, watch what excites them, and focus on enjoyment over performance.

The goal isn't to raise elite athletes. It's to raise children who feel comfortable in their bodies, who believe they can learn new skills, and who carry that confidence into everyday life.

Swimming is a strong foundation, but the journey doesn't end at the pool. When kids experience movement in different ways, they build confidence that lasts well beyond childhood.

Frequently asked questions

Helping Kids Thrive: How Swimming and Music Support Wellbeing and Growth

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 03:25:31 GMT

Helping Kids Thrive: How Swimming and Music Support Wellbeing and Growth

Summary: Swimming and music both help children build confidence, focus, and emotional resilience.
Together, they support brain development, routine, and a strong sense of belonging that carries into school and everyday life. When families prioritise consistent, supportive programs, children gain skills that last well beyond childhood.

Swimming and music might seem like completely different activities, but they both create spaces where children build confidence, learn to focus, and develop skills that reach far beyond the pool or the studio.

Every parent wants their child to thrive, not just at school, but emotionally, physically, and socially too. That kind of growth doesn't come from one activity alone. It comes from experiences that help children feel supported and proud of themselves.

Two activities that work incredibly well together are swimming and music education. They're not just extras in a busy week, they're environments where children learn how to focus, regulate emotions, and build confidence over time. When children experience both, the benefits often reach far beyond what families expect.

Why swimming and music work so well together

A swimming pool and a music studio may look worlds apart, but the learning that happens in both is surprisingly similar.

Both rely on rhythm and timing. In music, children learn to listen, count, and coordinate movement in sequence. In swimming, children learn to time breathing, control strokes, and move through water with purpose.

Both environments require focus and responsiveness. Children learn to listen to instructions, adjust in the moment, and keep going even when something feels tricky at first.

Progress in both activities happens gradually. A new song feels awkward at first, and a new swimming skill feels unfamiliar too. With consistent practice and encouragement, confidence grows.

That journey from 'this feels hard' to 'I can do this' is powerful. It teaches children that learning takes time and builds genuine resilience.

Supporting emotional well-being

Many children struggle to explain how they feel. Movement-based activities give them another way to process emotions.

Music provides an outlet for expression and supports mood regulation. It helps children feel calmer and more connected. Swimming offers its own sense of calm. Water provides gentle pressure across the body, which can feel grounding and soothing for many children.

Both activities also offer predictability. The same day each week, the same environment, the same friendly instructors. For children who feel overwhelmed by busy schedules or school demands, that consistency matters. It creates a sense of safety.

Building confidence through progress

Confidence doesn't come from praise alone. It comes from effort, practice, and seeing progress over time.

Swimming lessons are built around achievable milestones. Each new skill builds on the last, and children can clearly see how far they've come. Music education works the same way, with skills developing step by step and improvement feeling genuinely earned.

Group settings add another layer. Children learn to take turns, support others, and understand that everyone progresses at their own pace.

This shows up in how children carry themselves. They stand taller, try again after mistakes, and trust themselves more.

How swimming and music support learning

Swimming supports brain development in unique ways. Movement, coordination, and breath control all activate the brain. Studies show swimming supports memory, attention, and learning readiness.

Music training strengthens listening skills and focus. It supports working memory and pattern recognition, particularly when children are learning instruments in supportive environments.

There's also a strong rhythm connection between the two. Swimming relies on consistent timing, and so does music. Children who develop rhythm and coordination in one environment often carry those skills into the other, which helps learning feel more natural.

For families exploring music education in Canberra , many programs offer structured guitar, piano, and drum lessons that build confidence and musical skills in a patient, encouraging way.

Belonging and community

Beyond the skills, swimming schools and music studios offer something equally important: a sense of belonging.

Children see familiar faces each week, build trust with instructors, and feel part of something outside school and home. These spaces give children room to grow without pressure. They allow mistakes and celebrate effort.

That sense of belonging supports identity. Children start to see themselves as capable learners.

Finding balance as a family

Supporting your child doesn't mean filling every afternoon. It means choosing activities that add value and sticking with them consistently.

Consistency matters more than intensity. Regular lessons over time create the biggest benefits. Keep routines simple, allow time for rest and free play, and follow your child's interests.

When children feel supported instead of rushed, they're more likely to enjoy the process.

Skills that last well beyond childhood

Swimming and music aren't just childhood activities. They build lifelong skills: confidence, coordination, emotional regulation, and resilience.

In Australia, swimming is essential. It's a life skill and a safety necessity. Drowning remains a leading cause of accidental death for young Australian children , which makes swimming lessons about far more than just physical development.

They're about building water confidence and safety awareness that every child needs.

Swimming provides a foundation for movement, self-belief, and joy in the water. When paired with activities like music, that foundation becomes even stronger.

These activities support confident, capable children from the very first splash or the very first chord. The skills they build, the confidence they gain, and the joy they discover all become part of who they are.

Frequently asked questions

Supporting Children and Teens Beyond the Classroom: How Physical Activity, Confidence, and Routine Support Learning and Well-being

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 08:02:13 GMT

Supporting Children and Teens Beyond the Classroom: How Physical Activity, Confidence, and Routine Support Learning and Well-being

Summary: Physical activity plays a powerful role in supporting children’s focus, confidence, and emotional well-being. Structured programs like swimming help build routine, self-regulation, and resilience that transfer directly into school life. When combined with personalised academic support, children and teens are better equipped to manage challenges and thrive both in and out of the classroom.

You may have noticed it yourself. After swimming lessons, your child feels calmer. More settled. More ready to focus.

It’s not just about burning off energy. Time in the water helps prepare the brain for learning.

For Canberra families balancing school, activities, and family life, this matters. Physical activity doesn’t take time away from learning. It often helps learning work better.

How movement supports the brain

Physical activity builds more than strong bodies. It supports the brain skills children use every day at school.

When children move, blood flow increases to areas of the brain linked to focus, planning, and self-control. Even short bursts of activity can improve concentration and task performance. Over time, regular movement strengthens memory and attention pathways.

That’s why children involved in structured physical programs often show benefits in the classroom.

Movement helps the brain switch on. The impact shows up in homework, class engagement, and confidence with learning.

Why routine matters so much

Beyond brain benefits, regular activity builds routine and self-regulation.

When children attend structured programs, they practise showing up, listening, and working through challenges. These skills transfer directly into school life. Australian research shows children involved in extracurricular activities demonstrate stronger self-regulation and persistence.

Predictable routines also reduce stress. When children know what their week looks like, swimming on Tuesday, tutoring on Thursday, family time on the weekend, they feel safer and more in control. This is especially important during exams or school transitions.

For parents, this means structure doesn’t add pressure.

It often creates the stability that helps everything else run more smoothly.

Confidence supports learning at every age

Confidence isn’t a bonus. It’s a foundation.

For younger children, learning physical skills builds belief in themselves. They experience effort, practice, and progress. That “I can do this” feeling carries into the classroom when learning feels tricky.

For older children and teenagers, confidence matters even more. As academic pressure increases, having a space where they feel capable outside school provides balance. Research shows children who feel competent in physical settings often carry that self-belief into other areas of life.

Confidence grows through experience, patience, and support. Children need safe places to try, practise, and succeed, whether that’s in the pool or at the desk.

Why personalised programs make a difference

One-size-fits-all rarely works for children.

Every child learns differently. Some need more time. Others need repetition or a different explanation. Programs that adapt to the child, rather than pushing the child to fit the program, create better outcomes and happier learners.

Many families see this in swim lessons. At Aquatots, teachers adjust to each child’s ability, confidence, and pace. There’s no rushing. Progress is built step by step, with encouragement and care.

This same approach works in academic settings too. Personalised tutoring supports children by meeting them where they are. WHY Tutoring , for example, offers one-on-one and small-group support tailored to each student’s learning style. The focus is on understanding and confidence, not pressure.

When children experience personalised support in both physical and academic spaces, they build stronger belief in themselves. That belief supports future challenges.

Supporting teenagers without adding pressure

Adolescence brings higher demands. School expectations grow. Social pressures increase. Many families worry about stress and mental health.

This is when balance matters most.

Physical activity for teenagers should feel supportive, not competitive. Non-competitive programs offer fitness, skill development, and connection without performance pressure. Aquatots’ Swim Fit program supports older students with technique and fitness in a calm, encouraging environment.

Academic support works best the same way. Effective tutoring builds confidence and preparation, helping students feel capable rather than overwhelmed. Whether in the pool or the study space, the goal is the same: helping young people feel in control.

Taking a whole-child approach

The strongest support for children combines movement, emotional well-being, and learning.

These areas aren’t separate. They work together.

Children who move regularly manage stress better. They focus more easily. They believe in themselves when learning feels hard. A child who masters a swimming skill is more likely to persist with a school challenge. A teenager with a steady fitness routine is often better equipped to manage exam stress.

For families, this means choosing programs that respect your child’s individuality. It means building routines that include movement, rest, and learning in ways that feel sustainable.

Where to start

The evidence is clear. Children who move, build confidence, and follow consistent routines are better supported to learn and thrive.

Start small. Choose activities your child enjoys. Look for programs that value patience, individual progress, and care. If learning feels challenging, explore support that builds understanding and confidence, not just content coverage.

Whether it’s in the pool with Aquatots or in a tutoring session, the approach matters.

Over time, these choices build strong foundations. Foundations for confidence, wellbeing, and a lifelong love of learning.

Frequently asked questions

5 Myths About School-Aged Advanced Swim Programs Parents Still Believe

Fri, 19 Dec 2025 08:04:45 GMT

5 Myths About School-Aged Advanced Swim Programs Parents Still Believe

Nearly half of Year 6 students in Australia can’t swim 50 metres or tread water for two minutes . That's the basic national benchmark for water safety. Not advanced skills. The basics.

This gap between what parents think their kids can do and what they can actually do in the water is a real problem. And a lot of it comes down to myths that keep getting passed around at school pick-up and family barbecues.

Here are five myths about school-aged swim programs that need to go.

Myth 1: My kid can swim a lap, so they're water safe

Your child swims a lap at the local pool and you breathe a sigh of relief. Job done, right?

Not quite.

Swimming one lap is an achievement worth celebrating. But it's the starting point of water safety , not the finish line. Australian national benchmarks expect a lot more from kids as they grow. By age 12, children should be able to swim 50 metres continuously and tread water for 2 minutes. By age 17, it rises to 400 metres of swimming without stopping, 5 minutes of treading water, and the skills to survive while wearing heavy clothes.

That warm, clear pool where your child swims is very different from the rivers, creeks, and beaches where many teens drown. Rivers and creeks alone account for 27% of all Australian drowning deaths. These environments have currents, waves, cold water, unclear depths and underwater hazards.

A child who swims well at the aquatic centre might not be ready for a sudden fall into a river or dam. Here's a surprising fact for parents: 70% of toddler drownings happen during non-swim times when kids are in regular clothes. This is exactly why the national benchmarks include survival swimming in clothing.

Myth 2: School swimming has it covered

Many parents think that since swimming is in the school curriculum, their kids will learn water safety. The reality is different.

Royal Life Saving Australia's 2025 research found that 31% of Australian schools don’t provide learn-to-swim programs at all [ISSUU]. Cost pressures, staffing shortages, and time limits make it hard for many schools to provide effective swimming education.

Where programs do exist, they typically run as brief intensive blocks of just 1-2 weeks per year. That's not enough consistent practice for genuine skill development. Royal Life Saving CEO Dr. Justin Scarr has warned that we could create a generation with very poor swimming skills. He emphasized the need for coordinated investment in school swimming programs.

The numbers back this up. In Victoria, even with mandatory curriculum requirements, 40% of children finish primary school unable to swim 50 metres. By Year 10, 39% of students still cannot meet the Year 6 standard.

School swimming gives valuable exposure. But it cannot replace regular, ongoing lessons.

Myth 3: Swimming is like riding a bike

Parents often assume that once their child learns to swim, they'll never forget. Like riding a bike.

Research tells a different story.

A Dutch study showed that just 56% of children could do 5 basic swimming skills 18 months after learning them. For younger children, the regression happens even faster. Australian swim schools see clear skill regression in kids under 6 after just 2-4 weeks away from the water.

The COVID-19 pandemic showed this clearly. After pool closures, 55% of Australian parents noticed their child's swimming skills declined. Also, 42% reported that their kids could swim shorter distances. Royal Life Saving warned that over 10 million missed lessons could lead to "a generation of non-swimming children."

Summer-only swimming creates a similar problem. Children who stop lessons in winter usually have to repeat levels when they come back. That means paying twice for the same skills. Year-round lessons cost more overall, but they lead to better results. Kids keep their skills and keep improving.

Myth 4: My confident kid is a safe kid

This might be the most dangerous myth of all.

A child who eagerly jumps into the pool and splashes around happily looks safe to most parents. But confidence and competence are two very different things. Willingness to swim, lack of fear, and excitement don’t show real survival skills.

The research paints a concerning picture. Though 61% of parents think their kids can swim 50 metres, only 48% of 11-12-year-olds can actually do it, according to independent assessments. Parents overestimate 1 in every 5 swimming skills their children have mastered. Parents worry that kids can save themselves from drowning by age 6.21. This belief greatly overestimates what children can actually do.

The fearless child who dives straight in may actually be at greater risk than a cautious peer. Overconfident swimmers take more risks, go into deeper water, and overlook their limits.

Here's a stat that catches parents off guard: about 66% of people who drown worldwide can swim.

Myth 5: My child is too young (or too old) for advanced programs

Some parents believe their child should be a certain age for advanced programs to be useful. Others believe their child has "missed the window" if they didn't start young.

Both assumptions limit kids unnecessarily.

Australian frameworks focus on ability-based progression, not age-based. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests swim lessons for drowning prevention from age 1. Babies can start water familiarisation programs as early as 3-6 months.

Older kids and teens who can't swim yet often learn faster than younger beginners. This is because they have better cognitive skills and longer attention spans.

The "natural swimmer" concept is itself a myth. Humans must learn to swim. Early talent often shows more water exposure and comfort than natural skill. Research on over 500 swimmers showed that the fastest ones created the least drag. Technique, not physical attributes, was the primary determinant.

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The bottom line

True water safety requires demonstrated skills, not just enthusiasm. Pool swimming doesn't equal open water safety. Skills fade without consistent practice. Confidence can actually increase risk. And it's never too early or too late to progress.

Focus on four key pillars:

Supervise

Restrict

Teach

Respond

These pillars guide their approach to water safety.

Swimming lessons fit into that "Teach" pillar. Research shows that 70% of children leave lessons before they learn key survival skills.

The goal isn't a child who looks comfortable in water. It's someone who can handle sudden situations, spot danger, and react well in emergencies.

Frequently asked questions

Is My Child Ready for the School-Aged Advanced Swim Program?

Thu, 18 Dec 2025 16:18:44 GMT

Is My Child Ready for the School-Aged Advanced Swim Program?

You've watched your kid splash through beginner classes. They can do a decent freestyle lap. Maybe they've even earned a certificate or two. When the swim school talks about their "advanced program," you might think: is my child really ready?

It's a bigger question than most parents realise. And getting it wrong in either direction can set your child back.

The gap between "can swim" and "safe swimmer"

Here's a stat that should make every Australian parent pay attention. Nearly half of Year 6 students cannot swim 50 metres and tread water for 2 minutes . That's the national benchmark for 12-year-olds. And it gets worse as kids get older. By ages 15-16, 84% of teenagers can't meet their age-appropriate swimming benchmark.

Why? Because 75% of children stop swimming lessons before age 9. Long before they've developed genuine water safety skills.

When we discuss if your child is ready for advanced swimming, we’re really asking: are they on track to be a safe swimmer? Or are they about to join the majority who quit too early?

What "advanced" actually means

The National Swimming and Water Safety Framework has three stages for swimming development:

Fundamental (beginner)

Acquisition (intermediate)

Application (advanced)

Your child's current level probably sits somewhere in the first two stages. Fundamental swimmers are building water confidence and learning basics. They can swim about 5 metres, float, and recover to standing . Acquisition swimmers are increasing their distances. They’re also learning different strokes and aiming for the important 50-metre benchmark, along with 2 minutes of treading water.

Advanced swimmers operate at a different level entirely. We're looking at 100 to 400 metres of swimming, 5 minutes of treading water, deep water rescue skills, and survival tasks in heavy clothing. These kids are prepared for real-world water environments, not just pool conditions.

Knowing where your child stands on this spectrum helps you see if they are ready to move forward or if they need more time to solidify their current skills.

Physical signs your child is ready

AUSTSWIM identifies specific physical markers that separate genuine readiness from parent optimism. And yes, there's often a gap between what we hope our kids can do and what they can actually do safely.

Look for coordinated propulsion. This is when arms and legs move together purposefully, not just splashing randomly. Aim for controlled kicks with less splashing. This shows skill mastery, not just effort. Can your child float on their own for 10 to 20 seconds without reaching for anything? Can they transition smoothly from horizontal to vertical in the water?

Breath control matters enormously. A child ready to advance can put their face underwater without feeling scared. They can get in and out of the pool without help. Advanced-ready children also show confidence and comfort in deep water, not just in the shallow end.

Most kids have the skills for formal swimming lessons by age 4. They can usually master front crawl by ages 5 to 6. But here's the crucial point: age is not the primary indicator. AUSTSWIM highlights that readiness means being willing and prepared, not just based on a child's age.

Your 7-year-old might be ready when your neighbour's 9-year-old isn't. Every child progresses differently.

The emotional and mental side

Physical capability alone doesn't cut it. A child may be strong and coordinated enough for advanced swimming. However, they might not be emotionally or mentally ready to move forward safely.

Emotionally ready kids jump into the water without their parents. They are eager before lessons and bounce back quickly from small setbacks. They stay calm during floating activities and handle water on their face without panic. You’ll see them showing pride in their achievements and wanting to go back to the pool.

Cognitive readiness means understanding and following multi-step instructions. It also involves processing technique corrections and being aware of safety rules. Research shows that children aged 6 and older gain the most from complex instruction. In contrast, younger children require simpler and more direct guidance.

Red flags that say "not yet"

Sometimes, the key skill is knowing when your child needs extra time at their current level.

Watch for persistent distress throughout lessons, not just initial nerves. Physical anxiety symptoms, such as shivering in warm water, clenched fists, or erratic behaviour, indicate issues. If your child struggles with new levels, it may mean skill regression. This is an important sign to pay attention to.

Struggling to follow directions or focus in lessons shows they may not be ready to advance. Fear responses, such as widened eyes, dilated pupils, and a racing heart, often signal anxiety rather than just exertion. These are clear warning signs.

Surprisingly, research shows that 19% of negative aquatic experiences happen during swimming lessons. This often occurs when individuals are pushed beyond their comfort zones . Children with these negative experiences recorded lower average achievement at every age.

Pushing too fast backfires. Every time.

Why school programs aren't enough

If your child does swimming at school, that's great. But it's probably not enough.

Research shows children need ongoing weekly instruction to maintain and develop skills. Victoria provides the most thorough approach, but school programs still focus on basic survival skills and safety awareness. They usually don’t cover advanced stroke technique, swimming longer than 50 metres, or ongoing skill improvement.

University of Tasmania research confirms children attending regular weekly lessons at private swim schools are more likely to reach national benchmarks by ages 9-10.

School programs fill gaps. They don't replace consistent swimming education.

The bottom line

Deciding if your child is ready for advanced swimming means considering everything. Physical markers like coordinated strokes, independent floating, and breath control. Emotional signs like confidence without anxiety. Cognitive indicators like following instructions and understanding safety rules.

But equally important is recognising when your child needs more time. Skill regression, ongoing distress, and anxiety show that pressure to advance should pause.

Swimming skills develop in cycles. Children gain skills, then plateau, then gain skills, then plateau. That's normal. The goal isn't rushing to the next level. It's building a genuinely safe swimmer who can handle real-world water environments.

Remember, the shift from parent-child classes to teacher-led instruction can take up to six months. It all depends on individual readiness. There's no prize for speed. Only for getting there safely.

Frequently asked questions

Towards a Drowning-Free Australia: Why Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Communities Must Be Central

Thu, 27 Nov 2025 08:10:42 GMT

7 Simple Dryland Exercises for Strong Swimming

callum.gracie@ottomedia.com.au (Callum Gracie) — Mon, 11 Aug 2025 23:44:48 GMT

7 Dryland Exercises for Strong Swimming

Dryland Exercises for swimming is an essential part of every swimmer's routine.

Especially for those who wake up at 5am dreaming of faster times and powerful strokes.

Are you a swimmer aiming to build strength, improve stroke power, and maintain core stability?

You need dryland exercises for strong swimming. It's what separates determined athletes from the plateaus.

Swimmers of all ages can enhance their performance in the pool while reducing the risk of injury. In this blog, we explore why dryland matters.

Especially for competitive swimmers who refuse to settle for "good enough." We'll also explore which exercises are most effective for building real strength.

And how to structure a plan that actually works for busy families.

What Is Dryland Training and Why Is It Important for Swimmers?

Dryland training refers to strength, flexibility, and mobility exercises. These are performed on land to complement swim training.

Unlike swimming laps in a pool, dryland allows swimmers to isolate and strengthen key muscle groups.

This focused intensity transforms good swimmers into great ones.

It’s especially important for competitive swimmers, like those in our Sea Dragon Swim Squad , where every improvement in strength and endurance can make a difference on race day.

Incorporating swimmers dryland exercises into your training schedule can help improve swimming performance.

It builds explosive power that translates into speed and boosts endurance. It ensures proper body position that makes every stroke count.

Additionally, dryland routines help prevent injury by strengthening joints and supporting muscles.

It's used during competitive swimming, keeping swimmers in the water instead of on the sidelines.

Key benefits

Builds upper body strength for more powerful strokes.
Enhance core stability for improved control and posture.
Promotes mobility through dynamic stretches that keep swimmers flexible.
Supports proper technique and muscle balance.

Benefits of Dryland Exercises for Strong Swimming

Dryland exercises provide a range of benefits. They translate to stronger and more efficient swimming. Frustrated swimmers transform into confident athletes in the pool.

Are you a beginner still learning to love the water? Or a competitive swimmer chasing personal bests?

Here are several reasons to integrate dryland into your training routine:

Core Stability

A strong core helps maintain a streamlined body position that cuts through water like a knife. It reduces drag that slows swimmers.

Core strength improves control during strokes and turns. It gives swimmers the stability they need when fatigue sets in.

Upper Body Strength

Building muscle in the arms, shoulders, and chest allows swimmers to generate more power during pull movements.

Swimmers propel themselves forward with authority. Parents watching from the deck can actually see the difference when their swimmer develops real upper body strength.

Proper Body Position

Dryland training reinforces posture, balance, and coordination. It helps swimmers hold the correct body alignment throughout a swim, supporting efficient movement and complementing strong breathing and technique for optimal performance.

Injury Prevention

Strengthening key muscles on land protects against overuse injuries. This keeps them healthy and in the water where they belong. Prevent injury through smart strength training that supports the repetitive movements swimming demands.

