A NEW swimming program in Bendigo for children aged three months to three years aims to teach children the skills and water safety techniques necessary to enjoy the Australian outdoor lifestyle.
The half-hour classes are being run in the indoor hydrotherapy pool at St John of God Hospital, with a parent in the water with their child throughout.
According to St John of God aquatic program manager Carolyn Needs, the classes are filling fast and more may need to be scheduled.
“The aim is to create a fun and relaxed atmosphere for both parents and children to enjoy water familiarisation,” she said.
“All classes are led by a qualified instructor and the focus is on having fun, while incorporating skill-based activities into different games and songs.  
“Small class sizes and special teaching techniques ensure that the lessons are appropriate for the child-ren’s stages of development and personal abilities.”
Skills taught in the swim classes include floating, breath control, basic kick and arm action, jumping and turning.
Ms Needs said parents played an important role in the classes by helping to improve their child’s water confidence.
“The BabySwim program provides a great opportunity for parents to spend time with their children while helping to teach them valuable water safety skills,” she said.
For more information about the program phone 5434-3261.