Baby Swimming

COURSE OUTLINE

This course imparts Birthlight’s original baby swimming practices backed up by clear rationales. Part 1 relates to babies aged 2 months to 10-12 months (variable). Part 2 expands practices taught in Part 1 for babies in their second year (12-24 months), with additional resources for beginner toddlers. The aim is to equip participants to teach parent-baby pairs (including non-swimming parents) with proficiency and confidence.

PART 1 

Course contents include:

• How to empower parents to let the water support their babies: parent immersion and use of the properties of water for baby swimming
• A repertoire of 6 ‘relaxed holds’ allowing parent-baby communication and well supported gentle movements in water from a stable stance (demonstrations with dolls)
• ‘Relaxed baby floats’ progressing from ‘cradle float’ in arms to floating with hand support
• Rhythmical sequencing of mini-moves, rapid and slow, that support babies’ integration of primitive reflexes in the first year 
• Use of water noodles to support parents in ‘front rides’, floating on their backs with their babies on board
• Common ‘baby cues’ through which babies communicate their readiness or resistance to specific water practices and resources to help parents respond appropriately
• Playful techniques to gradually detach babies from parents’ bodies 
• ‘Mirroring practices’ to familiarise parents with babies’ sensory integration in water including joint preparation for submersion
• Fundamentals of research on how babies learn and build memories (applied to baby swimming)
• Practical resources to support different parents and babies individually and in groups

You will also learn:

• How to prepare class materials with options to change plans if needed
• How to engage parents in observations and ‘learning from their babies’

PART 2 

• Fluid transitions between ‘relaxed holds’ to encourage babies’ self-propulsion
• How to teach a set of upright practices to encourage rotation as a foundation of swimming
• Model circuits including rafts, wall bar and/or pool steps to gradually ‘widen the gap’
• in jumps
• Use of props to promote ‘water body balance’
• Fundamentals of anatomy of physiology for the second year relevant to motor skills in water
• ‘Learning plateaus’ and activities to sustain parents’ interest
• How to promote enjoyable spontaneous submersions 
• Integration of beginner toddlers in mixed groups: patterns of progression, techniques to promote parents’ relaxed handling of tentative toddlers
• Water safety skills for the second year
• First transitions to unaided swimming

You will also learn:

• How to chart progressions of babies/toddlers in the water 

WHO CAN ATTEND THIS COURSE? 

• Baby swimming teachers who wish to expand their techniques
• Qualified swimming teachers 
• Birthlight’s ‘mother’s route to baby swimming qualification’ for swimmers who have experience with babies

Notes. A CPR qualification is highly recommended. Life Saving skills are required for those planning to work in pools without a lifeguard on poolside. Birthlight recommends the STA Safety Award for Teachers (first aid, lifesaving skills, CPR including infant CPR).

For those outside the UK, compliance with local regulations for lifeguarding and lifesaving qualifications should be adhered to.

FORMAT AND DURATION 

The course is available in 3 formats:

Face-to-face	5 Days Part 1: 3 Days (5 pool sessions) face-to-face meetings Part 2: 2 days (3 pool sessions + assessment)
Livestream & Face-to-face Blended	Part 1: Livestream Zoom tutoring + online learning component Part 2: 2 days face-to-face (4 pool sessions)
Livestream Blended	Part 1: Livestream Zoom tutoring and online learning component + home study + review of practice

We have more explanation on course formats in the FAQ’s.  

As much as possible our live-streamed tutoring will be GMT scheduled for possible morning access to course participants in America, Asia and Australia.

There is scope to record the training sessions to allow each student to access them when they can get to a pool or when convenient for them. 

Study materials include:

• A comprehensive Baby Swimming Manual given at the start of the course
• Explainer videos
• Practice and Class recordings for teaching purposes 
• Printable handouts
• Example lesson plans
• Substantial online resources (including access to streaming relevant chapters from the Birthlight Water Parenting DVD)

 All live stream classes are followed by breakout rooms, discussion and tutor-supervised practical assignments (individual or in pairs). Participants’ exchanges are encouraged between course parts through What’s App or Wechat). Tutor support is available to course participants while completing their assignments.

Our online training modalities are fully recognised by Birthlight insurers, BGi. 

ASSESSMENT 

This course is assessed with theory quizzes and practicals throughout the course. To gain your certification you will need to submit a documented case-study of four teaching sessions (templates are provided) and a recorded video (10 minutes) of your teaching as specified by the course tutor.  

QUALIFICATION

On successful completion of Parts 1 & 2 practical assessments and online reading and tasks, course participants will obtain the Birthlight Baby Swimming Certified Teacher qualification. The Birthlight qualification is well recognised worldwide for its stringent quality standards.

After two years of teaching, Birthlight Baby Swimming Certified Teachers qualify to take the STA Level 3 Diploma course in Parent-Child swimming. 

WHAT STUDENTS SAY ABOUT THE COURSE

This course was amazing. It exceeded my expectations & I was excited about becoming a swim teacher from day one. The education & hands on practical work we received in just 3 days was amazing. Gill ensured we learned loads but in a fun and interactive way. She delivered the course in a very nurturing way which made it all very easy. Loved it all. Thanks Gill!Sinéad, July 2022 Northern Ireland

Went Into the birthlight course thinking I was teaching baby swim, after the course I found it to be much more than baby swim, it’s about fun for both parent and baby, relaxing and bonding for parent and child. In a fast pace technology lead life it’s 30 mins of being in the water and enjoying time with your child and as a teacher aiding that fun bonding experience. Which hopefully we can pass on.Laura, July 2022 Northern Ireland

I have just completed my baby swim course with Gill , and it was fantastic ! I could not recommend her enough , her passion and knowledge is amazing . Gill has a wonderful presence and makes you feel at ease both in the classroom and in the water . I thoroughly enjoyed my 3 days ! Thank you .Jamie, July 2022 Northern Ireland

I really liked practice sessions with real mums or dads and babies.  Some practical questions which came up to my mind in real teaching experience were clearly presented in theory or discussion faze. I really enjoyed the dynamic flow of 5 days.  All the trainees showed improvement and we could learn from each other.   It took some days for me to get used to getting into & out of the water, but lunch break gave me a nice change.  

Even though I was not from a swimming background, the course was informative from a parenting perspective.  There was a lot of personal discovery as with other Birthlight trainings!Rumi (Japan) Baby Swimming course 1&2 Singapore 2020

A wonderful course aimed at promoting wellbeing for children as they embark on their swimming journeyRosanna Mahmood-Bishop, BS1 Cambridge, February 2020

FURTHER STUDY

Further training: CPD and stand-alone courses that double as CPD’s.

	Short Course	CPD
Foundations of Swimming for Toddlers (2-4yrs)	X	X
Swimming for babies/toddlers with special and additional needs	X	X
Aquatic Nurture for Newborns	X	X
Baby-led submersions		X