Improved Technique and Speed

With better strength and flexibility, swimmers can achieve longer strokes. Plus, faster reaction times, and quicker turns. Swimming faster after months of dedicated dryland work is something every swimmer cherishes.

How to Structure a Dryland Training Schedule for Swimmers?

An effective dryland training schedule aligns with your swim training goals. Though finding time between pool sessions, school, and family life can feel like solving a puzzle.

Frequency

2–3 sessions per week is ideal for swimmers who want to see genuine improvement. More isn't always better when you're already spending hours in the pool.

Warm Up

Begin with dynamic stretches like leg swings, arm circles, and jumping jacks. This raises heart rate and prepares muscles for the work ahead. This is the foundation that prevents injuries that can derail a season.

Main Set

Focus on exercises targeting core strength. This translates to better body position, leg stability and powerful kicks. Plus, upper body control that creates efficient strokes.

Cool Down

Use static stretches to maintain flexibility in shoulders, hips, and legs. These take a beating during intense swim training.

Equipment

Optional tools include a medicine ball for explosive power, and a resistance band for strength. Plus, yoga mats for floor work, or stability ball for core challenges.

Always prioritise proper technique over heavy weights or high repetitions. Swimmers who focus on quality movement see better results than those who rush through exercises with poor form. Adjust intensity based on your level, goals, and how your body feels.

Top 7 Dryland Exercises Every Swimmer Should Try

1. Plank Variations for Core Stability

Targets

Abdominal muscles, lower back, shoulders that work overtime during long training sessions.

How to

Maintain a straight line from head to heels, elbows under shoulders while fighting the urge to collapse when your core starts shaking.

Progressions

Side planks that make swimmers realise how uneven their strength really is, plank with arm lifts for those ready to humble themselves.

This exercise teaches swimmers the core stability they need when fatigue breaks their technique.

2. Push-Ups to Build Upper Body Strength

Targets

Chest, triceps, shoulders that power every stroke

How to

Keep hands directly under shoulders, body straight, lower chest to ground. Plus, it maintains your perfect form.

Tip

Engage your core for full-body control that translates directly to better swimming and reinforces the fundamentals of strokes needed for efficient technique.

Every competitive swimmer remembers their first set of proper push-ups — and how they suddenly understood where stroke power comes from.

3. Lunges for Lower Body Control and Balance

Targets

Glutes, quads, hamstrings that drive powerful kicks.

How to

Start with feet shoulder width apart, step forward, lower until both knees are at 90 degrees.

Variation

Add weights or a medicine ball for resistance that challenges swimmers who thought they were strong.

Swimmers discover that leg strength on land transforms their kick from splash to propulsion, playing a key role in overall swimming progression how it works for building speed and endurance.

4. Superman Hold for Streamlined Body Position

Targets

Back, glutes, shoulders that maintain perfect posture.

How to

Lie face down, arms and legs extended, lift both slightly off the floor and hold while your muscles scream.

Tip

Focus on slow, controlled movement that mirrors the precision swimming demands.

This exercise shows the body position that makes good swimmers stand out.

5. Resistance Band Rows for Shoulder Stability

Targets

Upper back, shoulders, arms that pull swimmers through thousands of strokes.

How to

Anchor band at waist height, pull with arms straight and elbows close to the body.

Cue

Squeeze shoulder blades together at the top like you're trying to hold a pencil between them.

Swimmers love this exercise because they can feel exactly how it connects to their stroke technique.

6. Russian Twists for Rotational Strength

Targets

Obliques, torso, core that powers swimming's rotational movements.

How to

Sit with knees bend, lean back slightly, rotate torso side to side while holding a ball or weight.

Progression

Lift feet off the ground for more power and difficulty that humbles even strong swimmers.

The motion perfectly mimics the rotation that creates efficient strokes and powerful turns.

7. Medicine Ball Slams for Explosive Power

Targets

Full body including shoulders, core, legs working together.

How to

Raise ball overhead and slam it down with force, repeat in sets while channeling your frustration with slow times.

Great for

Developing power for starts and turns that can make or break races.

Competitive swimmers use this exercise to build explosive strength. It launches them off blocks and pushes them through tight finishes.

The satisfying slam releases tension while building the power every swimmer craves.

Each exercise teaches swimmers that strength on land translates to speed in the pool.

This transforms dedicated athletes who train consistently to swim faster.

Common Mistakes to Avoid with Swimmers’ Dryland Exercises

Skipping warm-ups because you're running late to training. Increases injury risk and can sideline swimmers for weeks just when they're making progress.
Using improper technique puts unnecessary strain on joints. Often because swimmers are more focused on finishing quickly than doing movements correctly.
Neglecting recovery time between sessions when enthusiasm overtakes common sense. Leaves swimmers too fatigued to perform well in the pool.
Focusing too much on one muscle group while ignoring others. Creates imbalances that coaches notice immediately in stroke techniques.

Tip: Always use controlled motion and maintain awareness of form. Even when your muscles are screaming and you want to rush through the final reps. Quality beats quantity every time.

How to Progress Your Dryland Routine Over Time

Add resistance

Use weights, bands, or increase reps as your body adapts and grows stronger. Celebrate those moments when exercises that once felt impossible become manageable.

Incorporate plyometrics

Jump squats, burpees, or box jumps build explosive power swimmers.

Track progress

Monitor your improvements in power, control, and endurance. So you can see concrete evidence that those tough dryland sessions are paying off in the pool.

Vary movements

Mix upper body and lower body days to keep training interesting and prevent the boredom that makes swimmers skip sessions.

Including different homework activities between swim sessions can also help reinforce strength gains and skill development outside of the pool.

A well-rounded approach ensures muscle balance and continued growth. It transforms dedicated swimmers who stick with their dryland routine into athletes.

The swimmers who progress consistently are those who remember that every rep on land is an investment in the water.

Sample 3-Day Dryland Workout Plan

Day 1: Core & Stability Focus

Perfect for swimmers who want to feel that strong core working during every stroke:

Plank (3 x 45 seconds) - Hold that starting position while your abdominal muscles remind you why core strength matters.
Bird-Dog (3 sets each side) - Balance on one arm and one foot while your core learns real stability.
Superman Hold (3 x 30 seconds) - Slowly lift your chest and legs, feeling your back muscles work overtime.
Russian Twists (3 x 20 reps) - Rotate with control while imagining the power this brings to your stroke rotation.

Day 2: Upper Body Strength & Power

Build the upper body strength that transforms weak pulls into powerful ones:

Push-Ups (3 x 10–15) - Keep arms straight and body aligned, feeling every rep in your shoulders and chest.
Resistance Band Rows (3 x 12) - Pull with purpose, squeezing those shoulder blades like your technique depends on it.
Medicine Ball Slams (3 x 15) - Channel your frustration with slow times into explosive power.
Arm Circles (warm-up and cool-down) - Simple movements that prepare and recover your hardworking shoulders.

Day 3: Full-Body Conditioning

The day that reminds swimmers why dryland earned its reputation for being tough:

Jump Squats (3 x 10) - Explosive power that translates directly to stronger push-offs.
Lunges (3 x 10 each leg) - Feet shoulder width apart, then step forward with control that builds real leg strength.
Plank with Alternating Leg Lifts (3 x 30 seconds) - Combine core work with balance that challenges even experienced swimmers.
Cool-Down Stretches - Range of motion work that keeps swimmers flexible and injury-free.

This plan works for swimmers starting with manageable volumes and building strength progressively.

Adjust based on your training level and how your body responds to the increased workload both on land and in the pool.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Dryland exercises for strong swimming are a key part of building an effective swim training program. It must transform dedicated swimmers into athletes with strength and speed.

From boosting power to supporting injury prevention, dryland training helps all swimmers.

The swimmers who see the biggest improvements are those who embrace the challenge of building strength on land to excel in the pool.

Start small with basic exercises, stay consistent even when motivation wavers. You'll feel the results in the water that make every tough dryland session worth the effort.

Remember, every rep you complete on land is an investment in the swimmer you're becoming. Your future swimmer self, will thank you for the dryland exercises you do today.

The Do's and Don'ts of Competitive Swimming

Mon, 11 Aug 2025 23:18:08 GMT

What Are the Do's and Don’ts of Competitive Swimming?

The Do's and Don’ts of Competitive Swimming prove that competitive swimming isn't just about moving fast through the water.

Yet, watching your child slice through the pool like a dolphin never gets old.

It's a blend of skill, mindset, and smart preparation. It transforms kids who once feared putting their face underwater into confident athletes.

Are you a parent watching your nervous swimmer gear up for their first race?

Understanding the do's and don'ts of competitive swimming is key to unlocking your family's full potential in this sport.

This guide will walk you through expert-backed habits and common mistakes.

Every swimmer deserves to perform better, avoid injury, and make every swim session count.

Why Your Do's, Don’ts, and Habits Matter in Competitive Swimming

In a sport as technical and physically demanding as swimming, building strong habits early on can be the difference.

It could be the difference between a happy swimmer and one who struggles with progress while their parents worry from the sidelines.

These decisions made before, during, and after training sessions impact your swimmer's ability and influence their growth swim progression.

That's how they perform at their best and recover efficiently for tomorrow's challenge.

Elite swimmers don't just train harder, they train smarter.

And that starts with the basics that every swimming family learns.

Sometimes the hard way. Because behind every successful swimmer is a family that figured out what works and what doesn't.

More importantly, how to support their athlete through the journey.

The Do's of Competitive Swimming

1. Always Stretch and Warm Up

Never underestimate the importance of a proper warm-up , even when your swimmer is bouncing off the walls eager to jump in the pool.

Stretching your muscles and gradually increasing heart rate helps your body acclimate and improve ankle flexibility, mobility and strength.

Plus, energy systems can get ready for the intensity of the upcoming session.

This prevents those heartbreaking injuries that can sideline a swimmer for weeks.

Whether you're on dry land or in the pool, warming up:

Prevents injury that can devastate a young athlete's confidence.
Improves circulation so your swimmer feels strong from the start.
Primes muscles for peak performance that makes parents beam with pride.

By preparing properly, you give your swimmer the best chance to reach maximum performance during every swim session.

It's the difference between struggling through practice and feeling like they can conquer the world.

2. Use Your Whole Body, Not Just Your Arms

One of the most common errors young swimmers make is relying too much on their upper body.

This frantic windmilling of their arms while their legs drag behind like anchors.

While arm strength is important, swimming is a full-body sport.

Every! Muscle! Matters! Ignoring the role of legs, hips, and core means missing out on the power.

That's the power that transforms good swimmers into great ones.

Proper technique requires coordination between limbs and core.

When your whole body works together like a well-oiled machine, you not only swim faster but with less effort.

This leaves energy for that final sprint that wins races.

3. Stay Hydrated Before, During and After

It's easy to forget how much energy you're burning in the pool when you're surrounded by water.

But swimming is a full-body workout that leaves athletes surprisingly thirsty. Even mild dehydration can affect endurance, energy, and mental focus.

This turns promising swimmers into frustrated ones who can't understand why they're struggling.

Make it a habit to bring a full water bottle to every session.

Sip regularly between sets, and continue hydrating after your swim to help with recovery.

It's one of those simple things that separates swimmers who progress from those who plateau.

4. Mix Up Your Workouts

Repetition can be useful for building technique, but doing the same thing every day at the same pace will only get you so far before boredom sets in.

To improve as an athlete, you need to challenge yourself with variety that keeps both body and mind engaged.

Incorporate different drills, stroke technique, breathing patterns, speeds, and dry-land exercises for strong swimming into your workouts.

Variety keeps training fun and prevents plateaus that frustrate swimmers and their families.

It also improves your ability to adapt during competitions where conditions vary. And even worse, unexpected challenges arise.

5. Maintain a Positive Attitude

Is as much a mental sport as it is physical. Any coach will tell you that mindset can make or break a swimmer's performance.

Having a positive attitude will make you a more enjoyable teammate who lifts others up. It also helps your body perform better by releasing hormones that reduce stress and increase focus.

Doesn't matter if it's training or race day when nerves are running high.

Stay optimistic, encourage others, and believe in your ability to improve.

Resources on managing your child's swim anxiety can also help swimmers stay confident and focused during training and competitions.

Swimming Australia also provides valuable health and wellbeing tips for swimmers to support mental resilience and performance.

Because confidence is contagious, and happy swimmers inspire everyone around them to be better.

The Don’ts of Competitive Swimming

6. Don’t Hold Your Breath

One of the earliest lessons in swimming is how to manage your breathing .

But many swimmers still hold their breath underwater like they're playing a game with their siblings.

Doing so deprives your muscles of oxygen, increasing fatigue and slowing down recovery between sets.

This turns promising swimmers into frustrated ones gasping at the pool wall.

Instead, exhale slowly while your face is in the water, even though it feels unnatural at first.

When you turn to breathe, your body will naturally inhale the precious oxygen your muscles are craving.

This technique supports better endurance and helps the swimmer's tension during long sessions. when they're fighting their own breathing.

7. Don’t Eat a Big Meal Before You Swim

Timing your nutrition is just as important as what you eat.

Many families learn this lesson the hard way when their swimmer feels sick during practice.

Eatinga a heavy big meal too close to your swim can make you sluggish and uncomfortable in the water, like trying to swim with a bowling ball in your stomach.

But skipping fuel altogether is also a mistake that leaves swimmers running on empty.

A small snack like fruit, yoghurt, or a light snack about 60–90 minutes before your swim will provide steady energy without weighing you down.

Or making parents worry about poolside emergencies.

8. Don’t Let Your Hips Sink

Your body position in the water plays a huge role in speed, and watching your swimmer's hips drop can be as frustrating for parents as it is for coaches.

When hips drop too low, you create unnecessary resistance.

This slows you down significantly and makes every stroke feel like swimming uphill.

This is especially common in swimmers who haven't developed core strength yet.

To fix this:

Engage your core muscles consistently, even when you're tired.
Focus on keeping a horizontal body line that slices through water.
Use a snorkel during drills to practice without needing to focus on breathing.

Staying streamlined helps build endurance and reduces fatigue during longer sets.

It transforms struggling swimmers into efficient ones.

9. Don’t Overtrain Without Rest

Progress takes consistency, but that doesn't mean training non-stop.

That will only make your swimmer dread walking into the pool.

Pushing your body too hard without enough rest can lead to injuries.

It's like swimmer's shoulder or mental burnout that breaks young athletes' hearts.

You'll feel constantly fatigued and may even see performance dip, leaving families wondering what went wrong.

Listen to your body and teach your swimmer to do the same.

Elite swimmers know when to push and when to pull back, understanding that rest is when the magic happens.

Incorporate rest days and varied workout intensity — elite swimmers know recovery is integral, supported by sports recovery strategies.

Make good use of activities like stretching and quality sleep.

Because swimming should remain fun, not become a source of stress for the whole family.

Tips From Elite Swimmers and Coaches

Coaches play a crucial role in your development as a swimmer.

They're the voice that pushes you when you want to quit and celebrates with you when you achieve something you never thought possible.

They help you correct technique when bad habits creep in.

They structure your workouts to build strength and endurance.

Most importantly, they push you to reach goals that seemed impossible when you first stepped onto the pool deck.

Here are some additional tips from experienced swimmers and coaches.

They've taught thousands of athletes to love this demanding sport:

Stay consistent

Progress isn't linear, and neither is the journey of a competitive swimmer. Some weeks you'll feel like you're flying through the water, others you'll wonder why you even swim.

Stay patient and committed through both the victories and the frustrating plateaus, understanding that swimming progression is a gradual process that comes with consistency and time.

Track your performance

Use a swim log or app to monitor your sessions and spot patterns that reveal your progress. Watching your times drop over months of hard work is one of the most rewarding feelings in sport.

Set short-term goals

Breaking your big dreams into smaller, weekly milestones keeps you focused and motivated. Especially when the pool feels endless and the workouts seem impossible. Celebrate the small wins that matter just as much as the big ones.

Have fun

Yes, competitive swimming is serious business that demands respect and dedication. But it's also one of the most rewarding sports when you're enjoying the journey.

Laugh with teammates, and remember why you fell in love with the water in the first place.

Because at the end of the day, the most important thing isn't just becoming a faster swimmer. It's becoming a happy swimmer who carries the lessons learned in the pool into every aspect of life.

Recap: The Most Important Do's and Don’ts of Competitive Swimming

Final Thoughts

Mastering the do's and don'ts of competitive swimming isn't about perfection, because no swimmer gets everything right every time. It's about making smart choices consistently.

Even when you're tired after hours of practice or when your child would rather sit on the couch than face another morning workout.

Pay attention to technique, attitude, hydration, and rest.

You'll give your swimmer the best chance to develop into a strong, confident athlete who loves this sport as much as they respect it.

Because every swimmer deserves to feel powerful in the water and supported on deck.

Are you a nervous parent watching your swimmer prepare for their first race or building towards elite-level training?

Our Sea Dragon Swim Squad offers the advanced coaching, competition focus, and team support to help swimmers take that next big step in their journey.

This demands everything from your family. Small improvements will help your swimmer swim smarter, not just harder.

The most important thing to remember? Every elite swimmer started exactly where your athlete is right now.

Progress happens one stroke at a time, one practice at a time, one race at a time.

And behind every happy swimmer who achieves their dreams is a family that learned these lessons together.

They celebrated the small victories, and never forgot that swimming should always be fun.

The journey from that first nervous lap to confident competition is filled with challenges.

The Do's and Don’ts of Competitive Swimming highlight that it's also where swimmers develop not just endurance and technique, but character that lasts a lifetime.

Submerging Your Baby the Correct Way

callum.gracie@ottomedia.com.au (Callum Gracie) — Fri, 08 Aug 2025 22:17:00 GMT

Understanding the Risks of Incorrect Submersion

Submerging your baby the correct way is important, especially as the weather warms up and more parents head to the pool to cool off and enjoy time with their little ones.

We thought it was the perfect time to go over the technical side of submerging children under the age of three.

It is extremely important that parents are fully aware of the dangers of submerging babies that have not been conditioned to submerge correctly.

Not only will you end up having a child that will have a fear of swimming or the water but your are also running the risk of secondary drowning and or Hyponatremia/water intoxication.

Without waiting until your baby is conditioned to submerge by placing them underwater their air way will be open and the water that enters the mouth will go straight into the stomach and lungs.

Most babies under the age of one will not complain if they are being submerged incorrectly which make this age group extremely dangerous.

The Importance of Conditioning Your Baby

At Aquatots we fully condition our babies to submerge. This process also supports parents wondering how to get their child to put their face in the water.

Using the Submersion Reflex and Verbal Cues

Up until the age of three years old your baby has a reflex that we use for submerging. The reflex we use to condition the babies is a falling reflex, when your baby shuts their eyes their epiglottis (throat) will close over as well.

To teach your baby to use this reflex on cue we add the words 1, 2, 3 under and engage the baby reflex. Practising with positive language in baby swim can enhance this process.”

With enough practice you will find your baby will hear the words 1, 2, 3 under and will shut their eyes on cue and that is when they are ready to submerge.

Step-by-Step Conditioning Techniques

This conditioning can be started from birth, and it's important to note that babies under 6 months can swim with the right guidance.

Use the cue 1, 2, 3 under and gently wipe or pour the water over your baby’s face.

If you choose to use flotation aids that meet safety standards , ensure they fit your baby properly and are used under close supervision.

Eventually your baby will hear the words and will shut their eyes on cue. This conditioning can be started from birth.

Recognising When Your Baby is Ready

It is important you allow your baby to learn the cue and engage the reflex before you attempt submerging.

Waiting until your baby is ready will mean the outcome will be a comfortable relaxed swimmer.

How to Submerge Safely and Smoothly

Once your baby has learnt the verbal cue it is time to move onto submerging. Keep in mind that your baby does have two cues.

The verbal (1, 2, 3 under) and a physical cue, which is a small lift on the word under. You must hold your child horizontal in the water as a vertical submersion will push the water up their nose (this stings).

Move with your baby; ensure you can see their face, and use the verbal cue, lift on the word under and if your baby’s eyes are shut they are ready to submerge.

Always make sure you’re following recognised safety practices and using age-appropriate techniques.

Focus on your baby’s eyes not their mouth. If they eyes are closed the airway will be as well so even if their mouth is open the water can not get passed the throat.

Reading Your Baby’s Body Language

At this point you will also need to be reading your babies face and body language to ensure they are relaxed and ready for the submersion.

If your babies body seems tight or they are straining to keep their head up or if they are saying or making no sounds or gestures please DO NOT submerge.

You may wish to focus on more relaxed water skills like beautiful baby back floats until your baby shows signs of readiness.”

Allow your baby to ease in and become relaxed with what you are about to do. All your movements when submerging your baby must be smooth and controlled.

Try to use natural movement and not force your child through the water.

Babies under the age of three do not have enough neck strength to hold their head forward against the strength of the water so when forcing or pushing through the head will tip back and the water will go up their nose (this stings).

Fast and sudden movements also tend to startle and frighten babies. When a baby is startled they will throw their arms outwards and take a breath in.

If this happens underwater your baby will not only be shocked and unhappy but they will have had a big gulp of water.

Making your movements gentle and smooth will be paramount to your babies enjoyment of their time under the water.

Final Tips for Safe and Happy Swimming

The main aim of your submersions will be for you as the parent or guardian to relax and allow your baby to submerge when they are comfortable and ready.

The end result will ensure your baby will have maximum enjoyment above and under the water especially when you understand the benefits of baby swimming from an early age.

Our structured babies swimming lessons focus on safe submersion techniques, reflex conditioning, and building confidence in the water from day one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Canberra Swimming Pool

Mon, 04 Aug 2025 09:24:31 GMT

Best Canberra Swimming Pool for Baby
Swim Lessons

Choosing the right Canberra swimming pool for baby swimming lessons is about more than just convenience — it’s about safety, warmth, and confidence.

It's about safety, warmth, and finding an environment that encourages confidence in the water.

Not about turning your little one into a tiny, screaming pool critic.

Canberra has great aquatic facilities and swim schools for families with babies and toddlers.

In this guide, we compare the top-rated swimming pools in Canberra for baby swim lessons.

With a focus on warm-water programs and certified instructors who understand that babies have their own schedule, it’s an ideal place to learn to swim .

Also, age-appropriate swim programs teach water safety from infancy.

They focus on safety, not on producing mini Michael Phelps.

Why Early Swim Lessons at a Canberra Swimming Pool Matters for Your Baby

Starting swimming early offers countless benefits of baby swimming, from physical development to emotional bonding.

It encourages physical development and builds trust, confidence, and essential water safety skills, including guidance on submerging your baby the correct way .

The earlier babies become familiar with the water, the easier it is to develop positive associations.

Reputable swim schools in Canberra embrace active wellbeing.

They promote fun, gentle learning, safe activities, and even group fitness classes for parents.

Parents are encouraged to maintain active visual supervision at all times during baby swim classes.

What to Look for in a Canberra Swimming Pool for Babies

Not all pools are created equal when it comes to teaching babies to swim.

