Otter Pup One
In our Otter Pup One class we focus on creating a positive connection between your baby and the water. We spend a lot of time teaching your child (and you!) to prepare for submerging through conditioning and teaching breath control above the water. Only when you and your baby are comfortable will we begin submerging and extending their underwater skills. We teach the beginnings of propulsion through kicking and paddling skills. Most importantly, we begin the process of teaching your child the basic elements of being safe around water. What you and your baby learn at Somerville Swim School can even be transferred to the bath and pool too! Babies will move into the Otter Pup Two class once they are 9 months old.
Otter Pup One are:
- Aged 3-9 Months old
- Swimming babies bonding with Mum or Dad in the water each lesson
- Group class with a maximum of 6 students
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Age based progression
What do our Otter Pup One students learn?
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Lots of fun songs to make learning to swim fun for you and your baby
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Building confidence, accepting and feeling comfortable in the water
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Gentle water familiarisation and a great bonding experience
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Learning breath control techniques and preparing to submerge your swimming baby when you are both ready
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Building on your baby’s strong buoyancy skills to develop floating skills
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Beginning to develop kicking and paddling skills
Our aim at the end of Otter Pup One is to have babies who are happy and confident in the water, and carers who are also confident in handling their baby in bodies of water. Breath control, submersion and mobility skills will be further developed in Otter Pup Two, which children move to at the age of 9 months.
When I graduate from Otter Pup One:
- I am comfortable in the water
- I am comfortable with water on my face
- I can kick my legs with assistance
- I can float on my back with assistance
- I can rotate my body in the water with assistance