For many Brisbane families, swimming is simply part of growing up. With pools, beaches and warm weather such a big part of life in Queensland, helping children become comfortable and safer around water is something many parents think about from an early age.
But how early is early?
Babies can begin swimming lessons from around three months of age, and Carlile Swim is making it even easier for Brisbane families to get started, with free weekly baby swimming lessons for babies aged 3-5 months through its Little Starfish program.
What do swimming lessons look like for a 3 month old?
At this age, swimming lessons aren’t about teaching babies to swim independently. Instead, they provide a gentle and positive introduction to the water, with a parent or carer right there alongside them.
Little Starfish lessons introduce babies to the sights, sounds and sensations of the pool in a calm and supportive environment. Through age-appropriate activities and play, babies can begin developing familiarity with the water and early water safety skills, while parents learn how to safely support and interact with their baby in the pool.
And there’s another lovely benefit for parents: it’s an opportunity to spend dedicated one-on-one time learning, playing and bonding with your baby.
Why start swimming lessons early?
There are plenty of reasons families choose to introduce their babies to swimming from an early age.
Water safety is an important one, particularly for Australian families. While no swimming lesson can make a baby “drown-proof”, positive and consistent exposure to the water can help lay the foundations for the skills children will continue to develop as they grow.
There are developmental benefits too. Australian research from Griffith University has found that children who participate in early-years swimming can demonstrate stronger physical, cognitive and social development compared with the general population.
Most importantly at this very young age, lessons provide an opportunity for babies to become familiar with the water in a gentle, supported way.
What is Carlile Swim’s Little Starfish program?
Carlile Swim has been teaching Australian families to swim for 80 years, and its Little Starfish is its program specifically designed for babies aged 3-5 months.
Lessons are gentle and supportive, with parents or carers participating in the water alongside their baby and experienced teachers guiding them through each class.
The Little Starfish program includes:
- Free weekly swimming lessons until your baby reaches 5 months
- Gentle, supportive classes designed for young babies
- An introduction to early water safety skills
- Learning through play
- An opportunity for parents and babies to learn and bond together
- 10% off reusable swim nappies
- There is a one-off $15 registration fee.
Once babies reach 5 months, families can choose to continue their swimming journey in Carlile Swim’s ongoing baby swimming program. There’s no obligation to continue into paid lessons.
Where are free baby swimming lessons available in Brisbane?
Little Starfish is available at Carlile Swim centres across Brisbane, giving families the option to find a location and class time that works for them.
Places are limited and availability will vary between centres, so families interested in the free program are encouraged to check their nearest Carlile Swim centre for current Little Starfish classes.
For parents who have been wondering when to take that first splash with their baby, this could be a lovely way to begin.
Find your nearest Carlile Swim centre and view available Little Starfish classes.
Book your place here