Here are the key features to look for when evaluating a Canberra swimming pool for your child's lessons:

Warm Water

Infant-friendly pools should be heated to 32–34 °C to keep babies comfortable.

Small Class Sizes

Ensures individual attention and a calm learning environment.

Qualified Instructors

Look for Swim Australia or AUSTSWIM certification.

Shallow or Toddler Pools

A separate area allows babies to explore safely without competing for space with serious lap swimmers.

Clean, Well-Maintained Facilities

To reduce potential health risks, facilities should prioritise hygiene and baby-friendly change rooms.

Best Baby Swim Lessons at Canberra Pools – Reviewed

Here's a comparison of the best swimming pools in Canberra for baby swim lessons.

Our reviews are based on program quality, facilities, and parent feedback.

1. Aquatots Swim School (Multiple Locations)

Aquatots is a leader in baby and toddler swimming.

They offer lessons from as early as 6 weeks old.

They offer warm private pools (32 °C) and small group sizes.

Their special program focuses on survival skills, bonding with parents, early development, and supportive tools like beautiful baby back floats .

Purpose-built for infants and toddlers rather than adapted from adult facilities.
Multiple Canberra locations (Forde, Gold Creek, Black Mountain, Googong) so you're never too far from warm water therapy.
Instructors are experts in infant development. They know that babies don’t learn on a set schedule.
Great for ongoing development from baby to early school age when they start having opinions about everything.

2. Kingswim (Deakin, Majura Park, Macgregor)

Kingswim's Foundation Program welcomes babies from 12 weeks. They have an engaging structure with songs, toys, and play-based learning.

Instructors join you in the water rather than shouting directions from the poolside.
Class sizes are small and nurturing, creating a playdate environment.
Warm pools and family-friendly change areas that don't require engineering degrees to navigate.
Progress tracking and flexible scheduling.

3. JUMP! Swim Schools Fyshwick

This boutique swim school offers a relaxed, fun, and friendly atmosphere.

Its perfect for shy babies or those needing a gentler introduction to the concept that water can be enjoyable.

The heated indoor pool is set at the perfect 32°C.

Classes from 3 months of age when babies are just starting to realise there's a world beyond feeding and sleeping.
Tiny class sizes (max 4–6) ensuring your baby gets attention.
Colourful, engaging environment with high-quality supervision.
Ideal for first-time swimmers and parents.

4. Gungahlin Leisure Centre

As part of the ACT Government's aquatic facilities, Gungahlin Leisure Centre offers GOswim lessons in a dedicated warm program pool.

Lessons start from 6 months and are included with a flexible membership model.

Fully trained coaches who understand that baby progress isn't measured in Olympic standards.
Warm, toddler-friendly pool separate from serious swimmers doing their daily laps
Access included to the broader leisure centre facilities and the health club.
Focus on water safety and swim learn core swimming skills that actually matter for little ones.

5. Stromlo Leisure Centre

One of Canberra's newest facilities. Stromlo features a splash park, indoor heated pools, and a welcoming family-friendly layout.

Their baby program uses GOswim's national curriculum, which means consistent quality.

Warm program pool that keeps babies happy.
Ample parking and café onsite because swimming lessons with babies requires fuel for everyone involved.
Designed to encourage a fulfilled life alongside active wellbeing.
Professional teaching team and clean facilities that prioritise hygiene over Instagram aesthetics.

6. Canberra Olympic Pool (Civic)

Canberra Olympic Pool (Civic) is a convenient option for city dwellers who appreciate not having to drive to the suburbs for every family activity.

The separate toddler pool and GOswim program create a reliable environment for early swimmers.

Central location that doesn't require GPS navigation through suburban mazes.
Trained instructors in small group settings.
Affordable pricing with free swim access for enrolled children.
Emphasises active visual supervision and community wellbeing.

7. Dickson Aquatic Centre (Seasonal)

If you're after a Canberra swimming pool for outdoor fun, Dickson Aquatic Centre is ideal in the summer.

Structured lessons for babies are limited.

However, the heated toddler pool and splash play areas are great for informal water familiarisation.

Best for summer exposure and play when Canberra weather actually behaves

Not suitable for babies under 3 for formal lessons, but perfect for splashing and general water enjoyment

Relaxed setting ideal for social and sensory experiences

Remember to actively supervise babies outdoors at all times. The sun, the water, and the toddlers require constant vigilance.

8. Aqua Harmony (Kambah)

Aqua Harmony is a small swim school beloved for its magnesium pool (33°C).

Their inclusive approach treats every baby like a unique individual rather than a standard swimming unit.

Lessons cater to babies as young as 4 months.

Gentle, sensory-friendly pool that doesn't overwhelm little ones with chlorine.
Teachers understand that some babies need more encouragement than others.
Strong focus on positive water experiences and water safety lessons.
A true community-based learning centre for all our community members.

9. Aquatic Achievers (Calwell)

Aquatic Achievers offers lessons starting at 3 months and includes free baby swim intro sessions.

Their structured curriculum is ideal for goal-oriented families.

Fully climate-controlled indoor pool.
Certified teachers and 30+ years of experience dealing with babies.
Weekly lessons with free practice swims.
Encourages confident and capable swimmers from infancy.

10. Stellar Swim (Phillip)

Stellar Swim (Phillip) is a modern swim school that operates within a fully equipped health club.

It follows Royal Life Saving Society's Swim and Survive program.

Great for families in Woden and Weston Creek who prefer convenience over cross-town commutes.

Indoor heated pool with modern amenities.
Strong emphasis on water safety and progression.
Instructors receive praise for their patience and encouragement with babies.
Occasional baby play sessions and parent-friendly amenities onsite for when you need coffee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

Baby's introduction to the water early can boost development and safety awareness.

Canberra has many swimming facilities with warm pools, skilled instructors, and kid-friendly programs.

Now is the perfect time to dive in and enjoy swimming with your baby — and if you’re just starting out, baby bath tips can help make the water feel less intimidating.

Want to learn more or book your first class?

Get in touch with your local pool and start your baby's Canberra swimming pool journey today.

How do i get my child to put their face in the water?

callum.gracie@ottomedia.com.au (Callum Gracie) — Wed, 30 Jul 2025 22:55:26 GMT

How do I get my child to put their face in the water?

Is a question that we hear often especially from families of children that may be starting a learn to swim journey a little later in life.

In the article below we share some Aquatots inside information and some handy tips to assist with guiding your child to comfortably being able to put their face in the water.

To start with it is important to understand that Babies are born with a natural affinity to water and in the womb are surrounded by amniotic fluid.

The quicker we can get the baby back to water the more natural this environment and water on their face and body will feel to them.

Teaching a baby to put their face underwater is completely different to teaching a child over the age of 3 years.

Babies under the age of 3 will still have many of their reflexes that can be used for submerging this is why it is important that your baby swim instructor holds the correct qualifications to teach children under the age of 3 years in baby swimming lessons .

To find out more about submerging your baby the correct way please read our Submerging Article

To assist a child that is over the age of 3 to get their face in the water for the first time you must understand where they are coming from.

We are only born with fears, the fear of falling and the fear of loud noises all of our other fears are developed and engrained over time.

A child that starts their learn to swim journey later in life has had three or more years to develop a good fear of the unknown and of an aquatic environment.

The easiest way to assist a child with getting comfortable putting their face in the water for the first few times is to not talk about putting their face in the water.

Instead play games make it a fun experience and you will find that by experimenting and playing your child will eventually submerge their face.

When you are assisting in their play ensure you offer lots of opportunities for your child to work it out on their own by placing things low in the water for them to collect.

Also keep in mind children are very visual learners and they will copy what they see not so much what they are told. Show them how to go under.

Over emphasise holding your breath and duck under or put your face in the water. If your child sees you are going under and having fun they will eventually give it a go as well.

As a beginner swimmer you want them to hold their breath when going under to start with to avoid water going up the nose or them breathing in at the wrong time when they are underwater.

At Aquatots we teach breath holding and then breath control when underwater.

Below are some of our more popular submerging games that will be sure to have your child's face in quickly

London bridge

Have your children walk in shallow water or monkey under a noodle. Start with the noodle high and then get lower and lower.

Be sure to show when it does get to a point where they may need to submerge how to hold their breath and duck under the bridge.

Watering the plants

Use the buckets with holes or a watering can to water the children and have them grow like a flower. See how small the seed can start and then jump up at the end to be the biggest flower you can be.

Children usually like to pick what colour flower they are and when they are trying to be the seed again will get lower and lower in the water.

Be sure to show them how to hold their breath and place their mouth underwater.

Magical water

Use the hoops on top of the water, pretend it's a magic circle and when you look through it you can see all sorts of wonderful things.

Be sure to show your child how to hold their breath and place their face in the hoop. Ask them what they saw when their face was in the hoop.

Ring a Rosie

Photo credits: deerkilldaycamp.com

Sing the nursery rhyme and go around in a circle, when you all fall down encourage a submersion by showing your child how to hold their breath then submerge. Eventually you will find they start to copy what you do.

Accidental submersion

Practice a lot of jumping and bobbing. The use of a count can sometimes help cue the child. When they jump or bob they will be naturally holding their breath so this will be the best time for a submersion to start with.

If your child does go under accidentally they will usually look for your reaction and take their cues from you, please ensure you look happy and excited.

Be sure to allow the water toi stay on their face (try not to encourage wiping it away) as this will re enforce that its ok to have water on your face.

Building trust with the child will be a big part of them wanting to submerge independently. They will need to trust you to do what you say.

Never trick a child into doing what you want or do the opposite of what you say you will, this will usually end up with a shock and your child breathing the water in and not wanting to try again.

Most importantly when the child has submerged or placed their face in the water for the first time it is cause for celebration, this is a big step in their learn to swim journey and becoming safe in and around the water, be that person who is there to celebrate with them.

Every small splash is a step toward water confidence. If you're looking for expert guidance and a nurturing environment, Aquatots is here to help .

Explore our learn-to-swim programs and discover how we make water safety fun and stress-free—even for the most hesitant child to put their face in the water.

Swimming with your 2 year old

Sat, 24 May 2025 01:27:19 GMT

Swimming with your 2 year old

Once fearless, your toddler now clings to you like a soggy rashie at swim time? You’re not imagining things—and you’re definitely not alone. Many parents notice that their once water-loving toddler suddenly becomes hesitant, even fearful.

The good news? It’s not regression. It’s growth—emotional, cognitive, and neurological. And with a few simple strategies (and a splash of patience), you can help your little one feel safe and supported again.

The Brain Behind the Behaviour

At age two, your toddler's brain is working overtime. They're learning to make sense of the world —and with that comes an increased awareness of risk. This is where the “upstairs and downstairs brain” comes in (a concept adapted from neuroscience and made wonderfully kid-friendly by experts like Dr. Dan Siegel and Blissful Kids ).

Here’s the breakdown:

The downstairs brain is responsible for basic functions, strong emotions, and instinctive reactions—think crying, hitting, hiding, or clinging when overwhelmed. It’s the home of the fight, flight, or freeze response.

The upstairs brain helps with reasoning, empathy, planning, and regulation—but in toddlers, this part is still under construction.

So, when a toddler suddenly becomes fearful of the water, it’s not that they don’t want to swim —it’s just that their downstairs brain has taken over, and they’re in protective mode.

So… What Can You Do?

Here are actionable, science-backed tips to help your toddler feel calmer, safer, and more confident in the pool:

Stay Consistent , Even When It’s Hard

Keep showing up for swim class. Familiarity builds trust—and trust builds bravery . Even if all they do is sit on the edge this week, it’s still a win.

Name the Feeling to Tame the Feeling

Acknowledge their fear without judgment:

“Are you feeling nervous about the water today? That’s okay—sometimes new things feel a bit tricky.” Naming emotions helps activate the upstairs brain and calms the stress response.

Practice Regulation Out of the Pool

Use calm-down strategies like:

Blowing bubbles (or pretending to blow out birthday candles)
Gentle counting (“Let’s count to 5 together…”)
Humming or singing a favorite song
These activities engage the parasympathetic nervous system, which helps the body and brain move out of fight-or-flight mode.

Model Calm and Confidence

Your energy sets the tone. If you’re relaxed, your toddler will feel safer. Smile, use a calm voice, and radiate “you’ve got this” energy—even if they’re clinging tighter than their swim cap. Your calm helps regulate their chaos.

Offer Choices, Not Ultimatums

Choice creates a sense of control, which quiets the alarm bells in the downstairs brain.

Empower them with small decisions:
“Do you want to sit on the step or stand on the mat?”
“Blue goggles or green?”

Play, Don’t Push

Turn tasks into games. Blow bubbles together. “Catch” floating toys. Make silly faces underwater.

Play rewires the fear response . The brain interprets fun as safety, helping your child relax into the experience.

Celebrate Tiny Wins (Like, Really Tiny)

Did they dip a toe in today? That’s a party. Did they wave at the instructor instead of hiding? Amazing. Positive reinforcement builds new neural pathways tied to joy and confidence—plus, it feels great!

Keep Talking … Even If They’re Not

Even if they’re not responding, your words help guide their brain toward a calmer state. Language engages the upstairs brain, even when they can’t access it fully themselves. Use short, reassuring phrases:

“You’re safe.”
“I’m here.”
“You’re doing a great job being brave.”

That cautious toddler stage? It’s temporary. With support, patience, and a bit of creative thinking, your child’s confidence will come bubbling back. Remember: when their downstairs brain is in charge, your calm is the anchor that keeps them grounded.

Every splash, every cuddle, every small win counts. You’re not just teaching your toddler to swim—you’re helping them build emotional resilience, self-regulation, and trust that will serve them far beyond the pool.

And in our books, that’s what makes you truly fintastic, so keep at it and they'll be that little mermaid you know they always were.

Swimming: A complex skill that is worth the time

Tue, 25 Feb 2025 03:25:11 GMT

Swimming: A complex skill that is worth the time

Swimming isn’t just about staying afloat—it’s a skill that requires coordination, strength, and regular practice. At every level, children are learning essential techniques that take time to master.

Why Extra Practice Matters

To build confidence and progress faster, we highly recommend taking advantage of our free Member Swim Times! Extra water time outside of class helps reinforce skills and improve muscle memory.

What our Swimmers Are Learning at Each Stage:

Sea Horse & Dolphin 1 – Building independence in deep water, front and back glides, and water safety skills.
Sea Horse & Dolphin 2 – Mastering breath control, propulsion, and treading water.
Sea Horse & Dolphin 3 – Introducing strokes like freestyle and backstroke, plus endurance training.
Sea Horse 4, Mini Dolphin 4 & Dolphin 4 – Refining technique with freestyle, backstroke, and advanced skills like tumble turns.

Dry Land Training for All Swimmers

Strength and coordination outside the water can make a huge difference in swimming performance. Here are some simple exercises for all levels:

��️ Planks – Builds core stability for better body positioning in the water.

��️ Leg Kicks (on back or stomach) – Mimics flutter kicks for stronger propulsion.

��️ Push-Ups – Strengthens shoulders and chest for powerful strokes.

��️ Squats & Star Jumps – Improves leg strength and endurance for kicking.

��️ Superman Hold – Enhances back and core strength for balanced swimming.

A few minutes of these exercises each day can boost performance, prevent injury, and accelerate progress in the water to give the children the skills and strength to do their water skills.

Consistent swimming keeps skills sharp, builds endurance, and prevents setbacks. Taking long breaks makes it harder to regain progress—so keep your child active and in the water!

Check our schedule and make the most of our free Member Swim Times today . Let’s keep those little swimmers swimming in the water!

Growth & Swim Progression

Mon, 26 Aug 2024 01:38:40 GMT

Growth & Swim Progression

Understanding Swim Progression

Children’s swim progression is not always a linear path. You may notice periods where your child seems to have mastered new skills quickly, followed by phases where they may plateau or even appear to regress. This is completely normal and is often related to their physical growth and development.

The Role of Growth and Buoyancy

As children grow, their bodies change, including their centre of buoyancy—the point in their body where buoyant forces are balanced. These changes can temporarily affect their ability to maintain proper swimming positions or execute techniques they previously performed with ease. For instance, a growth spurt may shift their buoyancy, making them feel less stable in the water until they adjust to their new body proportions.

What to Expect

Plateaus : These are periods where your child might not show visible progress. This is often a time of internalising skills and adjusting to new physical changes.
Regression : Sometimes, it might seem like your child is "losing" skills they previously had. This can happen as they adapt to changes in their body, such as longer limbs or a different centre of buoyancy.
Progression : After these phases, children often make significant leaps in their swimming abilities as they adjust and grow stronger.

Supporting Your Child

We understand that it can be concerning to see your child struggle with skills they’ve previously mastered. However, these phases are essential parts of their learning process. Our instructors are trained to recognise and support children through these changes, ensuring they continue to build confidence and competence in the water.

Thank you for your continued trust in Aquatots Swim School. We are committed to helping your child grow, both in and out of the water. If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s progress, please don’t hesitate to reach out

Why Is Swimming The Best Base Sport

Mon, 26 Aug 2024 00:38:20 GMT

Why Swimming Is The Best Base Sport

When it comes to choosing the right sport for your child, the options are endless. From soccer and basketball to gymnastics and martial arts, each sport offers its unique benefits. However, if you're looking for the best foundational sport that can enhance your child's abilities in any other physical activity, swimming stands out as the top choice. Here’s why swimming is the ultimate base sport for any athletic endeavour your child may pursue.

1. Full-Body Conditioning

Swimming is one of the few sports that engages nearly every muscle group in the body. When a child swims, they use their arms, legs, core, and back, resulting in balanced muscle development. This full-body conditioning creates a strong foundation that can improve performance in any other sport. Whether your child wants to play soccer, tennis, or basketball, the strength and endurance gained from swimming will give them an advantage.

2. Enhanced Cardiovascular Fitness

Swimming is an aerobic exercise that significantly boosts cardiovascular fitness. Regular swimming improves heart and lung capacity, making it easier for children to sustain energy during other sports. This enhanced cardiovascular endurance allows them to perform better, whether they’re running down the soccer field, hitting a tennis ball, or sprinting on the track.

3. Improved Coordination and Balance

Swimming requires a high degree of coordination and balance, as children must move their arms and legs in sync while maintaining proper body position in the water. These skills are transferable to virtually any sport. For instance, the coordination developed in swimming can improve a child’s ability to dribble a basketball, execute a gymnastics routine, or maintain control during a dance performance.

4. Increased Flexibility

The range of motion required for swimming strokes naturally enhances flexibility. Unlike many sports that can cause muscle tightness, swimming promotes lengthening and stretching of muscles. This increased flexibility reduces the risk of injury in other sports and allows for a greater range of motion, which is crucial in activities like gymnastics, martial arts, and dance.

5. Mental Toughness and Focus

Swimming requires concentration, discipline, and perseverance—qualities that are essential for success in any sport. The mental toughness developed in swimming, such as pushing through the last lap or perfecting a challenging stroke, can translate into a resilient mindset in other sports. This mental edge helps children stay focused, handle pressure, and overcome obstacles.

6. Low Impact, High Reward

One of the greatest advantages of swimming is its low-impact nature. The buoyancy of water reduces stress on joints and bones, making it an ideal activity for growing bodies. This allows children to build strength and endurance without the risk of injury associated with high-impact sports. As a result, they can continue to participate in other sports with reduced chances of overuse injuries.

7. Foundation for Lifelong Fitness

Swimming is a skill that children can carry with them throughout their lives. Unlike some sports that may be more difficult to continue into adulthood, swimming is a low-impact exercise that people of all ages can enjoy. By learning to swim, children not only gain a foundation for other sports but also develop a lifelong habit of staying active and healthy.

8. Safety and Confidence Around Water

Lastly, swimming is an essential life skill that provides safety and confidence around water. Whether your child goes on to play water polo, surf, or simply enjoys recreational activities at the beach or pool, the ability to swim is invaluable. This confidence in the water can also encourage them to try other water-based sports or activities, further expanding their athletic horizons.

Conclusion

Swimming is more than just a fun and healthy activity; it’s a comprehensive base sport that enhances physical and mental abilities, making it the perfect foundation for any other sport your child may choose to pursue. By developing strength, endurance, flexibility, coordination, and mental toughness through swimming, your child will be better prepared to excel in a wide range of sports and activities. Plus, the lifelong benefits of swimming ensure that your child remains active and confident both in and out of the water.

So, whether your child dreams of becoming a soccer star, a gymnast, or simply wants to try a variety of sports, starting with swimming is one of the best decisions you can make for their athletic development.

What Is Neural Pruning?

Wed, 15 May 2024 23:44:23 GMT

What Is Neural Pruning?

When a baby is born their brain is developing and with every experience, interaction and movement a connection is made in the brain. When the interaction, experience or movement is repeated the connection is strengthened and then built on. These connections are being made at such a rapid rate in the first few years of life. So fast that if the connection is not being used any longer the brain will remove it to make room for new ones. This is called neural pruning.

When your baby or child engages in swimming lessons, especially during critical periods of neurodevelopment, neural connections related to swimming skills are reinforced and retained, while those less pertinent may undergo pruning. Regular exposure to swimming stimuli, such as water resistance, buoyancy, and breath control, prompts the brain to prioritise and refine the neural circuits associated with swimming and aquatic movements.

Neural pruning emphasizes the significance of early and continued exposure to swimming instruction. Children who start learning to swim at a young age are likely to develop robust neural pathways dedicated to swimming skills, facilitating faster and more proficient swimming abilities. Conversely, delaying, or sporadic exposure to swimming lessons may result in less efficient neural pathways and slower skill acquisition.

At Aquatots we understand the importance of creating these connections at a young age. We also know to strengthen and retain the connections continuation of practice is required right though until neural pruning slows down. By having continuity until this time you will be setting your child up for life long swimming and fun in the water.

Aquatots = swimming for life

5 Reasons To Swim Through The Winter Swim Season

Wed, 15 May 2024 23:44:14 GMT

5 reasons to continue to swim through Winter

Skill Maintenance: Consistent practice is essential for maintaining and improving your swimming skills. By attending swim lessons during the winter, you can ensure that you don't lose the progress you've made during the warmer months. Regular practice helps reinforce proper technique and muscle memory, preventing regression in your abilities.

Safety: Winter brings its own set of hazards when it comes to water activities. Drowning does not know seasons. Being around water in Winter poses a threat because children will usually be fully dressed. For them to learn how to swim and survive if they were to fall in clothed, consistent practice through all seasons is required.

Physical Fitness: Swimming is an excellent full-body workout that provides cardiovascular benefits and strengthens muscles without putting stress on your joints. By attending swim lessons throughout the winter, you can maintain your overall physical fitness levels despite the colder weather. Regular swimming sessions help keep your body active and healthy during a time when outdoor exercise options may be limited.

Mental Health: Exercise, including swimming, has been shown to have numerous benefits for mental health, such as reducing stress, anxiety, and depression. Continuing swim lessons during the winter provides you with a consistent outlet for physical activity, which can help combat the winter blues and boost your mood. The sense of accomplishment and progress that comes from mastering new swimming techniques can also contribute to improved self-esteem and confidence.

