Category: Swimming

1. Giraffes can't dance .... or swim!

   Posted on 6:03am Wednesday 8th Oct 2014

   This week we read a new book.

   

   Giraffe's can't dance by Giles Andreae (who incidentally also wrote Purple Ronnie) and illustrated by Guy Parker-Rees is a fabulous rhyming tale of Gerald the giraffe, who would sorely love to join in with the other animals at the Jungle Dance, but everyone knows that giraffes can't dance . . . or can they?

   Poor Gerald the giraffe feels very clumsy until he meets a friendly cricket, who teaches him that we may all be different but "Sometimes all we need is a different song to dance to". This is a lovely story that celebrates the richness of differences and the possibilities created by a more personal approach. It also has something valuable to say about the impact of our own expectations of ourselves and others.

   Giraffes have featured heavily in our activities in the last week, as we have also had Jeffery the Giraffe from nursery to entertain. Now I am acutely aware that he is a stuffed animal and he has no clue that he needs entertaining but there is an expectation to complete a diary of his adventures over the week that he is with us. So reading a book about giraffes was fun .... as was taking Jeffery swimming!

   Knowing what works at swimming, is as much as knowing what song to dance to. There is little point forcing the little one to attempt things that she is not ready for but to encourage her to develop the skills she is showing naturally.

   Her confidence, like Gerald's in the book, is really starting to grow and thanks to our amazing Water Babies teachers, she really can swim.

   

   Unlike Jeffery .... no amount of swimming lessons are going to help him.

   I just hope that the little one learns the most important lesson, in that even though we may all be different, we all are able to achieve our dreams when we find the 'music that we love!' 
   

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2. When does the transition happen from baby swimming to just swimming?

   Posted on 9:43am Wednesday 30th Jul 2014

   We finished our swiming lessons for the summer holidays last week and we were suitably subdued that we would be missing our Water Babies adventures over the summer but even more so that our swimming teacher was moving on to pastures new. There are some of our Water Babies friends that are not continuing their lessons next term due to circumstances, which meant that there were more goodbyes to be said before the end of term.

    

   It got me thinking about the transition from Water Babies as some of our group are now obviously gaining exceptional water skills, not purely life saving and enjoyment but the ability to swim freely. So when does the transition happen from baby swimming to "just swimming".

    

   I can't imagine putting my youngest into traditional swimming lessons at the present time, in fact I think it would be counter productive to her confidence and development and in talking to Water Babies, they tell me that the transition period is usually around the age of 4 (so we definitely have some time!).

    

   There are lots of things to consider and prepare for in the transition to main stream lessons, even at ages 4 and above, such as; 

    

   • Before hand, take your child to the pool and ensure they can get in and out of the pool on their own
   • Explain to them that you will not be in the pool with them but you will be near by
   • Visit the venue before hand and show child where they will be swimming and where you will be sitting – it may mean you cannot see them swim
   • Help them pack their own swim bag (so they also know everything they need to bring home with them too!)
   • Explain to them that they should wait for you at a set point for collection after their lesson and not go with any one they do not know
   • Buy a swim hat – it is likely they will have to wear one so you might as well try it on before hand (my eldest was not a fan of this when she started her lessons but she just snaps it on her own head now).

    

   I never forget the tears and trantrums that we had with my eldest when she started traditional swimming lessons, so I know that it is important to make the transition from Water Babies to main stream lessons a smooth one. Thankfully it is not something I need to think about for another 12 months or so ...... or maybe it is me that is not ready to make the transition and accept that my water baby is growing up.

    

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3. Expressions : You never get a 2nd chance to make a first impression

   Posted on 10:24pm Sunday 22nd Jun 2014

   My mum always says that "you never get a second chance to make a first impression" and I have always been mindful of that. Whether I need to be confident (when I am almost definitely not) or if I need to be brave (when my legs are quivering) ... which has been especially prevalent this weekend as I walked into the Britmums Live conference. I had been last year, knew lots of lovely people but that didn't stop the conference nerves.

   I was being silly. I knew that.

   I needed some attitude. Some confidence and belief in myself.

   I reminded myself that I had an amazing sponsor to shout about and it was so easy to do that. Swimming is something every mum wants their child to be able to master and I had great fun sharing our experiences with lots of mums and mums to be.

   So when I got home, it seemed only natural for my "babies" to be in the water in this glorious sunshine.

   

   I think looking at this photo ..... maybe I need a little of her attitude!

   

    

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4. Announcing my Britmums Sponsor : Water Babies

   Posted on 10:03am Wednesday 18th Jun 2014

   I am absolutely delighted to be able to share with you that Water Babies Midshires are my sponsor for Britmums this year.

   It is no secret that we LOVE Water Babies and the skills they have taught not only the little one but us too, so it seems a natural fit for an event where I am going to learn more skills that Water Babies would be my sponsor.

   

   Britmums is a 2 day event that is designed to unite, develop and engage a community of bloggers from all walks of life ..... it is not just about Mums but many do bring babes in arms. Older children are not allowed at the event, as much from a safety perspective (than allowing mums to have time to learn and socialise) but again safety is top priority for Water Babies so it is the perfect partner.

   Water Babies say:

   Our Water Babies are precious so we take every aspect of their safety very seriously. When it comes to child protection, all the Water Babies teachers are DBS-checked and they are fully insured, making sure they do everything they can to make sure everyone is safe at all times — in, under and out of the water. All of their teachers are qualified life-savers and they’re all trained to carry out infant resuscitation.

   Water Babies are huge supporters of National Safety Week and I am thrilled to part of the Water Babies family.

   If you see me at Britmums, please come and say hello ...... and feel free to ask me anything about baby swimming!

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