A wealth of benefits is well within the real scope of possibility for babies when they are taught to swim in a gentle, gradual, child-paced and baby-friendly curriculum.  Researchers have documented some of the very measurable effects baby swimming has had on its participants.  Around the world, veteran instructors like ourselves, as well as parents, have witnessed first-hand a range of enhancements to physical, mental, social, and developmental well-being.
 
Emotional and Social Benefits
 
The emotional life of a baby starts early.  All the while, personality is being formed.  Baby swimming provides unparalleled exploration of a unique environment, offering independent movement much sooner than on land.  How empowering!  Imagine the boost of confidence and self-esteem movement through the water brings.  Each time a parent catches his child on a jump or after a swim, the child is learning trust.  When the child is praised for each small achievement on the way to mastering a skill, his or her self-esteem is being built.  Babies' faces glow after they successfully accomplish a task -- they look for approval and validation.  And our acknowledgement of their efforts fosters self-acceptance and pride in a job well done.  In a parent-child group class, a child is also learning from his and her peers, enjoying their company, observing and mimicking.  Babies truly begin to look forward to each other's company and interaction, even side-by-side play.  They learn to take turns, to share, to participate without fear or judgment.  They are also exposed to other caring adults, the parents of their peers, and are encouraged and praised by them as well.  We have observed over the years that our students tend to be rather emotionally balanced little ones -- a product of water and swimming, a positive atmosphere and great parenting.
 
Physical Benefits
 
It should come as no surprise that the benefits of swimming touted by adults as a perfect fitness activity trickle down to our youngest of swimmers as well.  For young babies, early movement through their new, liquid environment liberates them from a heretofore static life.  For older babies, swimming is the natural compliment to their growing repertoire of land-based skills -- walking, running, skipping, jumping.  Because both sides of the body are involved in swimming, and therefore both lobes of the brain, swimming increases coordination, gross motor development and balance. Increased strength, muscle tone, endurance and lung capacity results from progressive exercise and practice in the water. Fine motor skills are enhanced while playing games, using toys and participating at the water pouring station.  Parents notice better sleeping patterns and longer, more restful naps following swimming.  Early family swimming sets a pattern for lifelong enjoyment of water, physical activity and health.  It also sets the stage for later participation in recreation on and in the water...fitness, boating, fishing, scuba, snorkeling, kayaking, surfing, canoeing, playing at water theme parks, etc.
 
Safety Benefits
 
With time, practice, developmental capability and the gradual acquisition of skills, babies can acquire the necessary age-appropriate swimming safety skills to aid them in a water emergency.  A calm child who feels at home in the water and who has practiced safety skills on a regular and consistent basis with his parent will not panic, but rather, proactively implement the techniques he has learned.  (These skills should only be considered a supplement and never the primary form of drowning prevention).  No child should ever be considered "drown-proof."
 
Parenting Benefits
 
Where else but in the water can you commune skin to skin, face to face, with your baby for extended periods of time and yet be surrounded by an inviting, warm, natural element?  And to top it off, you both can be soothed and refreshed as well as play and move in unison.  Teaching your baby to swim increases your bond with your baby as you exercise patience, positive encouragement and kindness.  You'll learn about his or her growing personality, sense of humor, and approaches to new situations.  As you teach, you'll become aware of your child's learning style and you'll gain a respect for his changing needs and abilities.  These are both tools that will help your parenting as he grows.  You're going to learn as much as your baby does.
 
Special Needs Benefits
 
For parents of special needs children, water is a great equalizer.  The warmth, softness, buoyancy and enveloping nature of water makes it a forgiving element.  It is undeniably therapeutic.  Water often allows greater freedom, experimentation and exercise than land can.  Coupled with other therapy modalities, baby swimming can offer families an enjoyable medium to bond, exercise and teach.  Playing with toys in the water can help facilitate communication, sequencing of events, language acquisition, following instructions, etc.  For pre- and post-operative patients who are babies, toddlers and tykes, the water can allow valuable whole body strength for recovery.  Getting special needs children into water early is of wonderful benefit.  In the gentle method of teaching, water is a "yes" environment.  (Yes I can)!!  Trying and accomplishing happen at the child's pace, celebration is everywhere, positive reinforcement abounds.