Generally Parent-Child-swimming is offered for each stage of life (from 2 months up to 4 years).

Neonatal-/Baby- swimming: 1st year of life (2-12 months)
Toddler swimming: 2nd year of life (13-24 months)
Infant-swimming: 3rd to 4th year of life (25-30 months)

The infant profites from the early social interaction, from the physical contact and from the unrestricted possibilities of motion/movement in the water. The pedagogical aim of these courses is to intensify the parent-child-relationship, to delevop both a pleasure of motion in and familiarity with the water and to impart curiosity and willingness to learn for/within the environment and group,(therefore) to set up the best conditions for a harmonic development/growth of the infant.

Familiarity with water and learning to swim

Once the infant has become familiar with the water over its first three years of life, it will begin with first attempts of moving in the water ('dog'-paddling). The physical, coordinational, mental and motivational matureness to learn to swim independently, is developed by an infant around its fourth birthday. At this age an infant can participate in a swimming course without its parents, to aquire the badge of early swimmers (s.g. "Seahorse" , 25 m schwimming idependently, diving into the pool, fetching an object from the ground in shoulder-deep water). Not until aquiring the bronze badge ( 15 min swimming without a break, 1m-dive and diving 1,80 m in depth) the infant is a swimmer.

Providers and Costs

Parent-Child-classes are offered by different providers in Germany: Swimming-clubs, German Lifesavers Association (DLRG), family education centers, adult education centers, private (swimming-, sport-) schools or at public pools by the bath attendant. Inform yourself about the qualification of the instructor! The admission charge for the stay in the bath and the guided class vary between 5,- and 15,- Euro, due to the condition of the bath (quality, equipment) and the qualification of the instructor.

Preparation for the stay at the pool

Before signing up a swimming class/course, you should make your child familiar with the water temperature of the public pool (approx 32° C), by lowering the temperature of its domestic bath from 37° to 33°C. Also you should consult your pediatrician, wether your child can participate a swimming class/course from the medical viewpoint (some institutions demand a medical attestation). If your child is not in best health or is suffering from fever, contagious diseases it must not participate the class/course!

•  Babys / Toddlers should wear a proper swimming trunk with tight sleeve-bands, not restraining the childs ability to move.
  
  
• To prevent slippery/fall and for hygienic reasons parents and their child should wear waterproof footwear outside the pool.
  
  
• Babies and toddlers are only to use or being changed on their own towles./Parents should use their own towel changing the nappies of the babies or toddlers. Parents should remember to take an extra nappy for after the swimming.
  
  
• Parents as well as children are supposed to take a shower before and after the swimming. In order not to frighten the babies and toddlers of the splashing water it is useful to have a hose in the shower (e.g. the inner tube of a bike tyre). To keep the children warm parents should bring a large towel or a dressing gown. Only use body lotion after the swimming / Body lotion is only to be used after the swimming.
  
  
• As the exercises in the water makes the children hungry they should be breastfeeded or get a warm drink after the swimming.
  
  
•  Hair and ears of the children should be dried and a cap put on before going outside.