Chopsy Baby is Reviewing: Puddle Ducks
Puddle Ducks baby and toddler swimming sessions are led by trained instructors teaching little ones how to swim and be safe in the water – of course whilst having lots of fun.
In baby classes, infants enjoy freedom of movement and relaxation in the water. In the toddler lessons, children are able to gain confidence and learn water safety skills.
There are different styles of classes for varying ages and abilities right up to a swimming academy.
Impressively, Puddle Ducks are proud to say that most of the children regularly attending their classes are able to swim at least 10 meters unaided by the time they start school. But, best of all, those taking part develop a love of swimming they take through life.
Chopsy Baby reporter Debbie, is a firm advocate of Puddle Ducks, shouting from the rooftops about how enjoyable she finds taking her ten month old baby boy. She tells us all about it.
I have been taking my baby to Puddle Ducks since he was a few weeks old. I was first introduced to the classes when Sarah – who runs the Bristol franchise – came and did a talk to new mums about the joys of taking your baby swimming.
Although she was promoting Puddle Ducks she was so enthusiastic about the benefits it offered babies. She also gave us great tips about taking babies swimming ourselves, including how to check the pool is the right temperature, safe ways of getting into the pool with the baby and the best nappies for the baby to wear.
Chatting to other mums who had joined to programme, I was quickly swayed into trying them myself as everyone raved about them.
“My newborn was floating with by the end of the first lesson,” a mother who attended Sarah’s session told me. “It was so relaxing. I thought I would worry about him going under the water but I quickly forgot my fears and had fun.”
This is when I decided I would join too. I had worried about my baby being in the water, but in actual fact, I would be doing us both a favour by having some special time together whilst he learned how to respect water.
When I first started the classes my little boy was just a few weeks old. We began in the Floaties class. These sessions are designed to get babies used to being in the water. They take a gentle pace with simple singing and movement.
When it comes to the underwater Nirvana Nevermind moment, Puddle Ducks instructors make sure parents are taught how to do this correctly.
Young babies have a gag reflex which allows them to be submerged under water. Parents and babies learn a vocal signal so the child understands they are going under the water.
It is incredible to watch babies kicking their legs and being propelled under water by the swimming instructor. The babies learn the signals quickly through repetition each week, shutting their eyes when they are submerged or jump into the pool.
Puddle Ducks don’t use arm bands as these get in the way of movement. Parents learn to let their babies and children have as much independence in the water as possible.
A favourite moment for me came in the session when we were swimming alongside our floating babies. They simply floated alongside with their heads resting in our hand.
Over the progressing sessions, the babies naturally move up to the Splashers class. This class is more energetic, teaching the babies to splash, kick, and jump in safety.
There are also some vital safety manoeuvres taught at this stage, such as how to turn in the water.
Each lesson is well structured introducing new skills and polishing already learned techniques.
I have found that since going to Puddle Ducks with my second child I am much more confident in the water with him. This makes bath times fun and eases the burden of taking both of my children swimming together.
I really enjoy my Puddle Ducks sessions and I can see my son does too. It is both an investment and a highly enjoyable time having fun with my baby.
www.puddleducks.com/franchisees/4
* Editor’s Note: Have spent an hour Googling swimming lessons for four-year-olds in Bristol since publishing this article!