Preparation for Summer: Winter swim lessons serve as valuable preparation for the summer months when swimming becomes a more popular activity. By staying committed to your lessons during the off-season, you'll be better equipped to enjoy water-related activities when the weather warms up. Whether it's swimming laps in the pool, enjoying beach vacations, or participating in water sports, maintaining your swimming skills year-round ensures that you're ready to make the most of the summer season.

The Magic Of Water

Mon, 18 Mar 2024 07:52:16 GMT

A magical sensory experience for your baby

There is no other environment that can provide the sensory experience like the aquatic environment can. In this environment your baby will be able to move in ways they can not yet on land. The sights, sounds, smells and sensations are un matched by any other dry land program. Every movement your baby makes is against the force of the water creating stronger muscles and bones with little effort.

Your baby spends 9 months in a warm watery environment in the womb and a brilliant baby program will allow the space and place to simulate this, creating comfortable at ease babies in the water that can gently working on their growth and development.

The sensory benefits of an aquatic environment for babies are remarkable, encompassing both physical and mental development. Immersing babies in water offers a multi-sensory experience that engages their senses in unique ways, fostering holistic growth.

Hydrostatic pressure, the force exerted by water on immersed objects, plays a pivotal role in this process. It provides a gentle compression around the baby's body, akin to a comforting hug, which has a calming effect on the nervous system. This pressure helps regulate sensory input, promoting relaxation and reducing stress. Furthermore, it enhances proprioception, the body's awareness of its position in space, which is vital for motor development.

Physically, the buoyancy of water reduces the effects of gravity, allowing babies to move freely and explore their bodies' capabilities in a safe environment. This promotes muscle strength, coordination, and balance. Additionally, water resistance provides gentle resistance against movement, facilitating muscle development without placing strain on joints.

Mentally, the aquatic environment stimulates cognitive development through sensory exploration.

The varied textures, temperatures, and sounds of water enrich sensory experiences, promoting brain development and enhancing neural connections. Moreover, the social interaction between babies and caregivers during water activities fosters emotional bonding and communication skills.

In essence, immersing babies in an aquatic environment offers a wealth of sensory benefits that support their physical and mental development, laying a strong foundation for lifelong learning and well-being.

Race Day Tips From The Coaches

Thu, 14 Mar 2024 21:39:15 GMT

Top Tips Below

Aquatots tips for race day, it's essential to focus on creating a supportive and enjoyable environment while also encouraging good sportsmanship. Please remember to bring your child’s Sea Dragon cap, healthy snacks for the day and lots of water.

Here are some tips:

Encourage Early Arrival: Ensure children arrive early to settle nerves and warm up properly. Familiarize them with the pool area and race setup. Time to write numbers on children’s arms
Provide Ample Warm-Up Time: Allow sufficient time for warm-up exercises and practice laps to prepare their bodies for the race. A great time to check goggles are fitted ready for diving.
Emphasise Fun: Remind children that the main goal is to have fun and do their best. Encourage a positive attitude regardless of the outcome.
Stay Hydrated: Remind children to drink water regularly to stay hydrated throughout the event.
Offer Encouragement: Cheer for all participants equally and offer words of encouragement. Celebrate their efforts, regardless of finishing position.
Emphasise Sportsmanship: Teach children the importance of good sportsmanship. Congratulate opponents on their performances and encourage teamwork and camaraderie.
Provide Supportive Environment: Ensure parents and spectators create a supportive atmosphere, cheering positively for all participants.
Celebrate Achievements: Recognise and celebrate each child's achievements, whether it's a personal best time or finishing the race.
Keep it Safe: Prioritise safety by ensuring proper supervision and adherence to pool rules at all times.
Reflect and Learn: After the event, reflect on the experience with the children. Discuss what went well and areas for improvement, fostering a growth mindset.

If you are a parent enjoying race day with your child, it is important that you are relaxed and understand we work as a team.

Timekeeper duty: Timekeeper duty is required, and a roster will be emailed before the event, please ensure you are ready to take your shift.
Listen to the coach: The coaches are there to assist your child with their racing tactics and tips, ensure you listen and encourage your child to take the advice on board.
Healthy Snacks: Provide healthy snacks for the day, it is best to have small amounts throughout the day on race day of healthy food that will give energy for the race. Try not to eat within 45 minutes of a race.
Keep an eye on the claims board: Assist your child by having their race numbers and what stroke they are swimming for that race on their arm. Help your child keep an eye on the claims board, just before their event is claimed they will need to see their coach and then head to the marshalling area. No parents in the marshalling area.
The marshalling area: Once in the marshalling area a coach or the event organisers will be there to assist your child so, please ensure you relax and sit with the team on the sidelines (this will avoid your nerves rubbing off on your child before their race as well)
Race feedback: No matter what the result your child has done and amazing job just giving it a go. Your child’s coach will give feedback on the race which will assist with emotions and developing their racing skills.
Dealing with emotions: Emotions will be high, and it is important that you allow your child to work through them to become the best athlete they can be. You can assist them by being there for support and letting them know it’s ok to feel the way they do.

And last of all support each other. We are a team and these opportunities to give the sport of swimming a go are a great place to shape the way your child will view swim racing for the rest of their life. Let’s make it a positive experience for everyone involved.

Learning Through Play

Fri, 01 Mar 2024 04:25:45 GMT

Play, a quicker path to retention

Play is a crucial element in the learning process, especially for children. It serves as a natural and enjoyable avenue for acquiring essential skills and knowledge. Through play, children develop cognitive, social, and emotional abilities, fostering creativity and problem-solving skills. Playful activities stimulate curiosity, encouraging exploration and a deeper understanding of the world around them.

Furthermore, play facilitates the development of critical life skills such as teamwork, communication, and adaptability. It enhances brain development by promoting neural connections and enhancing memory. Play-based learning creates a positive attitude towards education, making it more engaging and meaningful. This approach transcends age and applies to adults as well, promoting a dynamic and enjoyable way of acquiring new skills. In essence, incorporating play into learning experiences not only makes education more enjoyable but also paves the way for holistic development and lifelong learning.

To retain the information your child's instructor is trying to give to your child their brain needs to be in a state that is ready to receive. We can ensure the brain is ready by creating a fun and happy environment to learn.

If your child looks like they are having fun in class great! they are working hard at receiving and retaining the required input.

8 Qualities Of A Great Swim Coach

Thu, 22 Feb 2024 21:32:13 GMT

What should you look for in a Swimming Coach?

In the world of swim coaching, excellence goes beyond the strokes. It's about a coach's profound understanding, unwavering commitment, and ability to inspire young swimmers to reach their aquatic potential.

Explore the key traits that make a swim coach exceptional and elevate your child's swimming experience.

Holds the right qualifications for the position.
Understands your child's goals and reasons for training.
Respects your child as an individual.
Encourages your child to strive for their best.
Makes training an enjoyable and safe experience.
Ensures correct technique is maintained throughout the session.
Can provide corrections and feedback in an encouraging manner that your child understands.
Is always learning and staying up-to-date with best practices, new techniques, and coaching methods.

At Aquatots, we offer a squad-level program designed for children who have completed their learn-to-swim journey but wish to continue swimming for competitive or fitness reasons. Our development squads prepare children for transitioning to a competitive squad program if they choose to pursue swimming as a sport.

Children in our squads will have the opportunity to work as a team, attend team events, and participate in swimming carnivals.

Once your child reaches a squad level, they will be required to have the following equipment:

Kickboard
Pull buoy
Goggles
Cap
Drink bottle
Short blade flippers

Every Child Is Different

Wed, 21 Feb 2024 08:08:46 GMT

Progression is a personal journey

At Aquatots, we understand that each child is unique, with their own pace and path in learning to swim. It's essential to recognize that children develop their swimming skills at different times, influenced by a variety of factors, including genetics, physical development, and individual growth patterns. As such, comparing one child's progress to another can be both discouraging and counterproductive.

Our teaching philosophy is centred around the individual needs and abilities of each child. We believe in nurturing their skills in a supportive, pressure-free environment that acknowledges their personal development timeline. This approach ensures that children grow their confidence in the water, learn at a pace that suits them, and, most importantly, enjoy the process of learning to swim.

Physical ability and developmental stages play significant roles in how a child learns and masters swimming techniques. Recognizing and respecting these differences allows us to tailor our teaching methods to each child's specific needs. At Aquatots, encouragement and positive reinforcement are our tools of choice, helping every child to develop their swimming abilities in a way that feels natural and enjoyable to them.

By fostering a learning environment that values individual progress and development, we aim to instil a lifelong love of swimming and confidence in the water for every child.

Quality Short Laps v's Distance, For Learn To Swim

Wed, 21 Feb 2024 07:53:24 GMT

Why shorter distance is better when learning technique

At Aquatots we teach children technique in short effective laps. Once your child has gained the technique required we lengthen the distance they will be swimming. By doing short quality laps multiple times we gain faster results to stronger, more technical swimming strokes.

Teaching swimming technique effectively requires a nuanced approach, particularly with children. Short laps combined with sufficient recovery time stand out as the optimal method for several reasons, primarily to avoid muscle fatigue and to reinforce good technique. When children engage in swimming activities, their muscles are subjected to unique strains compared to dry land exercises. Swimming involves almost every muscle group, and the resistance of water magnifies the effort required.

By focusing on short laps, instructors can concentrate on teaching and correcting technique in manageable segments. This approach allows for immediate feedback and correction, which is crucial for developing efficient swimming habits. Good technique, such as proper breathing, body alignment, and stroke efficiency, significantly reduces unnecessary energy expenditure, allowing for more extended periods of swimming without early onset of fatigue.

Moreover, recovery periods are vital. They not only prevent muscle fatigue but also give children time to absorb the instructions and mentally prepare for applying corrections. This strategic rest is when the body repairs and strengthens itself, making it an integral part of physical training.

Children who learn to swim with proper technique early on find it easier to swim longer distances as their efficiency in the water increases. They conserve energy, experience less fatigue, and enjoy swimming more, laying a foundation for a lifetime of aquatic enjoyment and safety.

At Aquatots your child will be taught technique for strokes in the above manner however life saving swims (by any means possible over distance) are also covered in our programs for safety reasons.

The end result we strive for is always a comfortable, confident swimmer.

Engagement at an advanced school level

callum.gracie@ottomedia.com.au (Callum Gracie) — Tue, 16 Jan 2024 03:56:14 GMT

Engagement at a Sharks level

One of our philosophies here at Aqautots is swimming for life and we want your swimmer to have a life long love of the water. Swimming can be a long journey for some swimmers as everyone learns at different rates so we want to keep your child interested and excited about coming swimming for as many years as it takes to confidently say they are safe in the water. Here are a few tips to help with this:

1. Ask your child what they are working in there lessons. If they are finding a skill difficult, find out how you can help them to succeed with that particular skill. It may be more swimming time, booking them into a holiday program so they have more opportunities to practice that skill or giving them the time to talk through the skill with either yourself, the instructor or the on deck supervisor (our on deck supervisors have many years of teaching experience behind them) who will have some tips for your swimmer to help them achieve their goals.

2. Your interest in your child's swimming will also help keep them motivated to come back to the pool every week. Your encouragement means a lot to them so while it's great to have that swimming time to catch up on your emails or doing a spot of online shopping (we all love that!) take the time to watch your child's swimming lessons so you have an idea of what there learning and how they are feeling about it. Children can get disheartened and frustrated when they seem stuck on a particular skills so keep the communication open with your child and if your not sure how to deal with the situation please don't hesitate to ask for advice from your on deck supervisor. We want your child to be succeeding at swimming so we're always here to help.

3. We want you and your swimmer to have a good experience with us at Aquatots so a few things may need to be factored into this to keep swimming exciting and fun. The first is making sure your child is enjoying the lesson. This may be because they really like the instructor who is taking that class or they may have made friends with some children in the class or that time and day is best for them because they are fresh at this time. If these factors makes your child happy and wanting to come to swimming each week then factor this into your decisions when you change your child's booking to a different time, day or pool. If you change and they are not happy you may find it difficult to get back into that class with the same swimmers and instructor which may see your swimmer loose interest.

4. Always stay positive about the swimming experience. The best outcome for our whole swim school is that everyone is happy and working towards a common goal of learning how to swim. By having a positive and challenging environment to do this in everyone can blossom to his or her full potential. We ask that you help us to gain this type of environment by letting us know if we can help you or your swimmer in any way.

5. If your child is struggling with gaining technique at this level it is a great time to look at their swim wear. Long board shorts, rash shirts and suits will drag in the water and restrict movements required for technical swimming. In squad levels children are expected to wear regular swim wear for their training sessions so starting earlier in Sharks levels will prepare them and make gaining technical strokes easier for your child.

6. Ensure you give them a chance to see what their swimming skills can do for them. Encourage participation in water sports and swimming carnivals. Most kids at this level will surprise themselves with their swimming ability compared to others around the same age. Watch professional water sports or mini clips on swimming technique so kids can get a visual on what is required, how to get there and what the outcome of them gaining the skills can lead to.

A successful first lesson

callum.gracie@ottomedia.com.au (Callum Gracie) — Mon, 04 Dec 2023 22:08:43 GMT

At Aquatots we understand that each child is different and will make their own learn to swim journey. To help them on their way we offer fun and engaging classes with qualified instructors and a program with proven results.

If your child is starting their learn to swim journey at the age of three years or older you must understand that an aquatic environment is going to be a scary, unfamiliar environment for them to start with. You will, in the beginning be handing them over to a stranger as this is what their instructor will be until they build a rapport so expect an adjustment period. The Aquatots team is trained to encourage children to swim in their own time and children are never forced to perform skills they are not ready for. Our gentle guiding method is very successful with chidlren starting their swim progression in the pre school program. By allowing your child to explore and encouraging them to progress through gentle guidance we end up with comfortable, confident swimmers.

With our small group classes children get the individual attention that they need. Below are a few tips on how you can make your child's first class a success:

Talk about the class with your child prior to their start date. If possible find out their instructors name so you can relay this information and create familiarity
Wear your swimmers underneath but do not tell your child you have them (they may surprise you). If your child needs you in the water for the first few lessons to start their relationship with their instructor we welcome parents into the pre school classes
Be attentive of your child in the class but try not to hover if they are making progress towards getting in on their own
Turn up a bit before the class starts to be ready on time and not rushed. The more relaxed you can make the experience the more relaxed your child will be
Bring a familiar toy from home they can show their instructor, this toy can be a water toy to take in the pool with them
Be sure to praise your child for their efforts after each class no matter how small the progression may seem to you

A great way to get a fast progression toward becoming comfortable in and around an aquatic environment is more swimming time during the week. If you have the chance, attend the pool outside of your child's lesson time to practice and have a bit of fun. Use of the pool during public hours for the immediate family to the child enrolled is free of charge.

If your child is starting in the under three program there are also some things you can do to try and help your little one have a successful first class.

Be aware your child will pick up quickly on how you are feeling, ensure you are relaxed and in the right frame of mind to attend the class calmly
Smile often and praise your child for the efforts they are making, if you are having fun they will relax and have fun
Turn up with enough time for you to get changed and allow your child to take in the surroundings
Understand that your child may get tired quickly. Best to have a short happy lesson until your babies stamina builds up
A fed, alert baby will always be a little happier and more willing than one that is tired and hungry
Ensure you listen to your instructor, they are fully qualified and have years of experience with baby learn to swim classes
If this is your child's first time in the water or in classes, sometimes it is best to have the primary carer in the water for the first few lessons until your baby is settled and comfortable

Always understand that there is someone there to help. The amazing team at Aquatots have been chosen beacause they are the best of the best and are always willing to go the extra mile. If you are unsure please ask, if you need help please ask, or if you have any questions please feel free to ask.

We look forward to making your child's time in and around the water a fun and enjoyable experience.

The Winter Swim Season Tips & Tricks

callum.gracie@ottomedia.com.au (Callum Gracie) — Mon, 04 Dec 2023 22:06:51 GMT

Swimming through winter is a crucial part of your child's progression to becoming safer in and around an aquatic environment.

We understand that parents can sometimes find it hard to continue or have heard that swimming through the cooler months will make your child sick. As long as the pool where your child learns has warm water and heats the air temperature there should be no reason why a child should stop their progression

Aquatots has a few tips on why and how you can continue ensuring your child has continuation of this life saving skill

WHY?

Swimming through winter will ensure your child continues to build on their swimming skills and are prepared for the warmer weather. Unfortunately drowning does not discriminate between the seasons and if you think its cold here always remember children in Sweden also learn to swim.

Swimming through winter will mean your child secures their position in the program for warmer months and are ready for summer swimming

Another crucial reason to try and continue your child swimming through winter will be their growth. When a child grows their center of buoyancy will change and if they have stopped the progression they will need to relearn their center of buoyancy. This will put some children back a few steps and will make them feel uneasy or awkward in the water, as they will be unbalanced for a while. If a child continues to swim through this period the adjustment period is much quicker as it is a continuation rather than a relearn.

Strengthening immunity

Swimming also builds your child's immune system and strengthens their body and lungs meaning if your child is to get sick their healthy body will reduce the recovery time and number of times they will get sick through the cooler months.

Children and babies unfortunately will get sick from other sick people. To help them fight off these nasty bugs Aquatots recommends

Ensuring your child has a well rounded diet and enough sleep
Keep yourself healthy
Dress your child (and yourself) completely before exiting the buildings. This includes warm hats and shoes
Add a probiotic to your child's daily diet
Continue to be active throughout the cooler months. Exercise promotes healthy bodies and healthy minds
Flu shots might be an option for children old enough and parents to ward off most of the nasty ones

Dry skin, eczema & other skin problems

Dry skin and eczema can flare up through the cooler months due to heating and other environmental factors. Our recommendation to assist with this would be

Ensure you put a barrier cream on your child before they enter the water
Once your class has finished rinse and wash your child in Luke warm water with non soap products
Re cream your child with quality cream or oil. We suggest coconut oil, moo goo or itchy baby products. . Please also remember to cream your baby/child before they go to bed each night as this is when moisturiser is best absorbed
Wash your child's (& your own) swim wear regularly to avoid bacteria breading on the material

To avoid the spread or chance of spreading some skin conditions it is important to use your own clean towel. Do not share towels

Ear infections, grommets and other ear issues

If your child has grommets or is susceptible to ear infections there are ways your child can continue to learn how to swim and survive. To continue your child's swimming progression Aquatots recommends

Ear putty (child specific putty can be purchased from our swim shop). Ear putty must be used correctly for it to stay in and seal the ear cavity
Over the ears we also recommend a head band (correct neoprene ones can be purchased from our swim shop or online)
The swim cap can either be placed over or under the head band
Only use the ear equipment if your child has grommets or continuously is getting ear infections (2 or 3 in 1 month).
If this is not the case please DO NOT use the ear equipment allow the ear to drain naturally
SwimSEAL is a new product we offer at our shop which is an ear spray for the ear before entering the water. This spray coats the ear canal and repels the water from entering the canal. More information on this awesome product can be found on their website.

Ensure the pool your child learns in not only heats their water (30 or above) but the air temperature as well.

Babies under the age of 1 usually will not shiver when they are cold you must monitor the colour of their lips, if they turn blue you must exit immediately to avoid the risk of hypothermia

When children & babies get cold their brains shut down messages to the extremities, it is extremely hard to teach a child/baby to swim if their brain is not communicating with their arms and legs.

A warm comfortable centre will not only maximise your child's swimming enjoyment & learning capability but will help with keeping the bugs at bay

Exclusions from lessons and our swim centres

We really try hard to keep our pools as healthy as possible and would appreciate your help on the matter. If you or your child is sick please do not attend the centre. This will help in keeping our centres healthy and ensure your child's instructor can keep up a consistent attendance.

Exclusions are as follows

If your child looks or is acting out of sorts or has visible signs of being unwell
If you child has green, white or yellow snot (a snot chart has been included for your reading pleasure)
Any unidentified rash must be cleared by a medical practitioner before the child can attend the class
Open wounds are not to be put in the water
A 48-hour exclusion period applies to diarrhoea and vomiting. Children are not to attend until 48 hours after the last loose stool or vomit
All other exclusions follow the child care and school guidelines which can be found on the following site https://www.nhmrc.gov.au/

Moving Up a Class

callum.gracie@ottomedia.com.au (Callum Gracie) — Mon, 04 Dec 2023 21:55:08 GMT

Progressing to the next level of swimming can be an exciting time for children and parents. For some of the classes there are differences between what they have been doing and what they will be expected to do in the higher level.

It is important you talk to your child about what's going on and how well they are doing with their swimming, this means they will be moving into a higher level to learn new things. Explain to them that they are in the new level to learn new skills and are not expected to know how to do the skills straight away. The best thing about the Aquatots program is we touch on all strokes throughout the complete program which means that a strong foundation has already been put in to place to help children with the new expectations of the level.

Below are a few differences that you may come across from level to level or program to program.

JELLY FISH to SEA HORSE

Around the age of three your child will be assessed for their readiness to graduate into the Sea Horse program. To be ready your child needs to be happy to go with their instructor, follows simple instructions and can understand to wait for their turn.

Once they are ready to progress they will be placed in a transition class with their Jelly Fish instructor. This class does not require a parent or gaurdian in the water any longer but we do recommend you bring your swimmers just in case. Having your child attend their first Sea Horse classes with a familiar instructor will help your child with their transition into the Sea Horse program. Your child will spend a maximum of 3 lessons. If your child transitions well and is ready to move into a Sea Horse class this will be done. To transition well children need to be able to wait their turn, follow instructions and be comfortable to stay with the instructor in the assigned area.

We recommend that children view a class in progress to help with the transition.

Sea Horse classes do not require a parent/guardian in the water for the class. We do recommend you come prepared for the first couple of lessons ready to get in as parents are welcome to assist until your child is comfortable in the new class
The class size for the Sea Horse 1 & 2 classes are 3 kids to one instructor, Sea Horse 3 & 4 there are 4 kids per one instructor
Your child will receive a medal a certificate and an Aquatots cap for graduating
Swim caps must be worn in the Sea Horse program (and above)

MINI LEVELS or DOLPHIN 4 to SHARKS

When children can swim freestyle and backstroke technically correct they will move into the Sharks program. We recommend children view a class in progress once they have graduated.

Some of the differences will be

The class is 45 minutes rather than 30. This is to have enough time to master breaststroke, add distance with the ones in preperation for squad level swimming and master the required life saving skillsÂ
The distances and length of the class may mean your child needs to build their swimming stamina to make the class easily, this will happen with practice and consistency in attendence

SQUAD PREP to DEVELOPMENT SQUAD

Once children have completed all four strokes they will be ready for development squad. A training session is 1 hour duration and parents are allowed to drop children off and return to pick them up once they have finished training. We recommend children view a training session before they decide if they would like to join the squad program.

