All the Babies in the Pool… Go Splash, Splash, Splash
Did you know…
Swim Lessons Expands Cerebral Communication:
Fascinating new research reports that a baby’s brain develops through bilateral cross patterning movements like swimming, crawling and walking. The more cross patterning movements, the more nerve fibers develop in the corpus callosum in the brain. The corpus callosum facilitates communication, feedback and modulation from one side of the brain to the other. Cross patterning movements like swimming activate both cerebral hemispheres and all 4 lobes of the brain simultaneously, which can result in heightened cognition and increase ease of learning. Good communication in the cerebral hemispheres leads to overall efficiency in brain processes, while poor interaction slows down language development and academic learning.
Also…
Babies, especially those younger than 6 months of age, have a natural affinity with water-they are ripe and comfortable automatically.
A baby’s mammalian dive reflex is generally at its strongest before six months of age; therefore babies can hold their breath under water without even thinking about it.
Early exposure is a great foundation for children to develop a healthy relationship with the water. Around 3 months of age is a great time to start!
Babies will experience tactile stimulation from water resistance over their entire body. Water has over 600 times the resistance of air which is great for their muscles and encourages neurological development.
