Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site uvm-gen.UUCP
Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!cmcl2!seismo!harvard!talcott!panda!genrad!decvax!dartvax!uvm-gen!punia
From: punia@uvm-gen.UUCP (David T. Punia)
Newsgroups: net.kids
Subject: Little Dippers
Message-ID: <266@uvm-gen.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 6-Aug-85 08:27:48 EDT
Article-I.D.: uvm-gen.266
Posted: Tue Aug  6 08:27:48 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 10-Aug-85 22:11:54 EDT
Organization: University of Vermont (780a)
Lines: 31


  Our 2 year old started a swimming program at the 'Y' at age 9 months,
with no ill effects.  She absolutely loves swimming, and there have not
been any negative effects in her or any of the other kids in the class,
as far as I can tell.  One might think ear infections would be promoted,
but this has not been the case.  Do be mindful of temperature, though.
Little ones lose heat rapidly in water (small thermal mass), so keep an eye
out for chills.  A t-shirt can help, but the 'Y' where we go keeps their
program pool at about 85 degrees.  We always shower afterwards to get the
pool chemicals off us.  Really, there were no other cautions that come to 
mind.  Whether or not to actually submerge your kid seems to be a matter
of policy.  When we first started, they said don't, but now they've
incorporated quicky dunks into the regular program.

  We were kind of determined that our kid not develop a fear of the water.
I started swimming at a young age, and love the water.  My wife did not,
and has regretted it.  I usually take Tess, so none of Mom's apprehension
rubs off.  Mom's taking lessons, too.  Soon, she'll have conquered it, too.

  Hope our experience helps!


-- 

David T. Punia, Dept. of Computer Science & Electrical Engineering
The University of Vermont, Burlington, VT   05405-0156  
802-656-3330

USENET --> ....!decvax!dartvax!uvm-gen!punia
CSNET ---> punia@uvm  
ARPA ----> punia%uvm@csnet-relay