Coaches are out of the water for these sessions
Children are expected to swim laps (to start with their stamina will need to build up)
No rash shirts or board shorts are to be warn for training sessions
Once your child has done a term of 1 session per week. If they would like to add another session they are welcome to (only 1 night session per child is allowed) Extra training sessions are at no extra cost however if your child holds a position and does not attend they will be removed from the session they do not attend.
If your child would like to compete we offer the Sea Dragon swim squad that attends carnivals. To join this squad please talk to your child's coach

What does my child need to do to move up?

callum.gracie@ottomedia.com.au (Callum Gracie) — Mon, 04 Dec 2023 06:07:56 GMT

Level Requirements

Please keep in mind that each child is different and will develop their skills at different times in their swimming career. Other factors of swim progression and development at a baby swim level will be when your baby started their learn to swim journey.

To move up from Aqua Bubba's babies must be 6 months or older. Your baby will show readiness by supporting their trunk and head with ease. Splashing and making propulsive movements with their limbs. Sitting on their own or with minimal assistance.

To move up from Jelly Fish 1 babies need to be mobile and around 1 year.

To move up form Jelly Fish 2 babies will turn 2 year. or to move into the advanced class (Jelly Fish 4 babies must perform a propulsive front swim and an assisted back float/gilde)

To move up form Jelly Fish 3 babies are around the age of 3 years. or to move into the advanced class (Jelly Fish 4 babies must perform a propulsive front swim and an assisted back float/gilde)

To move up form Jelly Fish 3 or 4 children must be around the age of 3 years and must demonstrate readiness to attend a class without a parent or guardian. This will include

Following simple instructions
Happy to stay in the water with their current instructor with parent or guardian out of the water
Can wait when asked
Complete 2 or 3 successful Sea Horse Transition classes with their previous Jelly Fish instructor

Sea Horse 1 & Dolphin 1

To graduate from these levels children need to perform a front glide with ease and back glide with correct head position. This can be from a sitting, standing or instructor lead start. Move independently in shallow water, monkey along the wall without assistance and jump in and turn back to the wall with little to no help.

Sea Horse 2 & Dolphin 2

To graduate children must demonstrate a front kick with a propulsive kick and correct head position then roll to their back using correct breath control (blowing out under water and breathing in above the water) to continue their propulsion on their back. Assisted treading water, basic dive, duck dive, right themselves in shallow water from front and back and can use their hands and arms to propel.

Sea Horse 3 & Dolphin 3

To graduate children must perform front arm circles using an effective reach and pull for a distance that requires them to roll and breath then continue their swim. They must also show backstroke coordinating arms and legs with an effective reach and pull for a distance. Jump in and back float recovery, somersault, tread waterfor a short period of time, swim 10 meters without assistance and basic breaststroke.

Sea Horse 4

To graduate children must start school or be 5 years of age. In this level children will be working on gaining correct technique for all four strokes in preparation for squad level.

Mini Dolphin & Dolphin 4

To graduate children need to demonstrate correct technique including side breathing for freestyle and backstroke for the allocated distance (or turn 7 for mini Dolphin 4's). Baic tumble turn, survival sequence, intermediate Breaststroke and Butterfly, 20 meter swim.

Mini Squad Prep & Squad Prep

To graduate children must perform technical freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly for the allocated distance (or turn 7 for mini squad prep) Upon completion children will be invited to join the Sea Dragons swim squad

If your child is completing the program at this level we will require them to complete their Royal Life Saving award.

Transition Squad

To graduate children must turn 7 year

Development Squad

Child needs to swim 400 IM using correct technique for the distance or turn 12 year

Comp Squad

Child needs to turn 12 years of age

Swim Fit

Child needs to turn 16 years of age

School swim classes v's Regular swim classes

callum.gracie@ottomedia.com.au (Callum Gracie) — Mon, 04 Dec 2023 05:57:36 GMT

Around this time of year most schools will have swim lessons as part of their curriculum. At Aquatots we commend school swim programs as every child should have the right to learn this life saving skill. The more chances we can expose children to an aquatic environment and give them access to lessons the safer our children will be.

We do feel it is important that parents understand what school swim classes are about as sometimes parents feel they should choose between regular classes and school classes.

School swim programs will see large numbers of children in the one class. At Aquatots the maximum of Kindy classes is 6 kids to one instructor and the other years have 8 kids per one instructor. Aquatots school classes are considered small compared to many other school swim programs.

Children in the school programs will have the chance to practice their swimming which is great but most of the time they will not get the individual attention to detail they would have in their regular swim class. A quicker progression is usually due to physical corrections made by instructors to help imprint muscle memory. In the larger groups it is hard to make the focus o individual technique.

Attending school swim classes is extremely exciting for children as they are out of school, they are with their friends and there are no parents to watch their class. In some instances children will be busy having fun with their friends instead of really focusing on what is required from them.

Most schools want to do their swim program in a two week block. This usually means children will get a different instructor each day. This method also takes it toll on kids and school teachers as it is exhausting for them. Two weeks done in one block can see some progression but by the time the children settle the program is over. The skills learnt do not retain once they have finished unless there is continuation of practice. Programs that run once a week over the 10 weeks of the term will see more consistent instructors to the classes and the children have a chance o settle into a routine making the learning process easier for them.

Children attending both regular swim classes and schools programs will see a quicker progression as practice time is bumped up per week. More water time and more lessons per week will equal a fast progression for your child. Keeping your child in their regular classes will also mean that your child retains their position in the program for when they are ready to return to regular classes.

Water Polo

callum.gracie@ottomedia.com.au (Callum Gracie) — Mon, 04 Dec 2023 05:55:15 GMT

Aquatots Flipper ball program is a great way to introduce your child to the sport of water polo.

Flipper Ball is a modified method of playing water polo, making it easier for children at a younger age to participate and have fun.

The Flipper ball program is free of charge for children in the Aquatots program.

The flipper ball program runs for 5 weeks of the term with a Sunday game day. Once booked there will be the expectation that children will attend all sessions (unless sick) as the team will be counting on them.

Children will learn ball skills, treading water and how to work as a team in a fun and engaging environment.

Please book via the customer portal

Homework

callum.gracie@ottomedia.com.au (Callum Gracie) — Mon, 04 Dec 2023 05:53:40 GMT

There are lot's of ways you can help your child with their swimming progression without even going near the water. When your child is learning to swim you must understand that 30 minutes a week to learn is not a lot of time. Helping your child's muscle memory by doing the required movements out of the water can help their swimming progression to no end. Stretching the required muscles and tendons to complete the movements for the technique can help your child transfer the movement to the water and gain the technique faster.

Things to practice at home that will help at any level of your child's swim progression are things like jumping, hanging, swinging, rolling, risk taking, problem solving and any type of activity that will build on core strength.

Some homework for the different levels at Aquatots can be as follows

SEA HORSE 1 & DOLPHIN 1

Breath control can be practiced by working on holding breath and blowing out on cue. You can practice the blowing into drinks through straws or blowing light objects across a surface like ping pong balls.

Working on wetting the face and making this a positive and fun experience can help with confidence. Always treat water on the face as a positive thing. Sing songs and make it fun, when the water is on your child's face it is important that you do not wipe it off for them, encourage them to understand water on the face is ok.

Rocket arm position is also great to practice out of the water. Ensure your child's ears are in front of their arms when practicing this position ready to transfer to the water. This position can be done on the floor, standing tall or planking on a stool/chair etc for added core strength.

SEA HORSE 2 & DOLPHIN 2

The muscles for rolling in the water can be built by practicing rolling on the ground at home. Try to encourage your child to roll turning their head as the head will turn the body when in the water

Practice pointing and flexing the feet to stretch the tendons. Ensure you use the key words point and flex so we can start building on the terminology used in class.

Lay on tummy and practice freestyle kick movement. Ensure the movement is coming from the hips. This needs to be done front and back. For added core strength do the exercise in a plank position on a stool/chair.

SEA HORSE 3 & DOLPHIN 3

Talk about strong swimming hands and practice the difference between floppy hands and swimming hands

Make the correct arm movements on land for backstroke, ensure the bicep touches the ear and the hand brushes the thigh every round. This will force the correct shoulder roll movement required to perform the correct arm positions. Arms must always move in opposites. For extra strength you can have your child hold full soft drink cans while performing the movement.

Make the correct movements for freestyle arms, arms never catch up and always move in opposites. Ensure a long strong stretch. The upper body should turn with the arm movements but the head needs to stay still.

SEA HORSE 4 & MINI/DOLPHIN 4

Practice on dry land bending at the hips, arms circles and turning the head to breath as the backhand exits the water. The head should turn back before the arm gets back around to the front.

Talk about strong swimming hands and the forearms like ores on a boat pushing the water to the leg for a strong backstroke pull

MINI/SHARK ADVANCED

Chant the timing for breaststroke arms, breath, kick, glide 1 2 over and over

Work on breaststroke arm movement making sure that the hands do not pull back past the shoulders

Frog kick can be practiced on the floor, have both feet kick the bottom, turn the feet out, legs apart and around to the start. Encourage a toe point at the end of the kick and count to 2

TRANS SQUAD PREP/SQUAD PREP

Walk around doing the butterfly arm pattern. Strong hands push down to the hips, pinky's out then swing the hands back to the start. Thumbs should be pointing to the ground for the whole stroke and hands should end up back together in front.

Have your child lay on their tummy on the floor and work on bringing the shoulder blades together to strengthen the back. It is usually the strength available in this area that will allow your child to perform the correct movement for butterfly arms.

Practice timing of the breath by brining the head up as the arms press down past the hips, head should be back down before the arms are back in front

Work on kick by moving the hips back and forward, this will build on muscle memory and core strength.

Another great way to help your child with their progression is to get to the pool as often as possible. Allowing your child to play and explore the water will not only build their confidence but have them at ease with their buoyancy in the water. A child that is balanced in the water will find it easier to gain correct technique.

Your child's report card will also give you an idea of what your child needs to master to progress to the next level. If you would like some help understanding what it is your child needs to do to progress please feel free to talk to our amazing team leaders (they are in the bright green shirts), they are more than happy to let you know and give tips on what you can do to help your child achieve what is required.

Swimming Progression, how it works

callum.gracie@ottomedia.com.au (Callum Gracie) — Mon, 04 Dec 2023 00:20:50 GMT

At Aquatots we start our babies at 6 weeks of age because we understand the benefits of an early reintroduction to a watery environment. The benefits being, physical, mental and of course safety around and aquatic environment.

Monitoring the children that started in the 6 week program we are finding that children are up to learning the technical side of all four strokes by the age of 5.

Throughout your child's learn to swim journey you will see a lot of progression, some plateaus in the progression and sometimes even a small regression from time to time. In this article I am hoping to help parents to understand how swimming progression works for children and babies.

The progression of your child's swimming will have a lot to do with the consistency and frequency that they attend lessons and or practice their swimming outside of lesson time. Learning to swim is like learning to walk, if you only allow your child to practice walking for 30 minutes per week this skill would take a long time to master. The same goes for swimming. The more your child is allowed to practice and explore the water the quicker they will progress with their skills.

We recommend attending your regular weekly class but also using the free public hours and attending the pool to practice and or have a play. If you are unsure as to what you should be practicing when you attend these sessions ask your supervisor on deck or your child's instructor for handy hints.

Bumping your child's classes up to twice a week is also a great way to see a quicker progression. The cost of a 2nd lesson is at 30% less than the full price of a term.

Another great way to see a quicker progression or help your child get past a skill they may be stuck on is intense swimming. Either bump up swimming time during free periods or book the intensive holiday programs. The holiday programs are free of charge for children that have a roll over booking with Aquatots.

Homework can also be done at home without water. Gaining the muscle memory for the movements required for the strokes can be done out of the water. For some suggestions on what you can do for home work please read our homework article.

The main times you will see a plateau or even a slight regression in your child's swimming will be

TIME OFF

If they have had time away or a break from swimming. Unfortunately the skills do not retain when children are in the learn to swim phase so taking a break can cause a regression of skills already mastered. A child's brain is culling connections that are not used to make room for new ones all of the time. If your child is not practicing the movement or their swimming unfortunately the connections are broken. The best way to help your child regain skills is to bump up water time during the week. More repetitive movement will recreate the connections faster.

GROWTH SPURTS

A plateau in swimming progression is usually present when your child has a growth spurt. When your child grows their centre of buoyancy will change. They will become unbalanced in the water and will need a chance to rebalance before you can see a progression again. If your child does not swim through a growth spurt regaining balance in the water will become a longer process.

CO-ORDINATION

Progression will usually slow when your child begins to learn strokes or the technical side of strokes. The reason for this is mastering the strokes takes co-ordination and your child's brain is still developing and working on motor skills and co-ordination.

BRAIN DEVELOPMENT

In addition to the swimming progression you will also come up against brain development and physical development stages. An important brain development leap will happen around the age of two.

Allow your child to learn at their own pace but understand you can help them speed up the process by using our tips and tricks above. Always stay positive throughout all stages of your child's learn to swim and understand if they are in a flat spot of progression that they will come out the other side as long as you keep practicing.

AQUATOTS CARES ABOUT YOUR CHILD'S PROGRESSION

At Aquatots we care about your child's progression. We monitor all children in the program. Sometimes children can get stuck on a skill. If your child has been in the same level for over 3 terms the supervisor is alerted and a progression plan is put in place between your child's instructor and the supervisor. The supervisor may come and talk to you about what your child needs to work on with their technique and will give you some suggestions on how you can help them master the skill/s they may be struggling with. A holiday program is also suggested at this stage, children that need a progression plan in place will be invited to book into the holiday program early to help with progression. If your child completes 4 terms at the same level and they have a good attendance record and has tried a holiday program your supervisor will offer a progress class to help them gain the skills required to move up. A progress class will be free of charge and your child will be in their progress class until they move to the next level. Progress classes are offered at your supervisors discretion.

On shift we also have spare instructors, our spares are fully qualified instructors and are on hand to help. One of their jobs is to help with kids progression. If you see your child working one on one with one of our amazing spares this is to help them to work on the skills they require to move to the next level.

If you have questions about your child's progression please feel free to talk to our supervisor on shift. Supervisors are in green shirts and are always available to answer questions and or give suggestions. Always remeber we are here to help :-)

The low down on Floatation Devises

callum.gracie@ottomedia.com.au (Callum Gracie) — Mon, 04 Dec 2023 00:15:07 GMT

Coming into Summer many parents ask what the best floatation devise to use when they are on holidays.

At Aquatots we do not recommend floatation devises for swimming but do understand that they give babies/children freedom to swim on their own. If you have decided to try a floatation devise with your child you must understand that your child will need to have swimming time without the float as well to maintain swimming skills and correct body position.

With this advise we also want parents to understand that any floatation devise does not and should not replace adult active supervision in or around water.

The best type of swimming you can do over Summer with your child is freedom to move and explore using their own buoyancy.

Any floatation devise you use on your child will change their centre of buoyancy. Most will have your child swimming vertically or in an upright position. Having your child swimming in this position for long period will imprint the incorrect muscle memory and movement for swimming. It is best practice to have your child in a horizontal position when swimming so they can move easily through the water. Having them swim freely will also mean they are learning how to rely on their own buoyancy and balance correctly in the water.

Floatation devises also give parents and children the false sense that the child can swim. If a child that has learnt to swim with a buoyancy aid falls into water they are usually unable to save them selves.

In saying all of this if you do choose to use a buoyancy aid ensure you use it for a short period and then allow your child to swim freely. Below are some things to consider when purchasing

Any float around the waist can tip over and actually hold your baby underwater. Children using this type of buoyancy aid do not have the physical strength to right themselves in these situations.

Float vests are great fun once your child gains the core strength and ability to use one. Do not assume your child will be able to use one of these straight away. It will take a bit of time for them to work it out and stop rolling around.

Floaties can come with air all around the arm, we find these work well as it will hold your child's mouth away form the water. These are the worst for teaching a vertical swim though.

Noodles are ok as they can come on and off as they please. The noodle will also teach a vertical swim if your child has it under their arms or sits on it like a horse.

Neck rings are banned in Australia and should not be used.

For a quick learning progression to independent swimming is to be in the water with your child. Allow them to explore on their own. If your child does fall into the deeper water guide them back to the ledge/edge, eventually you will find they will start to do this themselves. If your child is to fall over in shallow water try not to pick them up but allow them to right themselves by guiding them to do so at first and you will find that they will also start to perform this skill on their own.

Swimming with your child without a float is always great bonding time. In the water your child gains 100% quality time with the person in the water. Swimming is a lot of fun and great exercise for the whole family.

Always remember a floatation devise should never replace active adult supervision in or around water.

We hope you all have a great Summer break and get to the water as much as you can. Any type of swimming will help your child's swimming progression especially if it is play based. We always look forward to seeing the kids after the break as many of them have progressed so much due to the increase in water contact over the break.

Happy Summer Swimming!

starting kindy and continuing swimming

callum.gracie@ottomedia.com.au (Callum Gracie) — Mon, 04 Dec 2023 00:13:08 GMT

School Carnivals

callum.gracie@ottomedia.com.au (Callum Gracie) — Mon, 04 Dec 2023 00:08:41 GMT

Many school carnivals will start in the first 3 weeks of term. It is always an exciting time of the year but can also be very nerve racking for some kids. We do encourage children that are able to give the carnival a go. If you are unsure if your child is able to make the distance please have a chat to our friendly supervisors or give us a call.

Aquatots hot tips for children racing in school carnivals (especially if this is the first year they are allowed)

Take them to the big pool to have a go before the day. Swimming especially racing in the big pool can be quiet daunting for the kids and having a go first will get rid of some of the nerves on the day
Ensure their goggles are fitted a little tighter for diving in on the day
Children do NOT have to dive from the blocks, they can go from the side or even start in the water
Pack lots of snacks & water for the day
Talk to them about getting tired through the race. If they feel they need a rest its OK. Encourage them to roll onto their backs and rest/kick or grab onto the lane rope, have a break and then continue on
If their stroke does not look as AMAZING as it usually does please do not harp on this at the end of the race, instead give them lots of praise for having a go. Sometimes when children are trying to go fast their technique may suffer

It does not matter where they come its a matter of giving it a go and we are always so proud of them for doing so. Sometimes your child will surprise themselves (and you) with their swimming skills

Lastly we would LOVE to hear from you in regards to your child's carnival. It is not only a proud moment for children and parents but for their instructor as well. Aquatots instructors really enjoy hearing about the kids racing achievements, please email your report to us or catch the supervisor on deck so they can pass the message on to your child's instructor enquiries@aquatots.com.au

Beautiful Baby Back Floats

callum.gracie@ottomedia.com.au (Callum Gracie) — Mon, 04 Dec 2023 00:04:34 GMT

BEAUTIFUL BABY BACK FLOATS

Back floating can be a tough skill to master. This article is Aquatots back floating techniques and information to help you guide your baby into a beautiful back float.

Things that can effect your babies back float.

The Righting Reflex

Around the age your baby starts to move, roll over and sit up the righting reflex will come into play (around 5 months). A baby that used to be happy to lay down before will start to try and sit up or put their legs in the air. This is because their brain sends messages to their body to tell it to right itself as this is the direction their development is going. You may find nappy change time is becoming a struggle as well, this is also due to the righting reflex.

Water in the ears

If your baby is joining in after the age of 1 or has not had much to do with back floating the feeling of water filling up the ear canal can be a funny sensation. This will take a bit of getting used to by your baby and the more you can practice the quicker this will happen.

Being still

Swimming can be fun and exciting and sometimes your baby will not want to lay down and be still. If this is the case you will need to use distractions and a counting cue.

10 steps to a perfect back float

Support your baby under the armpits so they feel secure and you have control of their torso
Rest your babies back against your shoulder
Slowly lower into the water (making sure your baby does not feel like their falling backwards)
Start your counting cue as you lower into the water (start with 3 then move to 5) by using a cue your baby will know there is a finish point and will be more likely to relax for the count.
Try to get low enough so that their ears are completely submerged. By filling up the ear with water the water will not slosh around in their ear and make them uncomfortable.
Once you get to the number you said you would get to allow your baby to sit up (always! As this will build trust and an understanding)
When your baby has performed a back float allow them to sit up and congratulate them and allow them to gain a reward (toy or what they want)
Once your baby is comfortable doing the back float on your shoulder change your grip and perform it off the shoulder
Once you feel your baby relax off the shoulder and the weight comes off your hands gently let them go (keep your hands near incase they sit up)
Sometimes a bit of movement will help your baby relax into the back float. It also gives them the feeling of the water supporting their weight. Moving backwards when your baby performs their back float is the way to go.

The most important thing to remember is to make it fun. Use distractions, songs, games, numbers or toys. Start short and simple and then extend. NEVER force your baby on their back and the end result will be a comfortable confident back floating baby.

If you have any questions regarding back floating techniques please feel free to ask your highly qualified instructor or our wonderful supervisors

Toys are Tools not Distractions

callum.gracie@ottomedia.com.au (Callum Gracie) — Mon, 04 Dec 2023 00:00:35 GMT

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.

Helping with Confidence

callum.gracie@ottomedia.com.au (Callum Gracie) — Sun, 03 Dec 2023 23:57:54 GMT

Some children take to the water and their lessons like like a fish to water. Other children are more hesitant and will struggle with what we view as simple tasks - like putting their faces in the water. As a parent, there are lots of ways you can help support and encourage your child..

Be understanding-If this is where you have decided to start your child's learn to swim journey they have already had years for their fears to set in. You will be placing them in an environment that they are not comfortable with and giving them to a person (their instructor) that is a stranger. It is going to take time for your child to build a relationship with their instructor to then start trusting and being able to progress with their swimming.
Be patient- don't lose your temper or try and force your child to perform the things they are not ready for. This will create a negative environment for the child, add pressure for them and a feeling of failure.
Be encouraging- celebrate every small achievement no matter how small it seems for you! For a child that is not comfortable Â putting their eyes in the water simply pouring water on their face successfully is a big deal celebrate all their achievements and give positive reinforcement.
Keep the communication open- with your child's instructor let them know what your child is worried about (if you know) so that their instructor can help address the issue in class.
Try not to compare your child- to other children each child has their own individual journey with swimming, comparing them to other children is like comparing oranges and apples each is completely different!
PRACTICE- take your child to the pool outside lesson times, the benefits are amazing! Just playing with your child and letting them feel in control can help them gain confidence quickly. Aquatots offers free use of the pool to your child and their immediate family so take advantage of this!

If you would like tips on how to help your child gain confidence in and around the water please feel free to contact us or see our friendly on deck team for a face to face chat. Every shift has an On Deck Supervisor who has many years of teaching experience behind them. They all have lot's of tips and tricks for you and your little one.

Helping Pre School Age Progression

callum.gracie@ottomedia.com.au (Callum Gracie) — Sun, 03 Dec 2023 23:56:35 GMT

Helping your Pre Schoolers Progression.

