Water babies class helps develop infant's brain

by Airman 1st Class Taylor Bourgeous
92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

2/3/2016 - FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- Where can parents and babies go to meet other parents and develop their children? The Family Advocacy Water Babies class at the Fitness Center works to build Fairchild's youngest brains.

The class teaches parents to bond with their kids and how to help develop the gross and fine motor skills. The sessions start with singing and repetitive behavior for the kids. They learn not only through the parents and eye contact but music and movement helps neuro development for both sides of the brain, said Mary (Puffett) Cook, 92nd Medical Group new parent support program nurse.

Cook and Susanna Senent, 92nd MDG Family Advocacy program assistant, teach the water babies class.

"We have our classes Wednesdays at 11 a.m. at the Fitness Center pool. Both moms and dads can come, but it's one parent in the pool with their child," Cook said. "The cost is two dollars and they have to have a little swimmer diaper."

"The age group is 8 weeks to 36 months or 3 years old," she said. "Every child is catered to based on what they are able to do. We don't expect an 8 week old to be able to do what a 36 month old can."

Parents will bring their children to the class so they can interact with their peers. In some cases this is the first time they have seen other babies, Cook said.

Jenny Pierson, a participant and stay at home mom, stated that the socialization her child gets is great, especially since she is an only child.

"Nurse Puffett is great about going over the developmental aspects and reassuring new moms that things are good," Pierson said. "She goes over what we can do to help grow certain skills with our kids."