For baby or toddler – A swim diaper (we recommend using a reusable swim diaper, helps to save costs and the environment), a swim suit to protect from the sun (many of our pools are in shade so you can go without), warm clothes for after class, water and a snack, classes work up an appetite and thirst.  For parent – Your sense of fun and your swim suit (yes you will be getting wet) we recommend something sturdy as the little ones often like to grab onto straps or fabric.  Towels are provided in all our hotel venues.

Water is a very stimulating environment for babies and they are absorbing a lot of new experiences.  30 minutes is the optimal length of time, past this babies get too tired.  Remember being in the water should be a fun and enjoyable experience, tired babies will get overstimulated and stop enjoying being in the water.  Babies learn through play, if they are no longer playing they are no longer learning

While all swimming aids have a time and a place,at Swimming Wonders we believe in teaching our babies and parents to be confident in the water without the use of buoyancy aids, while at the same time have a respect for the dangers.

In Dubai we are lucky to have all year round access to pools, beaches, water parks etc and whilst this is certainly a huge benefit of living here, it also leaves parents with huge concerns regarding their child’s water safety, with drowning being one of the largest accidental deaths in children worldwide. Floating devices can be used but they do tend to give a false sense of security to the child and to the parent. The child can become dependent on them and feel insecure in the water when not wearing them.  Parents can feel the child is safe and be more relaxed whilst supervising which is definitely not recommended as the device can slip off and lead to drowning

Some parents opt for the use of armbands. Although it can help a child to float, we do not use them in our classes. The armbands allow a baby to float in a vertical position whereas swimming usually is done in a horizontal position of the body.

Our advice would be, buoyancy aids are not an alternative to supervision and over use can reduce confidence in the water, give an incorrect water position and hinder development of correct techniques.

Our classes start from 3 months old, however we are able to be flexible if parents want to get their babies in the water before this.  You do not need to wait until your baby has received all his/her vaccinations it is safe to be in the water before this.  We would ask that you receive approval from your doctor or pediatrician if you wish to bring your child before they are 3 months old.  Please note babies will not be learning to swim.  They will be learning to be comfortable in the water, to enjoy it and how to be safe in the environment.  Our Learn to Swim program is dedicated to children from the age of 3.