As with everything in your child's life (and your own) a quick progression to mastering skills comes from practice. Putting your child's swim lesson time into perspective with something like teaching them to walk 30 minutes a week is not a lot of time to practice, If you only allowed your child to practice their walking for 30 minutes a week you can understand that it would take them a while to build the muscle, movement and co-ordination to do this. Swimming is the same. 30 minutes per week is great! It is better than nothing but the more you can practice the quicker this progression will be. In a term of swimming lesson (if you make it to every lesson) your child has had a full 5 hours to practice these skills over a three month period. We send them to school for 6 hours per day to learn as this is what is required so the understanding of how a child learns is there, we just need to transfer this into our expectations of learning to swim.

Below are some of our Hot Tips on how to help your pre schoolers progression-

Hot Tip 1- bump up the water time. Public hours at our pools are free of charge for swim school families or head to the public pool for a splash and play. Just by allowing your child to play in the water you will find their progression will speed up. They will be working on their confidence, balance and strength by just having fun. Remember for a quick progression it is not the amount of children in the class that will determine your child's progress or learning speed it is the amount of time you allow them to practice. More water time equals a quicker progression

Hot Tip 2- know what your child needs to work on. If you are unsure ask the team leader on deck. They are always more than happy to let you know and they all have homework that will help with child's progression. Homework can include stretching, strength work or even making the correct movements with the body parts on dry land. Get some tips on how to communicate the technique or requirements to your child. The more they touch on it in between classes (this does not necessarily need to be in the water) the quicker their progression will be.

Hot Tip 3- be positive. Some of us learnt to swim so long ago we forget how tough it actually was. Swimming is one of the most taxing sports you can do it is one of the only sports that works the whole body. It takes a lot of core strength, co-ordination and muscle to make the movements through the water. Keep in mind that your child is not up to the physical or mental ability you now are and tasks you think are simple can sometimes be very hard for a child. When you praise your child for their achievements (no matter how small you think they are) the brain will release dopamine making your child feel good. When a child feels good about something they will want to try it again and again. This is great for learn to swim as progression will come from repetitive practice of the skills. Who would not want to see their happy little faces when they think they have done great anyway!

Hot Tip 4- slow down and step back, children learn by doing give them freedom and space to do this. Seeing your child in their class going underwater is not them misbehaving and not listening its actually them experimenting and becoming comfortable with their bouyancy and breath control. When you see your child playing with the toys understand they are learning cause and effect and how the water effects objects. When they are splashing or making the water move with their arms or legs they are not being annoying they are learning what it feels like to push and pull the water. When they are swimming back instead of monkeying or walking they are learning how to move through the water and be comfortable

The Fundamentals of Strokes

callum.gracie@ottomedia.com.au (Callum Gracie) — Sun, 03 Dec 2023 23:55:00 GMT

Basic fundamentals of strokes

When your child is on their swimming journey there are some basic things us swim instructors and supervisors look for, so we thought by sharing these with you this might help you better understand the skills we teach in our program as well as giving you the tools on how to help your child outside of lesson time.

1. Head position.

The very first thing that's needed is for the body to be in the right position on the water, we call this a streamline position. The head needs to be in a position that makes the rest of the body on top of the water to minimise drag that is put on the body by the water. When on your front you want the head to be looking directly to the bottom of the pool with the arms in front resting just behind the ears. When on your back the face should be directly opposite the roof (or sky if outdoors) with the ears just under the waterline.

2. Correct kicking technique

Once a correct streamline has been achieved the next step is for the swimmer propel through the water, This happens with legs first. A correct kicking technique comes from the hips and the continues down the legs in a Fast long and floppy movement which we call a flutter kick. If the initial movement comes from the knees then the swimmer wouldn't move anywhere and they would use a lot of energy. We're also look for a slight point of the toes. Butterfly kick is the same just simultaneously and a breaststroke kick is achieved with feet turning out, knees bending towards the bottom then legs making a circle movement to end back at a straight leg glide.

3. Breath timing

When our swimmer have achieved the arm and leg co ordination we then move onto the breath timing. In backstroke and butterfly the swimmer breathes forward no higher than the chin to keep that streamline in the water achieved. backstroke there is no real time for breathing because you head isn't in the water so just getting into a good rhythm works best.

Freestyle however can be tricky as the swimmer breathes to the side when the arms are in the recovery phase. The swimmers head needs to be back in the water by the time the pull phase is starting. The head should be close to the ear and shoulder when turning to breathe. We make sure also that the swimmer is blowing bubbles when their head is in the water so that when they turn to breathe they only need to inhale for a smoother stroke.

4. Long strong pull

Stretching the stroke out and using a strong pull through the water will assist with all strokes. The best way to assist your swimmer to achieve a strong pull though the water sculling exercises are great. Eliminate the ability to use the legs and allow your swimmer to move through the water just using their under water pull strokes. This will not only build on the strength of the pull but creates a great feel for the water.

We hope these tips have helped to give you a better understanding of what your child is achieving in the water.

The importance of Breathing and technique

callum.gracie@ottomedia.com.au (Callum Gracie) — Sun, 03 Dec 2023 23:52:09 GMT

Breathing and blowing bubbles may seem like a swimming skill learnt early and something that is easy for your child to do. Then once learnt your child does not need to worry about breathing again. Technical swimming of Freestyle, Breaststroke, Backstroke and Butterfly all use different breathing techniques. Breathing impacts, balance and alignment of the body in the water, buoyancy, propulsion and the effort each muscle in the body must do with every movement. Exhalation and inhalation must be synchronised with arm and leg movements for the variety of strokes, to be able to swim the stroke efficiently and effectively. The longer you exhale, the more easily the air exchange happens. When learning to breathe the exhale should be twice as long as the inhale.

For example, when a child is learning to swim technique Freestyle is not natural for humans to blow bubbles when their face is in the water, our instinct is to hold our breath for survival reasons. When you child is having to co-ordinate rolling their head to the side to breath on every 3-4 strokes, kick continuously and have both arms rotating simultaneously. They tend to hold their breath as they are thinking of so many other things.

By doing this they are hindering themselves entirely. When your child's lungs are full of air makes the chest too buoyant, making their body move up and down at their chest. This causes their legs to sink in the water, creating drag that is not needed. Their body feels heavier due to the drag and their movements feel more un controlled, resulting to reduced speed.

Breathing in general has been scientifically proven to relieves stress, helps calm the body and mind, improves mental clarity, focus, and concentration. When a child holds there breathe they tire quicker the body is tense and stiff, they also become heavy in the water and the movements of the stroke is done fast and uncontrolled. When a child masters the proper inhale and exhale for the desired stroke. There swims become calmer and controlled because they are using their energy correctly, and not using their energy to hold there breathe.

If you are unsure if your child has their breathing technique down pat the best way to check is to grab a pair of goggles and duck under water when they swim and check. The sign our instructors use underwater for bubbles is pointing to their mouth. This will give your child a visual reminder of what you need them to do. Another way to check is when you watch your child swim and they have a pause in their stroke when their face comes out of the water it means they are breathing in and out creating the stroke fault. Encourage them to remember to blow bubbles when their face is underwater and only breath in when their face comes out to create a smooth continuous stroke.

Breathing is key to an effective swim!

Whats Special about our Mini levels

callum.gracie@ottomedia.com.au (Callum Gracie) — Sun, 03 Dec 2023 23:51:11 GMT

What's Special about our Mini's?

Children in our Mini Dolphin 4 and Mini Sharks fly & breaststroke are 5 to 7 year olds that are learning the technical side of all four strokes.

If you have a child in one of these levels you must understand your child is advanced for their age. If your child has started their learn to swim journey around the age of 6 weeks and has continued their learn to swim journey consistently we are seeing the trend of children making it to Mini Dolphin 4 by around the age of 4 or 5 years.

At this stage your child's swim progression will be very stop start due to the fact that their body is growing rapidly which will change their center of buoyancy frequently. It is important your child continues to swim through their growth spurts so they can rebalance and gain control of their body and stroke quickly. If a child takes a break at this stage their growth will effect their swimming ability when they return and they will end up going back one or two levels due to this.

Children at this stage of swimming are awesome to teach, they are usually really enthusiastic about swimming and the whole learning process. It is important that you find an instructor that will inspire and encourage your child to continue their learn to swim right to the end of the program. Once your child does make it to squad level we love for them to give squads a go for at least 1 term so that the movement required for a life long stroke is imprinted in their muscle memory.

Having a Mini Dolphin or Mini Shark makes family holidays so much fun. These kids are strong swimmers (although supervision of children in and around water is always encouraged) They can participate in most to all water sports and water play that you decide to partake in with little to no trouble.

Mini Dolphin 4's to progress will need to perform technical freestyle for 10 meters, this includes a side breath with correct breath control. They will also need to display technical backstroke for 10 meter which will include a shoulder roll, reach catch and pull, coordinating the legs at the same time. Keep in mind that these strokes are hard to master as both sides of the body do opposite things at the same time so it does take a fair bit of coordination.

Â Mini Sharks breaststroke to progress need to perform technical Breaststroke. This will include correct pull which needs to stay in front of the chest keeping the elbows high. Correct kick, feet turned out and completing the kick in a glide. Timing correct, the breath should come just as the pull has started and face should be back in before the arms extend at the completion of the pull. For learn to swim Breaststroke we require a glide in the middle, so encourage your little one to count to two when in a torpedo position.

Mini Shark fly to progress children need to perform technical butterfly. At this age children usually do not have the strength to display a strong butterfly stroke and will not be able to keep the stroke going for long. All we require to see is everything in the correct spot for them to move up. Strength and stamina will come as they grow and the more they practice (squads will do this).

For Butterfly your child needs to push down under the chest, arms come up and around together with the thumbs pointing to the ground the whole recovery, a dolphin kick needs to be present and continuous (preferably a two beat kick, one at the start of the pull and one at the end of the pull).The breath for Butterfly needs to come as the arms are leaving the water for the recovery and the head needs to be back down before the arms touch the water again.

At these levels we recommend bumping up water time for your child to help progression, you must understand these skills are hard to master and the more time your child can practice the quicker their progression will be. This can be done by adding a 2nd lesson (30% discounts apply to 2nd) attend holiday programs when possible and or join in public hours and practice in your own time. More water time=a quicker progression

Congratulations on your child's swimming progression. You should be very proud to have a child in the Aquatots Mini levels. These kids are advanced for their age and can swim!

If you have any questions about your Mini's please feel free to ask our experienced supervisors for tips and tricks.

Benefits of Aqua Aerobics for Seniors

callum.gracie@ottomedia.com.au (Callum Gracie) — Sun, 03 Dec 2023 23:49:40 GMT

BENEFITS OF AQUA AEROBICS FOR SENIORS

Exercising in the aquatic environment has health benefits for all ages but as we age, the advantages over land-based workouts become more pronounced.
Water supports the body, reducing impact and lessening stress on muscles and joints.
Muscle strength declines with age but by using the resistance of water, this can be slowed or reversed.
Working against water resistance promotes better balance, flexibility and co-ordination, which in turn reduces the risk of falls.
Blood Pressure can be lowered due to enhanced circulation, contributing to overall heart health.
Choreography and routines used in this type of exercise help brain function.
Exercises can be modified to accommodate individual health issues and the intensity of the workout is decided by each participant.
Group activities contribute to building a network of friends, making the social aspect equally as important as the physical benefits.

Managing Your Child's Swim Anxiety

callum.gracie@ottomedia.com.au (Callum Gracie) — Sun, 03 Dec 2023 23:48:26 GMT

Managing Your Child's Swim Anxiety,

For adults, learning a new skill can be pretty exciting, but for our little ones, it can be pretty overwhelming. This is especially true for swimming since water can be a daunting terrain even for an adult, let alone a child. How then, can we help our little ones deal with their anxiety when it comes to swimming?

Let them take control.

Anxiety is caused by feelings of helplessness and having no control of your situation. We can help children feel like they have some control over the situation by letting them make choices to do with their swim lesson.

Get them to choose their swimwear and pack their swim bag. Use language that puts them in charge.

Which swim cap are you going to wear today?
Which towel would you like me to put in your bag?

When they head into lessons feeling strong and in control, it gives them that boost of confidence which will help them in the water.

Strengthen them with affirmations.

Children look to our faces for signs of approval. A smiling face or an enthusiastic nod assures them they're on the right track. When your little one has finished their round in class, give them an excited smile, or a thumbs-up. If they're close enough to hear you, say out loud, What strong kicks, Billy!

Affirmations give them reassurance that they've got things under control. Reinforce this after their lesson by asking them how they achieved the skills displayed. Some helpful things to say include:

That was an awesome back float. Can you tell me how you did?
How did you do those awesome kicks? Can you show me?

By telling someone else what they've learned, they get to own this knowledge and build on their confidence.

Make shampooing stress-free.

For many toddlers and pre-schoolers, getting their hair washed is a huge source of stress and the root cause of their water anxiety.

This is because they are sensitive to getting their heads scrubbed and having water dunked over them. For those getting their head tipped back during a shampoo, the action mimics the sensation of falling backwards. All of these put together can be a sensory-overload.

To put the control back in their little hands, let them shampoo their own hair. Squeeze a small amount of shampoo on their hands and guide them to massage it into their hair.

Let them look into the mirror as they're doing this so they can see themselves being in charge. When it's time to rinse off, give them a dipper of water to pour over their head at a pace they're comfortable with.

If they're watching themselves in the mirror as they do this, the visual will distract them from any discomfort they might feel. The victory here is two-fold for them: I washed my hair myself and it didn't feel bad!

Extend the conversation

If your child swims only during their weekly lesson, it's not something they're going to consider part of their normal routine. Unfamiliarity breeds anxiety, so peppering the week with conversations about swimming will demystify the activity for them.

Watch watch water-themed movies and TV shows during the week to extend the conversation. Finding Nemo, Moana and The Octonauts are great starting points. Ask what they would have done in the show/movie with their swimming skills.

Get them to draw their favourite scenes and bring them to the pool for swimming class. Our friendly receptionist would love to put it up for everyone to enjoy and it will help your child feel at home at the pool.

Top 3 homework activities for basic skill progression between lessons

callum.gracie@ottomedia.com.au (Callum Gracie) — Sun, 03 Dec 2023 23:35:05 GMT

Top 3 homework activities for basic skill progression between lessons

Muscle memory is the most important element for children completing their learn to swim journey. As their body grows at a rapid pace, regular practice is essential. We all know how busy it can get at home, especially raising young children, although we would love for you to come to our free family swim times, sometimes that's just not feasible in the weekly schedule. In this article, we hope to give you some ideas of simple things to practice at home, while doing other things like reading, watching TV or exercising.

Freestyle/Backstroke kick

Lying down on the floor, point your toes and raise each leg one at a time keeping the leg straight and foot pointed this will help to ensure that you are engaging the glute muscles, a common mistake is that the kick starts from the knee instead of the hips. This weakens the kick and decreases buoyancy meaning that the swimmer will not move very far.
Sitting in a chair, at the dinner table or on the couch, lift the legs in front of you and kick them as fast as you can. Again, remember to keep the legs straight and point your toes.
Sitting on the floor, put socks halfway on your feet. Kick your legs as fast as you can trying to get them to fall off. To make this fun, make it a challenge between siblings and see who can get them off the fastest.

Breath control

In the bath at home, practice blowing bubbles for as long as you can, pop up for a breath and go back under. This will help to develop a breathing pattern that will help in freestyle, butterfly, breaststroke and the kick and roll.
For younger children, learning the concept of bubbles, use a straw in a cup of water or the sink and show them the difference between breathing in and breathing out in order to create the bubbles and ensure that they do not drink chlorine once they are back in the pool.
For a fun game, take a small piece of paper and scrunch it into a small ball. Sitting the swimmer and yourself or a sibling across the table from one another, play air soccer, blowing the ball back and forth trying to get it to fall off of the other side of the table for a point.

Rolling

Lying on the floor, with your hands by your side, roll across the room ensuring you are using your head and shoulders to drive the roll over and not the arms or legs.
Standing in the mirror, stand sideways and practice turning your head to look at yourself in the eye in the mirror and then back forward to a flat straight position. (can turn shoulders as well)
Lying on the floor have all swimmers/players on their front or back. Once you say pancake flip, they must race to roll over on to their opposite side. Can play elimination mode but ensure they are rolling over, not using their arms or legs to push.

Basic Freestyle/Backstroke arms

To work on timing, stand in front of the mirror and watch as each arm circle comes up and over and ensure that one hand is up while the other is down, one is back while the other is forward etc. Keep arms straight and fingers together to practice strong swimming hands. // Repeat the same for backstroke arms.
Stand an arms length away from a door or wall, facing it. Start doing arm circles reaching forward and making sure your fingertips reach the wall each time. You can also do this facing away from the wall to practice making sure the arms come up and out of the water when swimming. // Complete arms in the opposite direction for backstroke arms.
To get rid of a cross body pull technique, take two different objects e.g. An apple and an orange and hold one in each hand. Standing up, practice smooth arm circles keeping the orange on the orange side of the body (right) and the apple on the apple side of the body (left). // Complete arms in the opposite direction for backstroke arms. Using heavier items in this activity will also increase their strength, helping to create a more effective underwater pull.

Breaststroke kick

Walk around the room keeping your toes off of the ground and if you can, the balls of your feet, keeping the angle of your ankle at 90 degrees. To make this more challenging balance something on your head while doing so.
Sitting on the front of a chair or the couch, put your legs out straight pointing your toes so your whole foot is touching the ground. Bring your feet towards you, keeping legs together and then sweep them out and around back to the start position. By ensuring their feet stay on the ground throughout the whole motion, you are able to practice turning their feet out for the kick and pointed toes for the glide.
Lying face down on the ground pick your feet up and flex your ankles until you feet create a flat surface. Balance something such as a book on the feet while you watch TV, read a book or draw etc.

Breaststroke arms

Lying down across the bed with your shoulders and head hanging off of the end, reach your arms out straight into a superman position. Start to complete a breaststroke stroke including the out sweep keeping elbows high and hands down until they reach the bed, then the arms should come together before reaching back out to a superman position. This activity will not only help promote a strong underwater pull but ensure that the sweep is not too wide. To develop the stroke further practice breath timing as well by looking up as your arms come outwards, looking back down as they come to the front and glide. By practicing breathing in this position you are also forced to use your neck muscles to reach out to look forward which will help create a smoother movement in the water.
Standing in front of the mirror with your hands out in front, look down at your toes (this will imitate the glide position) before completing a breaststroke arm sweep, looking at yourself in the mirror during the out sweep and back at your toes during the rest.

Butterfly arms

Lying face down on the floor, lift your chest up and practice swinging your arms back and forth around you, make sure the back of your palms are coming forward each time. To make this harder, start stacking books or similar on either side and work to get your arms up and over without touching them by lifting your chest higher.
Measure the distance of your foot + 1 half away from the wall and stand there, facing away from the wall. Start practicing your full butterfly arms in a standing position, focusing on making sure your pinkies are dragging along the wall as you bring your arms back to the top.
To practice a stronger underwater pull, lie down along a bed or the couch with 1 arm and shoulder hanging down the side. Start to complete 1 arm butterfly, keeping the elbow high through the pull phase and arm long, thumb down, pinkie up on the forward swing.

Butterfly kick

Standing up with your feet together, practice a body roll movement starting from your chest, moving all the way down to your feet.
For younger children or beginners, standing up and practicing sticking their hips backwards and forwards in a consistent rhythm will help them start to understand the movement.
Practicing core exercises will also help to directly improve a butterfly stroke. Planking, sit ups, push ups and Russian twists are all great ways to strengthen the core and create a stronger swimmer. In butterfly the core is used to keep the body movement consistent in the kick and to push the chest and arms out of the water.

Regular practice of these activities in between lessons will help to build the muscle memory and strength needed in the relevant muscles to complete a more effective swim once they get back into the water. For further explanation and demonstrations, visit our YouTube channel: Aquatots Swim School Canberra

( https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYAusLEm0KriNxKNDnEAOrg )

Why you should work at Aquatots-

callum.gracie@ottomedia.com.au (Callum Gracie) — Sun, 03 Dec 2023 23:31:52 GMT

Why you should work at Aquatots-

Do you love hanging out with children, talking and working in a team? Are you enthusiastic, passionate and hard working? If so, a job at Aquatots is likely for you!

Aquatots offers many different employment opportunities for all ages. From casual to part time through to full time employment we can find a schedule suitable for you. Consistency, however, is key to being a successful Aquatots employee. Once you commit to a shift, you have committed for a minimum of six months and your work hours remain the same.

While most employees start with us as learn to swim teachers, career development opportunities come in many different shapes and sizes. Swim Australia accreditation courses which are nationally recognised can be undertaken at Aquatots, including; babies and toddlers, learners with a disability, competitive strokes, adults and more. Furthermore, we have receptionist positions, the busiest job in the centre! As well as life guarding, supervising, aqua aerobics instructing and more.

Aquatots is committed to reducing drowning statistics by teaching children survival skills in the water as well as development strokes in a warm and friendly environment. Between July 2018 and June 2019 alone, 276 people drowned in Australian waterways. (RLS, 2019) Join us and become a real-life superhero helping to save lives by reducing this number.

It really is one of the most rewarding jobs in the world. It will ignite your passion and bring you purpose along with a real sense of pride in what you do. Don't just listen to me though, hear it from other current Aquatots employees as well;

Aquatots is unlike any other job you will do; every day is different. It may look like an easy job from someone watching on the side of the pool however it takes lots of different skills to teach this skill for life. It takes lots of patience, imagination, good persuasive skills, eyes and arms that can be everywhere all at once and fun! So was you can see from this list were looking for not just anyone.This job also realise on you being consistent, your swimmer is counting on you to be at their lesson every week as most of them are not good with change so when you commit to taking classes you need to be available to show up as the best you every week.

'I love teaching because your classes come to love seeing you every week, and the best thing about this job is the amazing feeling you will get from seeing one of your swimmers master a skill you have taught them. If you enjoy what you do this shows and the parents of your swimmers will start following you when they move up levels, I have had some of my swimmers from 6 months of age at the start of our Jellyfish classes all the way until they go to school at age 5, you see them grow from a baby to a little person and that's the beauty of swim teaching.'

(Rhiannon, 10+ years with Aquatots)

'If you like kids and want to make a change to someone's life and make a real impact on the drowning statistics of the world then this job is perfect for you. We have an amazing family working atmosphere with an awesome management and instructor team. Seeing kids smiling and being happy brings the most amazing sense of accomplishment and brightens up you day, every day.'

(Declan, 2 years with Aquatots)

I feel so lucky to work in a company where I've been able to build a relationship with co-workers, students and their parents. I consistently get to see improvements each week within my student's confidence, trust, swimming technique and water safety ability, which is a consistent thing to be proud of. We are lucky enough to works with a group of people that feel like a family, everyone takes care of one another and passes on knowledge from all different areas. Aquatots has helped me grow as a person and as a teacher by the surroundings of its environment and I cannot wait to continue my journey with them, learning admin and management skills as well.

