A new survey conducted by Tommy’s, the baby charity and Huggies Little Swimmers has revealed that swimming provides an invaluable way for parents to boost the bond between themselves and their child.
In a survey of over 1,000 parents, it was found 21% of them felt more connected with their child after they had been swimming together.
Parents have also reported that swimming has increased their confidence in their parenting skills and improved the mood of their little one.
Huggies Little Swimmers Baby Friendly Pool directory provides parents and carers with a nationwide list of swimming they can use to create a closer bond with their child.
Launched in Spring 2005, the Baby Friendly Pool campaign was created by the Amateur Swimming Association (ASA), ISRM and Huggies Little Swimmers in response to research that highlighted parents’ desire for greater information about taking their young children and babies swimming.
The criteria is set on standards agreed by the ISRM and the ASA, reflecting the important factors parents need to consider to ensure they have a suitable environment for baby swimming. The directory can be found at www.littleswimmers.com/uk.
The survey coincides with the launch of the 10th anniversary of Tommy’s annual Splashathon, sponsored by Huggies Little Swimmers. The event encourages babies and toddlers all over the country to ‘splash for cash’, by splashing a width or length of their local pool throughout May and June, to raise money for the charity which funds research into the causes of miscarriage, premature birth and stillbirth.
Dr Miriam Stoppard is keen to promote the health benefits that swimming events such as splashathon can encourage.
“Getting your baby into the water from an early age is fantastic for a child’s development,” she said. “It helps to improve co-ordination, balance and core muscle development, giving them a full but gentle physical work out and strengthening the baby’s heart, lungs and respiratory system, which in turn, aids cognitive development.”
TV star Amanda Holden is also supporting the Splashathon event, she added, “I love going swimming with my daughter Lexi, I take her all the time – so I think Tommy’s Splashathon is a fantastic idea. It gives mums and dads the perfect opportunity to introduce their baby to the pool – boosting the bond between them and encouraging their baby’s physical development. Swimming is also great for keeping in shape, so there’s really no excuse for not taking part. If you do need that extra nudge, then remember it’s for a good cause.”
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For more information contact ASA Media Assistant Gemma Field on 01509 632262, 07917 726431 or email gemma.field@swimming.org
The Amateur Swimming Association is the English National Governing Body for Swimming, Diving, Water Polo, Open Water, and Synchronised Swimming. It organises competition throughout England, establishes the Laws of the Sport and operates comprehensive certification and education programmes for Teachers, Coaches and Officials as well as its renowned Learn To Swim Awards scheme. The ASA supports 1,600 affiliated swimming clubs through a National/Regional/County structure. The ASA aims to ensure everybody has an opportunity to learn to swim.
The Kellogg’s ASA Awards Scheme is the most successful awards scheme in British sport and issues around two million awards every year to swimmers all around the world.
For more information about ASA Awards please see www.swimming.org
