SOUND ADVICE FROM PROFESSIONALS

Enid Whelan is the Chairlady of the Professional Baby Swimming Teachers Association and have specialised in teaching infants for the past 19 years and have presented teaching courses to many existing swimming teachers. The following are excerpts taken from letters that she had written to the magazines: “Your Baby”, January 2002 and “Living and Loving”, January 2001:

WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR

Parents should investigate and make thorough inquiries before enrolling their children in a swimming school. It isessential that the teacher is legitimately and adequately qualified to teach a specific age group. Parents areadvised to request proof of qualification. A well-established school with references should be your priority. I’d like to stress that anyone undertaking swimming classes should be trained in CPR. Classes should not be overcrowded and lessons should be well organised and of adequate duration for the need of a particular age group.

Water temperature should be between 28 and 32 degrees for the under 3 year olds and the pool enclosed or protected from the elements. A well furnished dressing room is an advantage. Look before you leap! The swimming teacher should provide opportunities for your child’s social, intellectual and emotional growth as well as swimming instruction. She should abound with patience. The most important aspects to consider are water safety,awareness and respect as well as discipline and enjoyment in and around water.

REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS

After enrolling their child in a swimming school, parents often expect him / her, regardless of age, to be able to perfect a certain stroke during a given time. What is a realistic expectation you as parent shouldhave? The dictionary defines swimming as “to move along in water by means of movements of the body, especially the arms and legs”. Very young children cannot perfect a swimming stroke, or “master” the complex skills of swimming, until such time as they are developmentally ready and have reasonable co-ordination - but they can “swim” at an early age. They can also float independently at a very early age. With all the contact that we, as South Africans, have with water, it is absolutely essential that all children learn to swim even before they learn to walk. This is a life-saving responsibility and a commitment that every parent should undertake and is not negotiable.