The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more you learn, the more places you’ll go.” ~Dr. Seuss
These days a parent could offer their young child storytime with a picture book as well as by playing an audiobook or with an animated film or just go on YouTube for all sorts of short clips!
Although the explosion of screen-based media has transformed the experience of childhood, from TV and videos, to an unlimited range of technology available at any time via mobile devices, scientifically it’s been shown books are still the best way to open children’s mind to a new world.
7th of March 2019 was World Book Day in the U.K. Books are great resources for bringing excitement into our lives and learn new things through stories. Children who read books have a better understanding of the world around them and can have more imagination. Enjoyment of shared reading between parents and children is also immense.
As children across the UK were thinking about Matilda and Harry Potter to celebrate World Book Day at schools and nurseries, we like to talk about swimming books.
Books and specially picture books about swimming can generate excitement about learning to swim and going to swimming pools and that can make a big difference when young children want to start their swimming journey.
Through reading books, children learn about people, places, and events outside of their own experience and one of the best ways for introducing your child to swimming is through stories. Parents can do use bedtime in advance of going to swimming pools and starting lessons to prepare their kids for what they should expect.
Here is a list of four nice swimming books that you can easily buy or borrow from your local library and toddlers and pre-schoolers will find them a joy to read with you.
Here’s a cute story about ‘Peppa Pig’ who goes to the swimming pool with her parents and her younger brother (George). During the story, young children can learn about a family swim, visiting a swimming pool, armbands. Daddy pig and mummy pig are encouraging parents in this book so, Peppa and George get plenty of encouragements for them for getting in the swimming pool. In this story, Peppa also swims with her friend and finds out how much fun swimming with friends can be.
This book is a good story to show toddlers the fun part of swimming with family and friends
This book is about the famous Maisy being nervous about her first swimming lesson.
From changing room to the swimming pool, children will learn how they look like. It is also a nice story to prepare your child for the first swimming lesson. Eddie and Tallulah-who are Maisy’s friends-have come along and they all have swimming lessons which turns out to be a good fun.
A great swimming teacher of this story is teaching Maisy a lot of things, including floating like a starfish, kicking and blowing bubbles.
These are very similar activities to what children, specially toddlers would be doing at their swimming lessons
Going to the swimming pool for the first time for Topsy and Tim is far from daunting. In this story, Topsy and Tim meet a nice swimming teacher, learn how to swim without their armbands and take part in a swimming competition for beginners.
A cute story which warms children, specially pre-schoolers, towards learning to swim. You can listen to Miranda Gore Browne here reading this book.
It is a fantastic sensory book and highly recommended for babies and toddlers. If you want to show your child what they could do on a beach, this book has plenty to offer. You can have fun using your senses in this exciting and interactive visit to the beach! A journey of discovery designed with young children in mind. Summer and swimming season is approaching fast, so, you can use this book to prepare your toddler for your upcoming beach holiday.
All of these books can help parents explore the wider world with their children. Talking about feelings and emotions mentioned in these stories about swimming, can really help children to connect positively with swimming. Also, it is a great way to build the relevant swimming vocabulary through every book.
A good swim school with professional staff
My girls have been going to Blue Wave Swim School for over 2 years, they have been looking forward to each lesson and keep practicing the swimming tricks even in a bath. All teachers and an owner of the school has been friendly, very professional. They found unique approach and made kids happy, but most importantly show them how to swim and have fun. Thank you very much from our family to Blue Wave Swim School.
April 19, 2021, www.yell.com
Easter 2021 Crash Course
Various lockdowns have held back my daughter’s swimming development so we opted for a crash 4 day course over Easter and she has come away from it much more confident and with a recognisable stroke as opposed to doggy paddle!
April 19, 2021, www.yell.com
Although I have only attended two lessons, Marjan’s bubbly personality makes you feel instantly at ease. During the lessons, the pool was not very busy which is a good thing (as opposed to public pools) for those who are anxious.
I would strongly recommend to adults who have experienced trauma with water at a certain time in their lives.
November 24, 2020, www.yell.com
My son has been going to swimming lessons at Blue Wave in Wimbledon for a few years now and thoroughly enjoys it. The teaching is great and the lessons well run. Helps to prepare him for when we finally get to go on holiday again!
September 26, 2020, www.yell.com
Highly Recommended
My son went to improve his swimming technique and found his instructor very helpful, very kind and patient. The school itself is very welcoming and feels safe for all the children who go there. I would highly recommend it.
August 23, 2019, www.yell.com
Excellent results
My son is 4 years-old and we were looking for weekend swimming classes in a nice environment that could bring good results. After some research we chose Blue Wave Swim. Our son has been having private lessons since the end of 2018 and he is progressing very well. We believe the professionalism of the team, the clean and tidy infrastructure, and the good care of the management are contributing for his development and confidence in the water. Thank you very much Blue Wave Swim!
August 23, 2019, www.yell.com
Awesome!
I am grateful to Marjan and her team at Blue Wave Swim for their hard work and for promoting happiness and enjoyment in swimming. It is amazing to watch the lessons, see the attention, the encouragement and the support the children receive. I have been impressed with my daughters’ progress and the fact that they love attending their classes and learning a vital life skill. Thank you very much. Great job!
August 23, 2019, www.yell.com
Superb Swimming School in Wimbledon
My daughter, who is now 7 years old, started with blue wave two years back and we have been very happy with her progress at the school. Initially we started with group lessons but once she got comfortable in water we moved her to semi private lessons, which made a lot of difference in her ability to learn swimming. As part of the smaller group she is better bonded with other children in the group and gets more attention from the swimming instructor, which is helping her advance her swimming skills. During her 2 years with blue wave, swimming instructors for my daughter have changed and while continuity in learning was maintained, I think this could have been managed better. Needless to say, she still goes and enjoys her time here and looks forward to her class every week. Overall we are very pleased with Blue Wave and would recommend them without any hesitation.
August 23, 2019, www.yell.com
Highly recommend
Highly recommend this swimming school. My daughter has been attending since she was 1 years old and she loves it. The teachers are very good with children and my daughter, who is now 4 years old is very confident in the water.
August 23, 2019, www.yell.com
