Importance of water games and water impact on child development

Games in the water increase the resistance of the organism

The games in the water, as well as swimming achieve what other types of physical activity can't. United, natural factors like air, water and sun contribute water games to occupy an important place in improving health status, physical and functional characteristics of the organism. Systematic exposure of the body to the influence of sunlight and fresh air, followed by exercise and stay in dense environment such as water, strengthens the body and improves his defensive ability. On the other hand, the ability of the organism to adapt to the temperature differences between air and water, increases its resistance and enabling more efficient to cope with various adverse external influences.

Adaptation in water

In the process of training for swimming, especially for children beginners, water games are necessary and indispensable tool. Through them is accomplished adaptation to new environment unfamiliar for beginners. Known for its emotional impact, the game distracts the attention who in the game forget that they are in an unknown environment - water, which is gradually getting used to the changed conditions created by water. Playing with water, children perceive its properties as well as being released from the fear of it. In addition, water games a useful to successfully master the basic swimming movements that will be necessary to further "experience " with water.

Consequently for its purpose, water games can be classified as:

Games for adaptation to the new environment;

Games that are necessary to master certain movements of swimming techniques;

Games for active recreation and mood increase.

Water games must have rules

The game must have rules. The rules must be clear and short, tailored to the child's age and purpose in fulfilling the tasks. Setting to hard or to easy rules have negative effect on the game. To hard rules are not motivating while the easy ones make the child to be bored. This role should be evenly distributed to all children and all should be included in the game. Sometimes a major role in the game should be given to children who are not adapted to the water that will be motivating for them. Working with these children is not easy and involves extra effort and patience. Such children must not be let behind, but we have to work hard to eliminate their fear of water, and adequate games are exactly what we need to achieve that goal.

Influence of water games in different development periods

Influence of games and water on newborn

Games in water stimulate intelligence of the baby (newborn). Babies spend 9 months in the water in the womb of their mother. So when you put a newborn baby in the bathroom it feels good and quiet. Games in the water stimulate emotions, and through them the full development of the baby. 

 The time you spent in the bathroom, will befriend the baby with water and will help strengthen the muscles, even if it do not become a good swimmer.

In the aquatic environment the baby move the body freely. The movements in the water quickly prepare the muscles of the body for sitting upright and walking. The time spent in the water stimulates emotional and mental development of the baby. The baby feels comfortable in the bathroom, for him it is a moment of relaxation and rest. On the other hand, it starts to gradually get used to the water and not be afraid of it.

Influence of water games on the baby at 4 months of age

The baby can stay in the water for about 15 minutes. By gradually increasing the stay in water babies in the 6 months can be in water up to 40 minutes, only if the baby is satisfied and entertain in it. While the baby is still small domestic bathroom is fully sufficient for him.

Influence of water games on the child from 4 months to 1 year

When you are holding the child in the water in a half-supine position it feels wonderful. Water stimulates psycho - emotional development. At that point the parents should be very careful to observe the reactions of the baby and to react properly. If the baby is relaxed in the water it will want to lie on the back, the parents need to keep the head above so the ears to stay dry. It's nice when you have various toys and balls to make it through them to lie on his stomach. All kinds of colourful toys that stimulate the longer stay in the water are welcomed.

Influence of water games on the child from 12 months to 18 months

During this period, the child has motor skills, but it is necessary to create conditions for spontaneous movement. At the age of 12-18 months already can walk, and at the age of two years can overcome obstacles up to 15 cm. Running looks like a fast walking.

In fact this are basic natural movements. At that age babies love to be in a vertical position. Infants gradually learn that when swings with hands are raised up above water. The baby will just want to " hunt " the toys under water because it will be interesting and entertaining.

The air temperature in the room where the baby is bathing should be 20-25 degrees Celsius and on the water 37 degrees Celsius.

Influence of water games on the child between 18 months and 3 years

By learning the basic natural movements - walking, running and jumping, the child starts to win the temporal and spatial perception. Thus, already 3 years old child can move in different directions, even in an inclined plane, it can walk on the fingers and toes etc. At this age with children you can plan walks in the fresh air (at a distance up to 1000 meters with rest), and running should be realised through the game activities. For this age is characteristic to linger, climbing, skiing, swimming, biking, scooters etc.

At this age children are often afraid of the water. It starts to say " no" to the water and shows her independence by standing on the edge of the pool and play without hitting the water. You need to have patience. You should not put the child in the water in force. It's when it feels it's ready - the child will go in the water by itself.

Influence of water games on the child from 3 to 7 years old

In the fourth year the child is already able to move under certain rhythm (elementary), and in the fifth year it knows to march on music etc. Already in the sixth year have fully adopted the basic motor movements: run the 100m, to jump up to 50 cm in distance, and in high up to 20 cm. Morphological development and psycho - motor development of the child is affected by internal and external factors. From the internal - endogenous factors are particular relevance heritage, gender, endocrine system, effector tissue and other. From the external factors we would be mentioned geographic - climatic conditions, socio- economic, disease, injuries, etc. However, in educational work with preschool children the big importance for the psychomotor development of children are having the body exercises, as well as other motor activities - especially water activities.