Learn to swim
If it’s time for swimming lessons for your family, check out one of these:
FloatPlus Swimming:
www.floatplus.hk
Platypus Aquatics:
www.platypusaquatics.com
Innate Fitness:
www.innatefitnesshk.com
Katie Heyring:
heyrings@yahoo.com.sg
water more when they learn at their
own pace, experience success, practise
repeatedly and receive praise for their
efforts.
Karen says:
Be gentle and positive
and practise as much as you can in the
bath – swishing through the water and
moving legs/arms in kicking/paddling
actions, keeping it fun.
What should parents do if their child
is
too
confident around water?
Andrew says:
Let them experience
a small amount of fear in the water,
with the parent/coach immediately
on hand. Be calm and confident as the
child will feed off your reaction.
Katie says:
Lessons on water safety
are vital (for example, never running
around a pool, checking depth before
diving, etc.). And kids should always
be supervised by an adult who can
swim.
Sharon says:
Parents must
establish rules with their children and
constantly reinforce them. Basic rules
such as asking to enter the water need
to become routine.
Karen says:
It is a balance
between encouraging children’s skills
as they naturally challenge themselves
(
sometimes exploring beyond their
capabilities), and making them
aware of potential dangers. Setting
boundaries is crucial.
What are your top three water-safety
tips?
Andrew says:
1)
Teach kids that
the side of the pool is their saviour.
Children need to reflexively look
for the side, rather than another
swimmer. This is only achieved
through repetition: Jump in the
water, turn around and grab the
side. Repeat. 2) Teach your child the
respect that water deserves. 3) Teach
them confidence in going underwater.
If children can remain calm if they
fall in, there is a higher likelihood
they will save themselves by getting
to the side.
Katie says:
1)
Start young. 2)
Don’t skimp on the safety measures:
swimming lessons; putting up
barriers (fencing, pool alarms, pool
covers); becoming CPR-certified;
and practising “touch” supervision
–
always staying within arm’s reach.
3)
Find a water-safety class for your
child. He will be taught to hold his
breath underwater, flip onto his back
to float, and swim to the side in case
he falls in.
Karen says:
For children: 1)
Never go near water without an
adult. 2) Always wear a life jacket
on a boat. 3) Always listen to the life
guards. For parents: 1) Know your
own swimming limitations – if you
cannot swim, then learn. 2) Always
have your child in sight. 3) Be aware
of potential dangers.
Summer 2013
51