Baby begins to roll over on his own, and soon he will be on his legs and then walking to explore the world. Physical awakening is done from an early age, and we know how important it is to give them room to move and learn on their own. And this is true both at home and outside. So, finally, why not enroll baby in a baby sport class so that he can explore a little more?

Baby sports

From 2 years old, your child can take up a sport. But not just any. Only one is suitable for his age: baby-sport. In reality, these are sessions of bodily awakening sensory stimulation allowing the psychomotor development of the toddler, from 2 to 6 years old. The goal is to reproduce, in a secure and organized space, benches or obstacles to face, mattresses on which the children can jump... By trial and error, by making mistakes, the child must find solutions alone to overcome the obstacles. Set up by the educator. What is the easiest way to get over the bench? Can you find another?... Cloth, paper, foam, cubes, and balls, the toddler is also encouraged to manipulate objects of different shapes and materials. He learns to explore space and discover himself. All exercises are age-appropriate.

Sports activities for babies are done through fun sessions that will allow the baby to have fun, learn and awaken through sport. These practices are not intended to make the baby an Olympic champion but to awaken him bodily and sensory to better introduce him to the different sports for children. These sessions are mostly done in groups; this will allow him to fully understand community life and group work, essential concepts that he will need in the more or less near future.

During sports activities, there are situations that the baby will have to face; this will allow him to make decisions and finally to resolve them. Furthermore, this method aims to make him learn certain automatisms to effectively acquire the gestures required for a particular situation. But rest assured, all this happens in a succession of steps without rushing the baby and in the most total safety.

These activities, therefore, offer a place of experimentation and sharing, allowing the child to awaken and flourish thanks to playful sports activities leading him step by step towards autonomy.

From what age can a baby do baby sport?

There really isn't an age to start playing sports. Psychomotricity is the best example! Even if we are not here in a planned physical activity, but rather in the culture and the knowledge of the body.

Some activities can start very early, such as for baby swimmers. Unfortunately, there are few sports activities for children under one-year-old. It is often between the ages of 4 and 6 that the child has the physical abilities that allow him to really practice a sport.

Before the age of 3, you can offer your baby swimming babies, the baby gym, and even some yoga sessions! Otherwise, you can also enroll him in a few activities during your holidays in the centers offering activities (mini-ski lessons, baby basketball, etc.)

Swimming babies

Swimming is by far the best-known and most practiced sporting activity for babies since it is possible to start sessions from the age of 4 months.

The aim of these "baby swimming" sessions is to promote the psychomotor development of the little ones but also to familiarize them with the aquatic environment. A child who has done the "baby swimmers" will not necessarily know how to swim earlier than another, but he will be used to the water, and learning to swim will be easier.

During these sessions, the baby is supervised by one or both parents in the presence of a professional. The goal is to have fun first and foremost. There are several methods in the "baby swimming" lessons; we advise you to avoid those where you throw your baby into the water. The "aquatic awakening" methods are much more fun, both for the child and for you. The child tames this environment gently and at his own pace.

Baby does not really learn to swim; he plays. However, gradually he discovers the water, floats, moves, and then goes underwater. There are also structures available such as mats, boards, chicken coops, etc. For a baby to experience new sensations, of course, this is to be adapted to the child's age.

The child becomes independent and gains confidence.

The baby gym

From 12 months, it is possible to enroll your child in a baby gym class. These gymnastic sessions help him have a good perception of his body and the space surrounding him while working on his flexibility. The baby-gym is a very playful sport where the exercises are sometimes solo and sometimes in the form of collective games.

The sessions are mainly focused on the development of babies' motor skills with:

  • Great motor skills: running, crawling, turning, jumping, etc. ;
  • Fine motor skills: manipulation of balls and objects of all kinds;
  • Expressive motor skills with dance and mimes.

The primary goal is once again to have fun, to play sports while having fun. Therefore, the rooms are equipped with carpets and foams so that baby evolves in a secure space. In addition, the instructors provide children with all the baby-gym equipment suitable for early childhood.

First fully accompanied by his parents and supervisors, the child gradually gains autonomy and then carries out the instructions requested on his own. A part of freedom and imagination is also left to the child during these gymnastics lessons.

Baby evolves with other children of his age and learns to socialize by being part of a group. And once back home, he can have fun reproducing a few exercises with you on his little rolling mattress.

Yoga for babies

From an early age, we can see that baby moves to feel well-being by stretching, for example. The search for sensory well-being is therefore very present, very early on. Baby yoga is a way to bring other moments of relaxation to our children.

While strengthening the bond of attachment between parent and baby, yoga is a fun activity that everyone enjoys. In addition, baby yoga is ideal for a baby's sensory and psychomotor awakening.

Yoga sessions can start very early, around 3 or 4 months, as soon as the baby begins to have significant awakening phases. At this age, the baby discovers what is happening around him and gradually imitates gestures.

It is only around the age of 18 months to 3 years that the child performs the small exercises alone because he will have gained autonomy.