If your child’s symptoms only include a cough or some mild congestion, it’s not always necessary to skip a class. If your child is feeling alright, even though he or she is presenting some slight indicators of a chest cold, it’s worth it to consider coming to your lesson. We’ll discuss in a moment what to do if your child has a fever or more contagious symptoms, but in the case of congestion, think of these benefits to swimming (especially indoors):

• Being in a warm, moist environment can loosen up stubborn congestion and aid with breathing…almost like a humidifier. A more productive cough could result from spending that half hour in the pool area.
• If your child is feeling well enough to participate in activities and he or she does not have a fever, chances are they’re good to go! Moving around and performing physical activity is a good way to get all the systems in the body going, which will help move that congestion out of the way.
• Attending your lessons as regularly as possible is always encouraged. Of course there will be illnesses, appointments or other events that prevent you from coming to a class or two, but be careful not to ‘take the easy route’ and just decide not to come because your son or daughter has a mild cough. Consistency with swim lessons is crucial.

With those points also come some precautions. Like we mentioned before, if your child has a fever or a more contagious symptom, that’s a different story. While a low-grade fever is not always indicative of a major illness, anything at or above 101 degrees should be closely monitored, and your child should not participate in swimming or other group activities where an illness could spread. Other symptoms like a runny nose, vomiting or diarrhea call for a break from swim lessons and some T.L.C. at home. Sometimes the best medicine for the ‘bugs’ children contract is extra rest, which means playing, being outdoors, and certainly activities like swimming should be put on hold. If a child is excessively sleepy, irritable or not ‘being him/herself’, it’s also probably a good idea to sit out a lesson until things return to normal.

We always want what’s best for your child, and again, you’re the expert. Hopefully this information can help when you’re just not sure. While Waterworks On Wheels does not offer specific make-up days each month, we will do our best to accommodate clients on a case-by-case basis. If a major illness arises, you can always transfer your credit to a later swim lesson session. Keep up the good work and we’ll see you in the pool!

References:

http://www.livestrong.com/article/516947

http://www.livestrong.com/article/526520

With a Beginner level swimmer, there are several factors to consider when they begin their journey toward being water safe:

What age is the child?

Although Beginner level swimmers start at many ages (sometimes three, sometimes ten, sometimes adults), the earlier a child is able to learn and repeat a skill such as swimming, the faster the muscle memory (or motor learning) process can begin. When a movement or activity is repeated over time, a long-term muscle memory is created for that movement and eventually allows it to be performed without conscious effort. This process decreases the need for attention and creates maximum efficiency within the motor and memory systems. Examples of muscle memory are found in many everyday activities that become automatic and improve with practice, such as riding a bicycle, typing on a keyboard, playing a melody or phrase on a musical instrument…or swimming! (1)

How Comfortable is the Child in the Water?

Everyone experiences anxiety and fear at some point in their lifetime. With children, such feelings are not only normal, they are necessary.  “Having fears or anxieties about certain things can be helpful because it makes kids behave in a safe way,” says KidsHealth.org. While we completely agree, it is equally important to work past fear and anxiety when it comes to swimming (or even getting in the water) so that the child can acquire appropriate water safety techniques and swim skills for self-preservation and well-being. If a child is scared to dip a big toe in the pool, you can expect them to need more time at a Beginner level than a child that is more comfortable in the water. Another good idea is to start Parent/Tot swim lessons so that by the time he/she is ready for a ‘big kid’ class (without mom or dad), they won’t need to spend several lessons on merely getting in and getting wet.

Are You Ready to Commit?

Back to our main point, a child does not become a swimmer overnight…or even in a month (say, the month before that beach trip). So are you ready to commit? If not, you should be. Just like piano lessons or an after-school sport, swimming is something that takes time and dedication…even for your three-year-old. Encouraging your child before and after lessons, making time to practice outside of lessons (even in the bathtub!), being firm when he/she ‘doesn’t feel like it’ (or screams the whole way to the pool), and accepting that it can (and most likely will) take more than one session of swim lessons to see improvement are all very important parts of your child’s success.

So take the plunge! Getting your child in swim lessons at the beginning of the year will not only help them reach the goal of being more water safe by the time you start swimsuit shopping, it will reduce the stress of pushing for development and expecting results essentially overnight.

Now that the new year (and the new swim season) is upon us Waterworks is doing its yearly round of hireing! when we hire new instructors we hire people who are dedicated and who want to last and be an important part of your child’s swim lesson experience. So look for some bright new faces in 2012 but don’t be alarmed because they will all be trained to the exact Waterworks On Wheels curriculum.

-Libby

After 30 minutes of swimming, dehydration can occur. Environmental factors contribute to a swimmer’s dehydration—warm water temperature and warm, humid air around the pool can increase the need for fluids. The National Association of Athletic Trainers recommends drinking about 2 cups (16 ounces) of water 2 to 3 hours before a workout or swim meet with another 1 cup (8 ounces) 10 to 20 minutes before diving into the pool. Most workouts are long and strenuous, so drink about 1 cup of fluid every 10 to 20 minutes during your workout. Keep a sports bottle filled with water at poolside so it is in easy reach.