(Kayla, 5+ years with Aquatots)

With all that in mind, if you think this job is for you, we can't wait to meet you! Get started as soon as possible by sending in your application through our website: www.aquatots.com.au

4 ways swimming can help your kids with school

callum.gracie@ottomedia.com.au (Callum Gracie) — Sun, 03 Dec 2023 23:29:14 GMT

4 ways swimming can help your children with school

Does your child have a tough time focusing in school and interacting with others? Not to worry as swimming can help your child perform better at school! Here are 4 ways how:

Confidence

It can be intimidating for new swimmers to let go of the wall and take those first few pulls and kicks toward the other side of the pool. In the same way, kids can be apprehensive about school: The tests, going up to the front of the room to talk in front of others, raising hands and giving an answer, working out a new math problem, or writing down big vocabulary words.

With the way our instructors use integrity, compassion and trust to learn to swim, children become confident that they can be successful in doing something new and something they may have been apprehensive about. Once kids find their confidence, the sky's the limit!

Concentration

With classrooms full of 20 or more other children, it's no wonder staying focused can be a bit tricky for kids. There are lots of other things going on to distract them and it can take some time to become used to clearing out the other distractions.

We teach our swimmers how to instinctively tune out what's going on elsewhere and concentrate on what they are supposed to be doing so they can have the best experience possible. They become focused on learning their swim skills and being thrilled about their own accomplishments learning that concentrating really does make a difference.

Following Directions

Sometimes students start swimming lessons when they already "know" how to swim (just as they may already "know" how they're supposed to complete a school assignment). But we teach children the building blocks of swimming skills and put them together with things to do to be safer in and around the water. They follow directions in the pool, producing extraordinary results seeing first hand the positive outcome and practice staying on task.

Taking Turns

At Aquatots, we limit the number of kids allowed in each class. Kids become excited to show off their skills, but learn to wait until it's their turn to take off in the water. The more opportunities they have to learn patience, the easier it is to incorporate into other areas of their life like school.

5 reasons to teach swimming

callum.gracie@ottomedia.com.au (Callum Gracie) — Sun, 03 Dec 2023 23:27:09 GMT

5 Reasons to teach swimming

If you love swimming, becoming a swim instructor might seem natural to you. However, you don't need to be a swimmer to be one! Here are five reasons to come and work for us, at any age:

Teaching kids a life saving skill

If you like kids and being around them, why not make that your job? It's not necessary that you have a teaching background, as you can teach this lifelong, lifesaving skill without that.

Passionate for swimming

Maybe you spent countless summers on the beach or were the star of your high school swimming team. As your passion of swimming grows, why not start a job doing something you love?

Flexibility for students

At Aquatots, we employ several students as well. We understand its difficult to balance and find a job which works with your school schedule. Our swimming classes run throughout the entire day- morning, afternoon, evening, and weekends. This ensures that we have plenty of work opportunities for you to work around school.

Fun work culture

If you like to have a laugh and a little fun before, during, and after your shifts, Aquatots is the place! Our team does everything together to ensure we make our work place inclusive to all. Additionally, we reward hard work and always try to provide the most positive atmosphere.

Retired teachers or athletes

Are you are retired (or about to be) but still want to work? We would love to have you in our team with your skills and experience!

5 reasons to continue swimming through the Winter Swim Season

callum.gracie@ottomedia.com.au (Callum Gracie) — Sun, 03 Dec 2023 23:25:05 GMT

5 Reasons why your children should be swimming during winter swim season

Swimming should only be done in the summer, right? Wrong! At Aquatots, swimming is done all-year long, even through winter. We have a Winter swim season and a Summer swim season. Great Summer swimmers are MADE in Winter.

This article will list the five benefits your kids will achieve by continuing to swim during the winter swim season

1) Staying active

We all know that children have an enormous amount of energy which needs to get burned off. Swimming is the best way to remain active during the winter months and this keeps kids healthy and happy. Moreover, the pools at Aquatots are set at warm temperatures of 32-33 Celsius to ensure your child will have the best experience.

2) Tackling winter boredom

We understand that when the weather becomes colder, it's hard to muster the energy to venture outside, both for parents and kids. Playing with games or arts and craft can also get boring after a while. Take a moment to bring your kids to swimming while becoming more active at the same time.

3) Maintain consistency

It's very important to maintain consistency with swimming lessons. Firstly, consistency helps your child know what to expect and also gives them something to look forward to. Additionally, consistency in swim lessons will help children with their fears of the water and reduce the chances of them not being confident in the water.

4) Water safety

Water safety skills can't be taught and learnt in a single lesson. At Aquatots, we understand the importance of teaching water safety to children and instill these skills from a very young age. By swimming during the winter, children will benefit by also combating fear and anxiety in the water.

5) Repetition for long-term retention

Children need to maintain and reinforce their existing skills to be able to advance and develop further in the water. Don't let months of swimming lessons in the summer go to waste. This is particularly important for younger children, particularly infants, toddlers, and pre-school aged children, as their muscle memory is starting to develop.

5 reasons why swimming

callum.gracie@ottomedia.com.au (Callum Gracie) — Sun, 03 Dec 2023 23:21:29 GMT

5 ways swimming benefits ALL athletes

Not only is swimming a lifesaving skill, but it is also a sport that helps improve the skills and abilities of every athlete who plays in any other sport. There is no other sport that works the whole body like swimming does and here's how:

Strengthens lung capacity

One of the biggest things athletes learn from swimming more than nearly any other sport is breath control. Little by little, swimmers progress and increase their lung capacity which in turn means your young athlete will be able to play longer before running out of breath. Lung capacity benefits athletes because the more exercise you do, the more oxygen your body needs and the increased lung capacity achieved from swimming allows oxygen to pump through the body and provide energy more efficiently.

Increases cardio stamina

The oxygen carried throughout the body gets there by way of the heart pumping it everywhere, so increased cardiovascular stamina remains vital to any athlete. The more efficiently blood can be pumped through your body, the more readily your body can accept it and respond without being pushed over the limit. Sports where players are moving for lengthy periods of time require intense cardiovascular stamina which swimming helps to build up.Â

Builds core stability

Swimming takes into account building every muscle group and, most importantly, building an athlete's core stability. Particularly in sports where posture and balance are an integral part of performance, core stability provides an increased opportunity to perform optimally while also preventing injuries.

Build muscle strength

Although swimming is a low-impact exercise, it steadily makes muscles throughout your entire body stronger. All those strides back and forth to the other side of the pool make a growing child's arms stronger. The leg kicks mean more muscular legs, too. All this leads to extraordinary results in and out of the pool!

Increases total body endurance

Since swimming involves all muscle groups, increases breath control and improves cardiovascular stamina, it brings along total body endurance. As every athlete knows, the more all-around in-shape your body is, the better it can perform and swimming allows athletes to coordinate the entire body.

Why are Humans Drawn to Water?

callum.gracie@ottomedia.com.au (Callum Gracie) — Sun, 03 Dec 2023 23:15:17 GMT

Why are humans drawn to water?

Ever since the universe began, humans and our ancient ancestors before us have needed water to survive, or in some way benefitted from its presence. There are several studies on how humans are attracted to water where we feel a sense of peace when we're around water this is referred to as the blue mind. It's the chance of finally escaping our busy, hyper-connected daily lives and enjoy a moment of solitude.

More recently, a UK project named Blue Gym found that people who live near the coast are generally happier and healthier. They also concluded that people prefer photographs which have more blue spaces in them. Water is also the most omnipresent substance on Earth, along with air, and is the primary element for supporting life as we know it. It covers 70% of Earth's surface and close to 80% of the world's population lives close to water.

We need and use water for cooking, drinking, working, exercise, travel, etc. Our dependency on water is extreme but we are also inspired by it. Water drives so many of our decisions and desires in life from the food we eat to where we live to the times we spend with friends and family. Each individual has their own special relationship and memories with water. Wallace Nicholas, a marine biologist, states that water is where we came from originally and it's where â€œwe naturally flock to recharge, rehydrate, and reconnect.

Skin tips from the pro's

callum.gracie@ottomedia.com.au (Callum Gracie) — Sun, 03 Dec 2023 23:14:02 GMT

Healthy skin,

Working as an aquatic educator means you will need to start taking extra care of your skin. Failing to do so may result in itchy, irritated and unhealthy skin. There are many things you can do to ensure your skin stays healthy while you continue to perform the job that you love.

The best part about working in the environment we do you can claim some of your skin care on your tax return so be sure to keep your receipts.

Some of our top tips from the experts.

Stay hydrated, your skin will thank you when you drink enough water (especially when on shift)
Vitamin C spray (1 tea spoon of vitamin C powder in 500ml water) this not only removes the odour of chlorine but is an important restoration vitamin for your skin cells.
Moisturise straight after you get out of the water with quality cream
Shower with non soap products as soon as possible. Start with lukewarm water to avoid your pores opening up before the residual pool water has been removed.
Re cream after shower and especially before bed
Exfoliate a minimum of twice a week with a scrub or a brush (a cheap and easy scrub can be made of raw sugar and coconut oil) by doing this you are removing all dry and dead skin cells which can sometimes be the cause of an itch
Use an oil once or twice a week (coconut oil is great)
Wash your Rashies, swimmers & shorts frequently & hang in the sun when you can. Usually an itch or skin issues can be bacteria that has bread in your uniform while it dries. The ultimate environment for this to happen is the warm and moist environment created by your uniforms hanging and drying inside.
Understand different products will work for different people. It may take a couple of goes before you find the right products (good quality products usually work the best)

Hair Care

callum.gracie@ottomedia.com.au (Callum Gracie) — Sun, 03 Dec 2023 22:56:34 GMT

Let's talk Hair

I'm not going to lie this is one area I always struggle with. Being a curly haired aquatic educator is not the best of combinations as your hair already starts off dry.

Some of the tips we have come across for hair care and continuing to do what you love in the water

Rinse your hair with cold water before you get into the pool. This will close the pores
Put a leave in conditioner or mask in and wear a swim cap for your shift. If you are not wearing a swim cap ensure you tie your hair up on top of your head.
Use oil regularly (Coconut is great but you can use any oil including olive. Sometimes olive is better for curly hair)
Only wash with conditioner 98% of the time. Avoid using shampoo every wash
Allow your hair to dry naturally
Use a conditioning hair mask 2 or 3 times a week
Check what your products have in them avoid alcohol, silicon, lots of perfume and other fake nasties
Trim regularly
Use vitamin C spray to remove any chlorine residual and remove the smell of chlorine from your hair.

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Positive Language in Baby Swim

callum.gracie@ottomedia.com.au (Callum Gracie) — Sun, 03 Dec 2023 22:50:22 GMT

What you say matters!

Positive language is important for your babies learn to swim journey. When we use positive language and create a positive learning space the brain is open and receptive to taking in and retaining information.

By holding a positive and optimistic word in your mind, you stimulate frontal lobe activity. This area includes specific language centres that connect directly to the motor cortex responsible for moving you into action. And as our research has shown, the longer you concentrate on positive words, the more you begin to affect other areas of the brain.

~Newburg, Waldman

When using positive language try to ensure you are using descriptive words as to what your child is doing right. This will also give their learning a boost by re enforcing the actions and behaviour you want to see from your child in class time. A great example of this would be 'great kicking johnny'

Some important to remember that even though your baby may not be saying much yet they certainly understand a lot of what we say.

When conversing with their instructor try not to talk about what you feel your baby does not like. A common example of this would be 'oh Sally hates back floating' when in fact Sally does not hate back floating Sally is going through a righting reflex stage or is being held in a way that is not comfortable or has been placed on her back quickly or at a time when she was busy doing other things. By using negative language about back floating in front of your baby will also trigger them to think and feel that they do not like back floating because this is what you are telling them.

Back floating is just one and a common example of where it is important to use positive language. For great baby back float tips and information please visit our Back floating Article .

Instead of giving in and relating your babies reaction to negativity, investigate why the behaviour is occurring and what methods we can use for a positive out come. If you are unsure why the behaviour is occurring your instructor can assist. The Aquatots baby swim team is highly qualified and skilled group who come with a wealth of baby swim information.

Positive language will also have the same effect on adults as it does on babies. When we think and talk positively we feel better about the world and ourselves.

Teaching in a positive way

callum.gracie@ottomedia.com.au (Callum Gracie) — Sun, 03 Dec 2023 22:45:02 GMT

Listen to yourself,

When teaching are you using positive language? Did you know that children will learn faster and retain more of what you are teaching them in a positive learning environment. Listening to yourself when you interact with children and the people around you will give you a fair idea of how positive your use of language is.

How to create a positive learning space

When praising a child for doing something right ensure you use descriptive language. Let them know what they are doing well

"I love your long leg kick Julia"

Use a language that lets the child/ren know what you want to see

"When we do our kicking I would like to see long floppy legs"

Using positive language when speaking has an effect on the way we act and feel. Positive vibes create a happy feeling, a happy feeling will release happy hormones into the brain. A happy brain is ready to take in and retain information.

Level 1 specific Homework & Progression

callum.gracie@ottomedia.com.au (Callum Gracie) — Sun, 03 Dec 2023 22:38:54 GMT

LEVEL 1 specific homework & expectations

Sea Horse and Dolphin 1's are learning to rely on their own buoyancy in deep water on their front and back. To graduate from this level, we do require a comfortable front rocket glide (arms in the correct position) and a back glide. The correct head and body position is important because in the next level we will be rolling on a horizontal plane and in the right position for a glide this becomes much easier. Your level 1 will also need to achieve a jump and twist back to the wall, be able to monkey along the wall, climb out, enter the water safely and move through shallow water without assistance.

More than 30 minutes practice per week is required to see a quick progression for the above skills. Please ensure you bump up weekly water time by joining us for FREE swimming during public hours (timetable found on our website www.aquatots.com.au )

If you are unable to make it to the pool for extra water time each week, be sure to follow our dry land specific training for LEVEL 1's

Practice breath control anywhere you can, bubbles in the bath, bubbles in a milk shake, short turns at breath holding (only count to 3), count to 3 then practice tipping water over your head in the bath

Pointing and flexing feet, walking on tippy toes
Rocket arm position. Ensure the arms are behind the ears
Climbing and balancing on everything you can
Planking for core strength
Jumping
Lay on your tummy and practice your freestyle kick to build the required muscles for the following levels
Gripping and hanging for a strong pull through the water

Level 2 specific Homework & Progression

callum.gracie@ottomedia.com.au (Callum Gracie) — Sun, 03 Dec 2023 22:37:41 GMT

LEVEL 2 specific homework & expectations

Sea Horse and Dolphin 2's are learning to propel and use basic breath techniques. Children do not develop the required strength in the glute and lower back for a long leg kick until around the age of 7 years. To speed up this process, we need to work the muscles. This will reflect when you go to the gym, to build your muscles, more than 30 minutes of practice once a week is required. Extra swim time AND dry land exercise will help with speeding up the process of your child's progression in this level.

To graduate from a level 2 your child will need to perform a propulsive swim on their front, roll to their back using correct breath technique and continue the propulsion on their back, assisted treading water, propel using underwater arms, right when swimming in shallow water, duck dive, basic scull, basic dive and swim a distance and gain a breath.

Public swim times are free of charge for swim school families and a timetable found on our website www.aquatots.com.au )

If you are unable to make it to the pool for extra water time each week, be sure to follow our dry land specific training for LEVEL 2's

Spinning in circles or rolling along the ground
Aquatic breathing patterns in the bath or drinks (bubbles, breath in and straight back to bubbles)
Strong hands, hitting balloons, throwing balls, hanging from the monkey bars, squishing things or kneading dough. Talk about strong swimming hands
Planking
Lay on tummy and perform freestyle kicks to build the required muscles
Point and flex the feet to stretch the ligamentsÂ
Start on dryland arm circles to start building the muscles for the level above

Level 3 specific Homework & Progression

callum.gracie@ottomedia.com.au (Callum Gracie) — Sun, 03 Dec 2023 22:36:24 GMT

LEVEL 3 specific homework & expectations

Sea Horse and Dolphin 3's are learning to put basic strokes together. Freestyle and backstroke require complex movements in an environment that is not natural to humans. Level three is going to require more of a weekly commitment than one class to see a fast progression. Both sides of the body will be required to do opposite things at the same time, this takes core strength, co-ordination, and a balanced body in the water. Unfortunately balance in the water is most affected by long period out of the water due to physical growth and a change in the center of buoyancy due to the growth.

To graduate from a level 3 your child will need to demonstrate coordinated arm and leg movements, summersault, tread water, 4 arms freestyle roll to the back using correct breath technique and roll back to front to continue arms, 10-meter swim, basic breaststroke and butterfly, intermediate dive and a jump in to float on the back for the count of three.

If you are unable to make it to the pool for extra water time each week, be sure to follow our dry land specific training for LEVEL 3's

Lay on the floor face down, arms by side, palms up. Lift the arms off the ground to build on the triceps as these will be important to be able to get the arms up and out of the waterÂ
Stand tall and work on your backstroke and freestyle arm movements. Ensure the arms are long and strong and continuously swap places
Lay on the floor on your tummy and perform a freestyle kick
Lay on the floor on your back, lift your head off the ground and perform a backstroke kick
Point and flex your feet
Planking
Jumping, climbing, hanging, spinning, rolling at any time you can
Aquatic breathing patterns in the bath or in a drink with a straw. Blow bubbles, breath in and then go straight back to bubbles

Level 4 specific Homework & Progression

callum.gracie@ottomedia.com.au (Callum Gracie) — Sun, 03 Dec 2023 22:35:04 GMT

LEVEL 4 specific homework & expectations

Sea Horse 4's, Mini's Dolphin 4's and Dolphin 4's are learning the technical side of mainly freestyle and backstroke (unless your child is a natural breaststroker). Children in the Sea Horse or Mini 4 level are advanced for their age and when talking progression for these levels their physical development will sometimes need time to catch up with their swimming progression before we see movement again. It will be important to swim through the flat spots so your child continues to balance easily in the water and when ready to progress again can do this easily and quickly. Again, for our level 4's the movements required are complex and many muscles are required to be used in an environment that is not natural to a human. To graduate from a level 4 your child will need to demonstrate correct freestyle and backstroke technique for the required distance on the skill set, basic tumble turn, intermediate breaststroke and butterfly, a survival sequence as in the skill set, tread water, an intermediate scull and a distance swim (10 meters for Sea Horse & Mini's, 20 meters for Dolphin 4's)

If you are unable to make it to the pool for extra water time each week, be sure to follow our dry land specific training for LEVEL 4's

Lay on the couch or table and work on 1 arm freestyle, turn your head to the side as the hand passes the thigh, face must be back down before the arm makes it to the ear
Jumping, climbing, rolling, spinning, hanging at any chance you get
Work on front kicking laying face down, arms in rocket position with ears in front of arms
Work on back kicking laying on your back, head off ground arms in rocket position with ears in front of arms
Burpees or squat jumps
Point and flex feet
Aquatic breathing in bath or through a straw in a drink, blow bubbles, breath in and straight back to bubbles

CLICK HERE for a great little clip on a dry land work out to assist with building muscles and movements ready to transfer to the pool

Shark specific Homework & Progression

callum.gracie@ottomedia.com.au (Callum Gracie) — Sun, 03 Dec 2023 22:33:47 GMT

SHARK LEVEL specific homework & expectations

SHARKS are our last level of learn to swim. When your child graduates this level they have made it to a level of swimming where they will be able to save themselves in most situations. To graduate children will need to demonstrate a backwards summersault, stride entry, 200 meter swim using survival strokes, answer survival questions, use a PFD, tread water, clothed swim sequence, intermediate tumble turn, 40 meter freestyle, 40 meter backstroke, technical breaststroke for 10 meters

MINI SHARKS distances will change as per the skill set, Mini Sharks is not a finishing level as these children are too young for the skills to be in their muscle memory due to neural pruning

If you are unable to make it to the pool for extra water time each week, be sure to follow our dry land specific training for SHARKS & MINI SHARKS

Lay on tummy in rocket position and lift the feet off the ground, start arms stroke and lift the head, breath in and ensure the head is down again before the arms get back to a rocket position
Walk around the house like a duck
Burpees
Practice frog kick while laying on your tummy on the floor
Squat, knees out, push back up to standing
Walk around the house working on the timing of the arms and breath (glide 1,2, arms, breath glide 1,2)
Lay face down arms in front, lift the upper body off the ground, pull arms down and try and make the shoulder blades touch, return arms to the starting point, relax then start again. This will build the required muscles in the back for breaststroke and butterfly

CLICK HERE for a great Breaststroke specific work out you can do at home with your child

Squad Prep specific Homework & Progression

callum.gracie@ottomedia.com.au (Callum Gracie) — Sun, 03 Dec 2023 22:32:18 GMT

SQUAD PREP LEVEL specific homework & expectations

SQUAD PREP is the level where children will prepare for squad level swimming. The will learn to swim as a squad swimmer, perfect their butterfly and build on their swimming stamina ready for laps.

To graduate from Squad Prep your child will need to demonstrate correct butterfly technique for 10 meters, swim 60 meters Freestyle and Backstroke holding technique, 40 meters Breaststroke holding technique, advanced tumble turn, advanced dive, 300 meter distance swim.

If you are unable to make it to the pool for extra water time each week, be sure to follow our dry land specific training for SQUAD PREP

Lay on your tummy on the floor arms by your side, palms up, lift upper body off the ground, lift arms up bring arms around to a rocket position
Practice the worm (dance move)
Lay on floor arms by side, hold semi filled water bottles in hands and lift the water bottles off the ground and back down
Bend at the hips, hold semi filled water bottles in hands then lift your arms up and out to the side, try to kiss the shoulder blades together at the top of the lift
Practice butterfly arm movements while standing, hands brush thighs, engage triceps and shoulder blade and bring straight arms up and over with the biceps ending next to the

CLICK HERE for a great butterfly specific work out to do at home with your child

Aquatots Baby Bath Tips

callum.gracie@ottomedia.com.au (Callum Gracie) — Sun, 03 Dec 2023 22:29:35 GMT

For 9 months babies are surrounded by amniotic fluid in the womb where they float around all day. Your babies aquatic journey commences as soon as they are conceived. Once your bundle of joy is born their aquatic journey will continue with every bath and water experience, they have. The earlier you can re-introduce your baby to a warm watery environment the more of an affinity to that environment they will have from their experience in the womb. For the most part your baby will find a warm watery environment extremely calming, the hydrostatic pressure, weightlessness, and the muffled sounds underwater will take them back and tends to relax their mind and body.

A baby's bath time can be a great place to expose your little one to more water time each week and to practice what we have been learning in class.

When bathing your baby

Be prepared, collect everything you will need for before, during and after bath time so it is in the room with you before you start

Turn off your phone or put it on silent, enjoy this special time with your baby

Use a big bath when possible

Always keep an eye on your baby when they are in or around the water

Test the water temp before you place your baby in the water

Take your time, allow your baby to enjoy the experience from start to finish

We recommend you mix is up with different depths when bathing your baby

A shallow bath will allow you to place your baby on their back on the bottom of the bathtub. Watch their little arms and legs go crazy as they enjoy the splashing and freedom to wiggle. Place them at the end of the bath with their little feet against the side of the bath and watch them push and slide, this is a great way to encourage leg strength and is great exercise for your baby.

