On top of teaching children important life skills, attending swim classes offered this new mum emotional benefits as well. Read on for Shizuka’s story.
“We didn’t have any community in the beginning,” Shizuka shared as she recalled her first few months in Singapore. Having moved from Japan with just her husband and daughter, it can be quite lonely to not have the familiar faces of extended family and friends for company and support.
Thankfully, that soon changed after Shizuka enrolled her daughter, Jessica, at a parent-and-baby swim class at Swish Swimming. Initially intended to be a chance for her then eight-month-old baby to build water confidence and learn swimming skills, Shizuka also found herself benefitting from these classes. Being in a parent-accompanied group swim class gave her the valuable opportunity to meet other parents, form her own community, and receive the emotional support that she needed as a new mum who’s also trying to settle into her new home country.
A trial lesson that left a lasting mark on both mum and daughter
Unsure of how Jessica may react to the class, Shizuka signed up for a trial session with Swish Swimming to see if it’s a good fit for both of them. She wasn’t disappointed. “The trial lesson at Swish Swimming left a good impression on us. The coach’s teaching style was a perfect fit for Jessica. We were also impressed by how well they connected with her, making the learning experience enjoyable and effective. This led us to enrol for regular lessons at Swish Swimming,” she elaborated.
It has been three years since Jessica started swimming lessons with Swish Swimming. Shizuka also happily shared that her little girl was recently promoted to the Zuma Paddler class, a non-parent-accompanied class that will now focus on developing her swimming body position.
The mother-daughter duo particularly enjoy the teaching style and programme. The coaches have a great way of interacting with young kids. The swim programme also features fun activities to keep kids engaged. On top of that, the small class sizes ensure that Jessica and other kids have one-on-one focus on their skill development. Shizuka also appreciates the heated pools, as it makes lessons comfortable for kids, especially babies who just started swimming.
The unexpected benefit: making new friends and finding her own mum tribe
Lessons at Swish Swimming became something that Shizuka’s whole family look forward to attending, and it’s not just because of their love for swimming. As the classes are conducted in a group setting, this gave Shizuka and Jessica the chance to meet families with similar-aged children.
“We met Kaito when Jessica just joined Swish Swimming, whose family is now one of our close friends. Jessica and Kaito learn swimming together, and eventually even attend the same kindergarten. Both our families welcomed Jessica and Kaito around the same time. My youngest, Toby, is now taking lessons with Swish Swimming as well. It’s been an amazing journey,” Shizuka shared.
More than just companions, having a community of like-minded mums gave Shizuka the emotional support she needed as a new mum who’s also new to Singapore. This has helped her gain confidence and settle in her new home as well, as she knew there’s always someone she could turn to for advice and support.
The benefits of group swim classes go beyond skills
Kids learn through observation, which is why group swim classes are great as the little ones can learn not just from the coach, but also from one another. In Shizuka and Jessica’s case, the benefits go beyond that both mum and daughter made new, strong bonds with fellow swim mates.
Motherhood can be a challenging journey, and that’s why every mum needs a tribe. One of the best ways to find your tribe is to look for mums with shared values – and a group swim class may just be one of those avenues where you can find it.
Find out more about Swish Swimming’s classes via its website, or contact it for a trial lesson today.
This post is in partnership with Swish Swimming.