What should you drink? Try these 5 choices and switch up your drinks for variety.

1. Water is best for most athletes. If you don’t like the taste of plain water, ask mom or dad to slice up lemons or limes to drop into your water bottle for a fresh taste.

2. Sports drinks are a good choice when you have long, hard workouts or have to race many times during a meet. Stick to the basic tried and true sports drinks….like Gatorade or Powerade because they provide a good balance of carbs, sodium and potassium to replace losses.

3. Light sports drinks or zero-calorie sports drinks. These beverages, like G2 or Powerade Zero provide the same amount of sodium and potassium as regular sports drinks. These are good choices when you are trying to get lean or when injured and you are not able to train as hard or as long. These drinks contain artificial sweeteners, so drink them in moderation (1-2 servings per day).

4. Diluted fruit juice. Why dilute fruit juice? Fruit juice is too high in natural sugars to be a good fluid replacement. Fluids that have more than 6 to 7% carbohydrate (fruit juice has about 10% and some fruit juices even more) takes longer to leave the stomach so fluids don’t reach your working muscles as quickly.

5. Low-fat milk is a good pre-workout and post-workout drink because it provides carbs, sodium, potassium (like sports drinks) with the added benefit of protein for muscle recovery and calcium for strong bones. Choose fat-free or 1% milk to lower the fat content; and it is OK to choose low-fat flavored milk like strawberry or chocolate if you prefer the taste.

Staying hydrated can help improve your performance and keep you healthy. Develop an individualized fluid plan and don’t wait until you are thirsty to drink…stay ahead of thirst so you don’t get dehydrated.

Chris Rosenbloom is the sports dietitian for Georgia State University Athletic Department and is the editor of the American Dietetic Association’s Sports Nutrition Manual, 5th edition, schedule for publication in 2012.

Our Waterworks On Wheels clients know — you just can’t get away from that pesky chlorine when swimming in our indoor pools. Though our facilities take excellent care of their pool water and go the extra mile in the even the chemicals seem ‘off’, any indoor pool will eventually make its mark on your or your child’s bathing suit. Take this advice from eHow.com to neutralize the chlorine.

Chlorine smells. It is rumored to turn dyed hair green. It is known to wreak havoc on a favorite swimsuit. While this strong chemical is essential in the pool for the sake of hygiene, it poses a far from friendly environment for bathing suits. To keep a suit in good condition and extend its life, it is necessary to neutralize the effects of residual chlorine.

Suggestions:

1. Rinse your bathing suit with cool water immediately after swimming in a chlorinated pool to help neutralize the effects of the pool chemicals. Don’t just hop in the shower while wearing your swimsuit. Remove your suit and run it under cool tap water for a few minutes to get out as much chlorine as you can before washing it.

2. Soak your bathing suit in a sink of very cool water with 2 tablespoons of vinegar. Vinegar is a good general neutralizer. Don’t worry about the smell. You can remove the vinegar scent when you wash your suit.

3. Purchase a bottle of Chlor-Out if you are a frequent pool swimmer. This product added to a sink full of cool water will neutralize the chlorine that remains in your suit following swimming. This is a product used in aquariums, but many swimmers swear by its effectiveness in getting chlorine out of bathing suits and claim it is gentle to the fabric.

4. Invest in a bathing suit that is made to be chlorine resistant. Always check the label, where information will be given as to whether the suit is made of chlorine-resistant material.

via www.livestrong.com

Swimming in chlorinated pools and mucky lakes and oceans can do a number on your child’s eyes. Salt, chemicals, pollutants and bacteria can make their eyes red, itchy and irritated–and even prone to infection. Swim goggles, which fit over the head with adjustable straps and generally have plastic lenses to cover the eyes, can give them the protection they need from the elements. What is more, wearing swim goggles gives your child the visibility he needs for swimming underwater, which is great for avoiding smashing into pool walls while lap swimming or playing games of underwater tag. Like sunglasses, swim goggles come in a variety of styles, lens shapes, tints and, of course, price points.

What to Look for

Proper fit is essential if you want your child to use his swim goggles. Let’s face it, you wouldn’t happily don something that left painful indentations in your face or leaked water every time you took a dive under. Before you buy, have your child try on the goggles. They should hug his face comfortably without digging into the skin. Slight suction around the eyes helps to ensure water will stay out while he swims. Also check to see if the strap and nose piece are easy to adjust: if you have to pull, tug or loop things through whachamacallits, look for a different pair. If your child will be swimming outdoors, buy goggles with UV protection in the lenses to protect his eyes from sun glare and damage.

Common Pitfalls

Good goggles generally cost good money. But if your child will be using them infrequently, or he is famous for losing things, you might want to opt for a less expensive (albeit, still well-fitting) pair. Also, goggles come in children’s and adult sizes. If your child has a very large head, avoid the kid versions and try fitting him with adult goggles. And while fog-resistant lenses are a real convenience, you don’t necessarily have to shell out the extra bucks for them. You can keep your child’s lenses clear with anti-fog drops or even a little saliva smeared on the inside of the goggle lens. Buying goggles from a specialty swim or sports store means that there is apt to be knowledgeable personnel around who can help you fit your child with the best goggles in your price range.