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AquaBaby

AquaBaby


Build up confidence, detect emotional stress and learn to understand your kiddies before they even begin to walk. Ann Fordham takes the plunge.Howmany parents understand that their children are equally subject to the pressures of modern-day life? Factors affecting babies, as early as the age of one, may have a negative effect on them in later years.

The answer to understanding your children better and to help emotional, social, and academic problems when they're older is to plonk them in a swimming pool for a few hours a week-under your supervision. That's according to Dr. Suriya Na Nagara. the medical Director and founder of Aquafitness - the first club of its kind in Thailand.

The children on the course are between four months and a year old. The concept of the Aquababy course
is bonding rather than to create Olympic swimmers. The workshop sessions are run by one instructor
who supervises a maximum of five babies. Although the instructors are actively involved in the teaching, they provide
quidance and encouragement to parents, who take on the role of teachers.
In this way parents spend quality time with their babies in a different situation and often learn as much about themselves as their kids. "People often misunderstand their children. When a child appears frightened of getting
into the pool some parents are disappointed and believe their child is cowardly. But in most cases the child is just being cautious
about approaching the water," says Dr. Suriya. "You can learn a great deal about babies just by watching their reactions.
You can detect how well they deal with stress and use that to predict how they will cope in the future."
The Aquababy course consists of the well-known western programmes.The Australian programme emphasised self
sufficiency in the water so that babies are able to swim by themselves. They are taught to float on their backs.
Dr Suriya disagrees with this concept explaining that such a technique risks giving a false sense of security to babies and parents.
Babies in Russia are taught to swimin the hope that they will show enough talent to become world class swimmers.
" They are extremely focused on physical fitness, there's no medical concept or freedom fo for mental development."
Dr. Suriya has taken different qualities from each course to create a holistic approach more in line with the strength.
"We use arm bands and the children float upright and make running movements with their legs.
We do this before many of the babies can walk." The programme aims to create development in all areas: physical strength,
mental acumen and awareness. The first year of life is the most important. As children grow, their perceptions are under constant change,
so the earlier you are able to give them a good mental base and a sense of self-confidence, the better"
As most parents work, Dr Suriya runs the course on Sundays.
This helps to encourage a family atmosphere. Dr. Suriya believes in voluntary participation. "When the babies arrive, if they feel sleepy or moody,
we encourage them to sleep first and play later. Parents can work out in the gym or relax in the spa while they wait."
The Aquababy course began about five years ago. " I used to hold sessions at the Navy Hospital pool where I worked
but the classes were so popular that I moved to my own premises, " The facilities here mean we can offer a lot more."
The club is set in peaceful surroundings off the main road. The pool is the central feature, where the Aquababy course,
Aqua Maternity program and the Aqua Therapeutics take place, the rest of the club is built surrounding the water.
A spa lies adjacent to the pool, there's and aerobics room downstairs and a gym upstairs ( where the equipment is hydraulic for safer use)
AquaFitness has been a great success in Thailand and the Aquababy course is becoming increasingly popular with parents
who are concerned about their offspring, So next time junior is stessing you out, why not head off for a session of aqua bonding.