With mid filled or deep bath will allow you to gently support your baby on their front or their back from the side so that they can be suspended in the water. This method will make it a little harder to wash them as you will only have one hand free.

There is also the option to get in the deep bath with your baby and practice the holds we teach in class. Being in the water with them will make it easier to hold them and wash them as you will be able to cradle them a little easier than from the side.

Less is more-No need for fancy bath toys, your baby will enjoy the water and your company more than anything you can buy.

Having a bath is an anytime thing, no need to only bath your baby when they need a wash, do it for fun, do it to calm them down, do it to cool down on a hot day or warm up on a cold one. The more exposure your baby has to water the better.

Always practice conditioning for breath holding

1,2,3 under is the cue we use in class. Once your baby hears these words and closes their eyes on the cue, they will be ready for submerging. During bath time cup a bit of water in your hand, squeeze a washcloth over their forehead or tip a bit of water from a cup after saying the cue words, eventually your baby will start to predict what is coming after the cue words.

To find out more on submerging check out our submerging the safe way article

Ankle Flexibility, Mobility and Strength

callum.gracie@ottomedia.com.au (Callum Gracie) — Sun, 03 Dec 2023 22:20:34 GMT

Ankle flexibility, strength and mobility will have an impact on your child's swim progression. Your child's instructor will need your help in-between classes to ensure a quicker progression.

Can your child move their feet freely in different directions? If not, this is something we need to address to assist with their swimming progression.

Below are some swim specific ankle exercises we would like the children to practice at home in between their lesson time

1. Walk on tippy toes.

2. Walk on your heels

3. Point and flex feet.

4. Duck walk in a low squat

5. Squat jumps ensuring you get low in the squat, touch the ground with your hand in between each jump

6. Inch worms

7. DrawI love swimming with your toes in the air

8. Jump rope

9. Balance on one leg (to advance this try catching and throwing a ball) be sure to switch legs

10. Perform a low squat in a narrow stance foot in neutral position, perform a low squat in a wide stance feet turned out

Fun swim fact-the way your child feet naturally point can tell us the strokes they will find easy and the ones they may struggle with. Assisting your child with ankle flexibility, mobility and strength will help lead to a well-rounded swimmer and a faster progression.

Private vs Group Classes

callum.gracie@ottomedia.com.au (Callum Gracie) — Sun, 03 Dec 2023 22:14:11 GMT

One of the more common questions we come across is do you provide private classes These days there is a misconception around the belief that children will learn to swim faster in a one on one environment. Whichever way you do decide to go with your child's learn to swim it is important that you seek a qualified instructor and an environment that you and your child feel comfortable in. This article we hope will provide a bit of insight into private and group classes for learn to swim.

Private classes are great if your child has special needs and requires a different type of learning journey to other children or is unable to join a group for safety reasons. The private class in this case keeps the child, other children and the instructor safe for the duration of the class and allows the instructor to change the learning path and speed for the child when needed.

On the other side private class structure for nervous or a child who is an introvert can sometimes exacerbate feelings of nervousness or being uncomfortable as complete focus is on them all of the time. They are also unable to see others try so the journey to becoming comfortable in the water can take a little longer.

Children in private classes do not need to learn to wait their turn. Learning to wait around an aquatic environment is an important safety skill as this teaches children to know when it is ok to jump in or start swimming.

The waiting period for your child in a small group class should not be long but does give your child a chance to regroup and rest before they are expected to give it another go. Continuation of skills and muscle use over and over again in short periods can lead to muscle and mental fatigue given less than productive results.

Depending on the instructor for your child's private class self-directed learning can sometimes come into play. If there are no peers to keep up with then sometimes the child is not pushed to gain skills a fast as they could.

When placing your child in a group class you should consider

How many children in the class? Small groups are best
Is the class age and swim ability appropriate for your child?
Is the class moving for the duration of lesson time? Group classes should flow with minimal rest time for the children within the allotted time to ensure maximum swimming
Do the instructors correct technique and give feedback to swimmers all of the time? Children should be corrected and given feedback each time they have a turn

Small group classes are great because children are very visual learners and this allows them to see other attempt what is required of them. For some children this will become important as seeing other children give it a go can give them the courage to try. It is really hard for a child to comprehend its ok when a grown up is telling them that it is, it is a much quicker learning path if they see other children attempt the given task. Also a visual from other students attempting the drill or doing the drill correctly can help their peers get it right.

In a group situation children are allowed to make friends and celebrate their achievements together. Receiving praise is always great but getting it in front of your peers or in a group situation is the best feeling in the world, the confidence boost that children gain from this is amazing.

They learn to share and converse with others and how to work as a team and in a group. Most of the time the children are in the class with the same children for months at a time so they get to make new friends and parents also have the chance to bond with other parents with children around the same age. I have seen many swim friend relationships blossom over the years.

Children in small group classes also learn to wait their turn. This is an important part of water safety, waiting and knowing when it is safe to swim. Children in small group classes are taught when to jump in or start swimming on cue.

To gain a fast progression for your child's learn to swim it does not matter if your child learns in a small group or a private situation the secret to a quick progression is MORE water time. 30 minutes a week is great, but the more you allow your child to practice the quicker this progression will be. To speed up a child's swim progression add more water time or extra lessons to their week!

Private or group classes either way if your child is learning to swim you are on a parenting win.

Swimming with an almost 2 year old

callum.gracie@ottomedia.com.au (Callum Gracie) — Sun, 03 Dec 2023 22:13:47 GMT

18mth-2years +

Living with a 2 year old can be challenging enough let alone trying to get them to do what you want when you want them too in the allocated 30 minute time-slot that is their swim lesson. Teaching swimming since 1998 has allowed me to study the characteristics of the different age groups, their progression in swimming and how their physical and mental development can play a part in this. One of these changes occurs around the age of 2. Your child will become difficult to handle and sometimes seem like they are not being compliant or even willing to participate.

When the change will occur?

One of the major changes in your child's development both in swimming and in life will occur around the age of 2 years. Although if your child has started swimming under the age of 6 months this development stage may occur around 18 months. Babies that begin their aquatic activities at an early age are usually ahead in mental and physical development. We call this the sneak attack and it can catch parents off guard.

Understanding What To Look For

When swimming with your 2 or almost 2 year old it is very important that you understand the mental development your child is going through at this stage. Around this age your babies brain is developing so quickly their emotions and bodies have trouble keeping up. Children around this age will start to develop a sense of consequence; they are now starting to understand there is a reaction for every action. Before this age the understanding of a reaction is usually not present and they are quiet happy to jump off things and try activities that can seem daring or crazy (seem to have no fear). Children are only born with 2 fears, the fear of falling and a fear of loud noises all other fears are learnt and usually come into play around the age of 2. Sometimes your child will show their fear by saying or acting like they do not like their swimming.

If your child has hit this stage in their lesson you will notice that they are less willing to try things that may cause harm or they do not have full control over. This is mainly evident when your child goes to jump in from the wall, where they used to do this quiet easily and without prompting they now hesitate and ask for help or even stop, sit to slide in. Another example would be using equipment that makes your child feel unsteady (floatation devises or standing on mats). They may start to refuse to participate or say that they want to do something else other than what is being asked. You will know your child has hit this stage when they start to ask for your help doing activities they used to do easily by themselves. Asking for help does not have to be verbal you will be able to tell by their body language and their facial expressions. Sometimes just a light touch or holding of one finger for a while may be all they need. Talk them through what you are going to do to help them and then ensure you do as you say you will for a quick progression back to comfort.

Tips on how to deal with the stage

During this stage it is extremely important that you do not mistake this behaviour for being naughty defiant. You must always support and never force. To support your child through this phase and ensure they get over it quickly take a few steps back for a couple of weeks. Make the jumps smaller or allow them to sit for a bit to regain their confidence and then move back to standing. During this stage children can also act as if they do not like their swimming any more. Remember that children will cut of their nose to spite their face to push the limits or they may just be frightened and this is the way they are showing you or trying to communicate this to you. Use toys to distract from their brain working over time thinking of what may happen. If they want to get to a toy they will usually give it a go to get there or get the reward.

It is also vital to do what you say you must never ever trick your child into doing something when they are in this stage of development; this can cause a break in trust and will make the phase last for a lot longer. Give your child time to regain the confidence in their own ability and you will find their progression will start to take off once again.

Children this age learn through play so allow them to explore their surroundings and try things on their own. Be there for support but ensure you do not do these things for them if they feel they can achieve it on their own. Try not to argue with your child, remember your lesson is only 30 minutes and it is extremely hard to win a power struggle in that time. Instead compromise â€œif you do this we can do this the 2nd this is usually something they want to do). There is never any issue with using the toys and props to encourage your child to participate and do what you want when you want them to.

For your child's swimming progression it will be extremely important that you help them through this stage as this is also the age when the brain starts to cull pathways that are not being used or practiced.

Surprisingly, the brain of a 2-year-old has trillions of connections double the number that an adult has! The brain grows connections in response to all kinds of input in order to be adaptable and survive. Over time, certain connections are used again and again while others fall by the wayside.

This normal process, called neural pruning , explains why it's easiest for a child to learn the precise accent of a language while very young. If the brain isn't exposed to that language regularly, certain synapses wither away and the brain is no longer able to hear or form certain sounds as easily. Stopping at this stage causes the vital swimming skills they have mastered to regress and upon return they will be back to square one.

Neural pruning also explains why routine and repetition are so important to a young child. They facilitate learning and help the brain understand what's important. So to avoid the pathways for swimming, movement and comfort in the water to be 'pruned' continuation of practice is required even though they have hit a minor bump in the road. You will find if you just pull back but continue to relax and have fun in the water your little cherub will be back to the level they where before they hit this stage in no time.

Hopefully this article will help you understand this is a normal stage that all children will go through. For personal tips on how to guide your little one through please feel free to ask your friendly instructor or supervisor on deck.

Babies under 6 months can swim!

callum.gracie@ottomedia.com.au (Callum Gracie) — Fri, 01 Dec 2023 03:32:30 GMT

Babies are born with an affinity to a warm watery environment. They were surrounded by amniotic fluid for 9 months in the womb so this environment is natural to them. The earlier you can return your baby to a warm watery environment the more comfortable they will be and the sooner we can encourage a progression on the ability to swim that they are born with. It is very unusual to find a baby under the age of 6 months that does not like warm water and the feeling of floating.

Babies are also born with many reflexes that allow them to swim without being taught. Unfortunately, many of these reflexes will disappear very early in life, which is why it is important to start early so that they are available to use.

Did you know?

Infants can hold their breath. When you tip your baby forward so their head is lower than their hips (dive position) they will hold their breath. This is called the dive reflex and can be used for submerging infants (please do not attempt without a qualified instructor) The dive reflex will diminish around the age of 4 months.

Infants can move in the water. When you place your baby on their tummy in the water they have a reflex called the amphibian reflex, this reflex will make their legs and sometimes their arms move. We can use the reflex to promote co-ordination, muscle development and to get the babies to kick on cue. The amphibian reflex will diminish around the age of 4 months

Babies can grip and hold on. Babies are born with a reflex called the palmer grasp reflex. When you press in the palm of your babies hand they will grip on very tightly. We can use this reflex to promote a strong grip for swimming, grabbing and holding on which are all life saving skills. The palmer grasp reflex will diminish around the age of 3 months

Infants can walk. Babies are born with a stepping reflex. We can use this reflex to promote muscle development, movement and co-ordination. The stepping reflex will diminish around the age of 5 months

Babies under 6 months float really well. Not only do they have a high fat content in their body to help them float but they have been surrounded by amniotic fluid for 9 months in the womb. This makes the feeling of water in their ears quiet natural and they will be happy to relax on their backs for the float. Under the age of 6 months (or before the righting reflex kicks in) you will only need to support your baby lightly with your finger tips if at all when performing a back float .

The submerging reflex will disappear around the age of 3 years. Your baby has a reflex that we can use for submerging by adding a cue. When your baby closes their eyes their throat will close as well. A baby that has been conditioned to close their eyes on cue can submerge and not take in any water. This reflex will diminish around the age of 3 years. Having your child start after the age of three they will need to be taught breath control, by starting under the age of 3 years we can use this reflex instead of having to teach them to hold their breath. (for how to submerge your baby correctly please see article on our website)

Many parents ask when is the best age to start my baby swimming. The answer is as early as possible. Ensure you have all of the reflexes available to your baby to promote early physical, mental and swimming development.

The earlier you start your babies swimming journey the earlier they will learn to swim and be safer in and around water. A baby that starts lessons under the age of 6 months and attends consistantly can usually swim around the age of 18 months or sometimes even earlier. The benifits of an early introduction into an aquatic environment do not stop at just water safety, studies have shown that there are many physical and mental developmental advantages as well. This research can be viewed as part of the Giffith study https://app.secure.griffith.edu.au/news/2012/11/15/swimming-kids-are-smarter/

Give your baby a head start in life! Aquatots is helping to create healthier, happier, stronger and safer babies.

Aquatots Sea Dragons

callum.gracie@ottomedia.com.au (Callum Gracie) — Fri, 01 Dec 2023 02:04:53 GMT

At Aquatots we recommend children continue their learn to swim progression until they are squad level swimming. This will mean that your child can save themselves in most situations in an aquatic environment and they are strong confident swimmers. By spending the many years getting to this level of swimming their muscle memory has used the movements enough and is able to retain the information. You will find if your child does finish their swimming at this level their ability to swim well will retain but their swimming stamina will start to regress.

Children starting under the age of 1 year in the Aquatots program with consistent attendance are ready for squad level swimming by around the age of 6 or 7 years (this is very young for squad level swimming). As with all things children will develop differently and some will be ready later and some will be ready earlier.

If your child has completed their learn to swim with Aquatots they are welcome to join our swim squads. Squads are run outside of lesson times until we gain a training pool. The team trains for 1 hour and we ask if children can please wear regular swim wear to their training sessions (no rash shirts or board shorts)

Children moving into squad level swimming will need to adjust and build their stamina. Technique is always touched on as children with good technique swim fast! The best thing about training in a 20-meter pool is the coach can ALWAYS correct which does not happen in a 50-meter pool.

Transition Squads are for children 5-7years of age, Development Squads are for children fresh out of learn to swim that need to build their stamina and technique retention over distance, Comp Squad is for children who can hold correct technique for a 400 IM using correct turns and starts. Senior Squads are for children over the age of 12 years of age. All squads are set up to help children with racing technique and fitness.

The Aquatots Sea Dragons are kids that are part of our competing squad. If your child would like to give competitive swimming a go they are welcome to join in the development meets we attend outside of Aquatots. All children can attend a maximum of 3 development meets before they must join the Aquatots Sea Dragons to continue racing as part of the club (this is a requirement from swimming ACT) To join the Aquatots Sea Dragons please see our front desk team to gain more information.

If your child does not want to continue into the squad program don't get disheartened. You have done the best thing by your child getting them to a squad level swimming. Parenting win for safer swimmers!!

The benefits of baby swimming

callum.gracie@ottomedia.com.au (Callum Gracie) — Fri, 01 Dec 2023 02:02:30 GMT

The benefits of baby swim classes go well beyond teaching your baby a skill that may one day save their life.

Baby swim classes will build on your babies language skills. By using repetitive words and rhythm your baby will pick up on the words very quickly.

During a swim class your baby will also be working on their emotional and social development. They will be watching others for reactions and attempting to react to these appropriately. A happy and enthusiastic instructor, parent or guardian will usually mean a happy baby in class. Praise during class for doing a great job will release dopamine into your babies brain giving them allowing them to develop a sense of achievement and moving forward with healthy brain development.

Babies will learn to follow instructions. With a structured activities for the babies to participate in and an instructor to follow your baby develops and early understanding of how to follow simple instructions.

The development of early movement and co-ordination is commonly seen in children that attend swim classes. By being allowed to move freely and encouraging your baby to make movement you are promoting brain connections. A babies brain requires movement to develop the connections that make the movements automatic and strong, in a swim class your baby is making many voluntary and involuntary movements. Babies will need to use both sides of the body doing opposite things at the same time. This transfers into building their co-ordination.

Bonding time is so present in swim classes between baby and parent or guardian. In the water we do not have the distractions of technology and your baby will get 100% of your attention. By having parents participate swim classes are a great way to help parents with their mental health. The class is a regular outing with a healthy activity that you and your baby can participate in. You will be in a class with parents and guardians going through a similar stage in life.

Swimming is the only sport that gives an all over body work out which includes internal organs, muscles and brain. Sport releases endorphins making your baby feel happier. The exercise will also promote better sleep, a stronger body and mind. Having your child swim regularly will also help develop a strong immune system.Â Healthy strong organs help ward off the nasty bugs or at the least help your baby beat the bugs off quicker.

Teaching your baby to swim form an early age will also mean that your baby will be safer in and around water (this should in no way release constant active supervision). Having a child that is comfortable in and around water opens up so many doors for families with an Australian life style.

Swimming lessons are creating Healthier, Stronger and Safer babies.

The Swimming Brain

callum.gracie@ottomedia.com.au (Callum Gracie) — Mon, 27 Nov 2023 01:45:12 GMT

The first few years of life are crucial to your baby's development. In the first 2000 days of life your babies brain will grow to function at 90% of capacity. We are all born with the connections ready to go, it is our experiences during this time that will shape how we develop and grow.

At the age of 2 your baby's brain has already tripled in size and has over 100 trillion synapses. The way these synapses in the brain connect is by doing and the experience that your baby is exposed to.

An early introduction into an aquatic environment encourages movement, bonding and a sensory sensation which helps your babies brain development. By making the movements in the water, the brain is making those connections and storing the movement memories.

Once you begin your child's aquatic journey it is important to understand that all of those wonderful connections that you make at such an early age are in jeopardy. Many of the synapses created in the brain during the first years of life are made up of things that your baby will not need later so neural pruning commences. Neural pruning is where the brain starts to cull the connections that are no longer required to function from day to day. Connections that were made with movements that are no longer practiced are pruned to make way for other required connections. Stopping your child's swimming at this stage will mean the brain will start to cull the connections related to swimming.

Continuing your child's learn to swim journey to the point that their neural pruning starts to slow will be important for your child to retain the skills required to swim for a life time. It is important for your child's swimming development that the movements required are practiced until this neural pruning slows down, by doing this you will be engraining a skill for life.

Neural pruning will slow as per the growth chart below

Having your child start their learn to swim journey during the rapid period of brain growth means that the movements required for swimming will come easier and faster. Once your child's synapses have made the foundation of their development without these movements or knowledge, learning to swim later in life will be a little harder. Once a child stops their swim progression the brain will cull the unused connections meaning upon return they will need to start again. A child that stops progression during the rapid growth period (2-5 years of age) will recommence as a beginner swimmer so it is worth while having this period as continued learning period.

The Swimming Threenager

callum.gracie@ottomedia.com.au (Callum Gracie) — Mon, 27 Nov 2023 01:41:33 GMT

People talk about the terrible twos some kids hit this stage hard as their brain development is moving so fast that their body, mind and ability to communicate all of these new feelings has trouble keeping up. If you are dreading the terrible twos we have a story for you.

You have not seen anything yet until you have met a threenager. Threenagers are aware of themselves, they now understand they are a complete separate person to their parents and are starting to gain a sense of self. With this sense of self comes a need to push the limits and make their own rules and see how many times they can be the ruler of all worlds even if some of the rules mean that they miss out on the things they actually love to do.

As with any stage, some children will hit it hard and others not so much. So what does this stage mean for your child's learn to swim? As with any developmental leap a couple of steps back before we move forward again is always the key, especially at this stage. Trying to battle with a three year old once they have decided to dig their heels in rarely ends in a win before the conclusion of their 30 minute swim lesson.

Knowing why your child is digging their heels in will help the situation and allows you and your little one to work through the problem together. Ask yourself:

Are they afraid of a new situation? (children can sometimes show that they are afraid by being defiant or stubborn)
Have they had a bad start to the class? (this could include falling over outside, not having enough sleep or a previous power struggle during the day)
Is there a lot of change going on in their life at the moment? (new house, new sibling, new school/care facility)

Understanding that your child around the age of three will be moving from a parent/guardian assisted class into an independent class is a huge change, especially if they have spent the last 3 years in a parent/guardian assisted class. This assisted class is all they have known and now you are expecting them to go into the water without you. Most of the time, the change of class will also mean a change of instructor and their new instructor will be a stranger for a few lessons before they warm up.

Aquatots has come up with few tips to help parents with these wonderful little humans that will one day rule the world. Unlike two year olds, these three year olds are smart. They are not so easily distracted by toys and things however, they still love to play and have fun. Find an instructor that is fun, relaxed and animated and you will find your child cannot help wanting to participate. If they do decide to assert their authority you can:

Get down on their level, try to avoid standing when talking or telling them what you want them to do, look them in the eyes when they are trying to explain or communicate. If you can find out what the problem is sometimes its an easy fix (may need to go to the toilet, wants the red cap not the blue cap, dinosaur toys are not out today etc)
Use your highly superior emotional intelligence and try not to get flustered or short (they can smell your fear)
Be prepared, especially if your child has just moved up be ready to get in with them even if it is just standing in the water for moral support
Be present and positive, your child will be reading you (they are experts in this field) if you are relaxed, calm and encouraging they will take their cues from you
Try to turn up to class with plenty of time to be organized so that your child does not feel rushed or pushed into an uncomfortable situation
Try not to give in. If they are having an off day and are really pushing the boundaries it is important that you sit and watch the class with them. The supervisor can provide a pool side chair for you and your child can sit on the edge of the pool close to the class. Usually this method will have them in as they get bored and want to participate or play
Find an instructor they will gel with. Sometimes this may make all the difference :-)

The most important thing to remember is they are only little. Your mini dictator is just trying to learn their place in the world. Their brains are developing at a rapid rate and sometimes all of this stimulation and input becomes overwhelming. Work with them and help guide them through this wonderful stage which too, shall pass.

If you have any questions in regards to your threenager and their swimming please feel free to contact our experts enquiries@aquatots.com.au

Water Wellness Program

callum.gracie@ottomedia.com.au (Callum Gracie) — Mon, 27 Nov 2023 01:38:24 GMT

A Parents Group With a Difference

We understand the physical and mental challenges that come with parenthood. That's why we are excited to partner with Spots Care Canberra and F45 Ngunnawal and offer a Water Wellness program. This program harnesses the incredible healing properties of water and encouarges new parents to connect with the local community and return to physical activity in a safe manner.

The program will provide-

Early aquatic sessions for babies that promote healthy sleep, physical and mental development
An opportunity to meet other new parents in a supportive environment
Insights from Canberra's top physiotherapists on regaining strength after child birth, reasserting exercise, and addressing common injuries associated with carrying and birthing babies
A chance to focus on your mental health through exercise and informative sessions
The program will run for 4 weeks
Free for participants (an Aquatots aqua nappy will need to be purchased for pool sessions $32)
Babies 6 weeks-4 months (inclusive)
An exercise session with F45 in Ngunnawal (for north side sessions)