Taking the Plunge
Teach your baby how to swim
Learning to swim is a life-changing childhood event. It could be a touching memory of a loving parent supporting your body just below the water’s surface or a traumatic one of being thrown into the cold pool by your impatient siblings.
These days, learning how to swim can be as much a milestone as learning how to walk or use a spoon and fork. It’s a practical skill that can be taught to babies as young as 5 months old.
In Madrid, there are several clases de matronatación, or baby swimming classes, available almost all year round.
The weekend swimming classes seem to be popular with the dads. It’s a great chance for them to bond with their babies, while moms can take a break or watch from the sidelines.
You’ll need:
- a swimming cap for yourself
- towels for yourself and your baby
- a swim diaper for your baby
Bahía Madrid
Bahía Madrid offers a matronatación class for ages 6-23 months. Each class is 30 minutes long and there is one monitor per group of 4 children. One parent must accompany each child in the pool.
The heated indoor pool can be viewed from an observation area if the non-participating parent wishes to look on.
Classes are sold in monthly packages of once, twice or thrice weekly sessions.
Schedules are Tuesdays at 11:30 and 16:30, Thursdays at 12:00, 12:30, 13:00 and 16:30, Saturdays at 12:30 and 13:00, and Sundays at 11:00, 11:30. 12:00 and 12:30.
Baby Swim
Baby Swim has a baby swimming course for 5-month to 3-year-olds. Each class lasts 30 minutes and there are 5 children per monitor.
Babies are divided into groups according to their level: 0, 1 and 2. Parents must participate in the first two levels but may watch from outside the pool when the child reaches the third level.
The course consists of 20 classes completed within 2 months. After that, Baby Swim offers monthly rates of once or twice a week for practice.
Classes are held in 30 minute intervals from 12:00 to 13:30 and 16:30 to 20:00.
Orgaz Nursery School
Orgaz Nursery School’s matronatación classes are for children between 5 months and 2 years old. Classes are 30 minutes long and parental participation is required.
About Anna Bitanga
I've been living in Madrid since 2007, married to a madrileño since 2008, and mom to our son since 2011. Tech is my thing. I love salmorejo, matrimonios and cazón adobado. I don't watch football.
