My 2-Year-Old Can Swim! This Mom Hurdled Fears And Discouragement To Help Her 'Water Baby' Learn Swimming

Did you know that engaging your babies in swimming lessons even before they could master walking helps create billions of new neurons as they learn to kick, glide, and smack at the water?

According to an article in Healthline, swimming at an early age can improve cognitive functioning. Citing a study of 7,000 children conducted by the Griffith University in Australia, it was suggested that children who swim have advances in physical and mental development when compared to their peers. 

“Specifically, the 3- to 5-year-olds who swam were 11 months ahead of the normal population in verbal skills, six months ahead in math skills, and two months ahead in literacy skills. 

“They were also 17 months ahead in story recall and 20 months ahead in understanding directions,” reads the article.

From water baby to pro swimmer

When Mommy Faith Claudio decided to enroll her 21-month-old daughter Hodaya in swimming lessons in 2021, she was on the right track. “We’ve been calling her water baby because she loves bath time, playing with water, and swimming in the pool a lot. She also loves the beach and is not afraid of the waves,” she says.  

Faith recognizes that swimming is an essential life skill. “Apart from developing cognitive functioning, it strengthens their heart and lungs as well as their arm, leg, and neck muscles,” she adds. 

‘At first we were afraid; friends said it was a waste of money’

Initially, Faith was told by friends and relatives that it would be a waste of money and time to enroll her daughter at such a young age. “They told me Hodaya was still too young for swim class and that she might forget the skill when she grows up. 

“They also told me that she might have trauma from the swim class.” On top of these discouragements, the Claudios were also wary of Covid-19, cases of which were still at its peak at that time so they feared infection if lessons were held at a public pool. 

However, Faith and her husband Robert decided to push through with the swimming lessons. They enrolled her in a nearby swim school that offered private lessons for children Hodaya’s age. 

“At first we feared that she might swallow chlorinated pool water where she can catch amoeba and give her diarrhea. Good thing her pediatrician said it will be okay since she has complete immunizations,” says Faith. 

Lessons began December of 2021, the onset of the chilly months in the country. “She tended to shiver because of the cold water so we moved her swim class from morning to afternoon,” narrates Faith. 

Crying during lessons is normal

Beyond the cold water, Hodaya also had to deal with new emotions brought about by this totally new experience for her. “She behaved like any kid who doesn’t know how to handle big and new emotions,” Faith says about her daughter’s first few days on the water. 

She adds that Hodaya would also cry when she would be asked to do back floats. “She really didn’t like doing it but I think it is a normal reaction among kids her age.”

Most kids were crying the first weeks of the lessons, observed Faith. “We would call it the crying session however it is understandable because they are at that age when they can become clingy which would cause them separation anxiety,” she explains. 

Parents would constantly hear their little ones cry out for their parents. “They would shout ‘Mommy! Daddy! No! Stop!’” recalled Faith. “Our ears hurt as well as our hearts,” she says. 

“Seeing them like that, hearing them call out for our help (broke our hearts) but we endured and remembered to be strong for them.”

Coaches read children’s cues

It helped that the swim coaches were masters at reading children’s cues and knew when to stop and start lessons again. 

“Before starting a session, coaches will ask if your kid already had her nap time or if she was fed. If not, they’ll give break time for snacks, feeding, even nap time,” she says, adding that the coaches were willing to wait for the child to be ready. 

“They know how to comfort the kids, give praises, and interact with them.”

Hodaya’s swimming lessons lasted for three months with a total of 10 sessions, all of which were held during the weekends. Lessons opened with familiarization drills followed by water play with floaters where kids are asked to chase toys on the water. The latter parts were all about back floats.

Swim pro at two

Today Hodaya is more than ready for the beach this summer. At two years old, she is much more comfortable in the water, says Faith. 

“She’s now swimming on her own. Our sacrifices paid off.” With their daughter’s new skill, Faith and her husband worry less about drowning when they allow their daughter on water. 

“Praise God for the strength given to us to endure and believe in our child’s capabilities,” she proudly says. 

This summer, the Claudios are carrying on with plans to go car camping on the beach or a nearby batis. Faith makes a resolve to expose her daughter to as many bodies of water as possible as she grows up. 

“We will continue to make her try swimming on lakes, waterfalls, and rivers as well as indoor water parks and kiddie water parks near in the Metro.”