Healthy Lungs! Last post I talked about staying healthy this winter and how swimming can help. Today I want to talk specifically about kids lungs. There seems to be a lot of asthma out there today. More than when we were kids. Is it because kids are more sedantary? More allergies leading to asthma?

There has been some concern about the chloramines in pools causing irritation in the lungs of asthmatics. However it has been my experience to the contrary. When I swam on the National Team, there was an unusual amount of swimmers on the team who had asthma. Why? Because their Doctors recommended swimming to strengthen their lungs. Tom Dolan, an Olympic Gold Medalist had one of the worst cases of asthma I'd ever seen. The team physician told him swimming saved his life.

Another story of swimming helping strengthen lungs. One of my best friends, had her daughter at only 28 weeks gestation. She was just over 2 lbs at birth. But, she was a fighter and survived. Because she was born so early, she had weak lungs, and if she got sick, it often led to pneumonia. The Doctor told her to start swim lessons. Her lungs grew stronger. But what really made a difference was when she started swim team when she was older. No more winters with the albuterol, inhalers and nebulizers. She rarely got sick let alone had pneumonia. It was thanks to swimming that she has grown so strong in her lungs.

So whether you child has asthma or not, swimming can make your lungs stronger and therefore making them healthier!

Keep this in mind this winter when the inevitable cold virus comes knocking on your door. Swimming will help make the lungs stronger and clear out their noses.

Is it H1N1?

So all 4 of my kids had the H1N1 a few weeks ago. But how did I know it was the old swine flu? Well my Dr. told me it starts with a cough and then on to the high fever for a few days and could be accompanied with vomiting or "the runs". Each of my kids got one of those. But most importantly, the extreme soreness in the muscles after the fever is gone.

When my sturdy 90lb 8 year old son fell out of bed crying on the 4th day, he said he couldn't move, his legs and arms hurt so much. This is coming from a kid who dances, swims, skis and does triathlons. So for him to experience this kind of muscle soreness was very unusual. But, my pediatrician said the H1N1 is manifesting itself with this extreme soreness after the fever.

The flu also had the exact same trajectory with each kid. Slowly picking them off from oldest to youngest. Luckily I got some Tamiflu (an anti-viral drug) , for the younger 2 and they had milder cases.

Phew, we survived. But what about those of you who want the vaccine but can't get it or just don't want the vaccine? Do you stay inside all winter? You already know about the coughing in your elbow and washing your hands like crazy. But did you know that swimming is one of the safest things to do this winter? Exercising in warm water keeps your immune system strong. Chlorine kills germs! Although we use small amounts of chlorine, our Diotenatious Earth filters, UV light and salt water team up to have an extremely clean environment for our children. Sorry viruses, this environment is just not for you!

That being said, swimming in our 90 degree pool comes in real handy on those cold rainy days where the kids need to get out and run around. We all know that feeling, "should I take them to Sports Basement to run around"? "the mall"? Lots of families swim twice a week in the winter to make sure their kids are getting enough exercise. This in turn keeps their lungs strong through the winter....but that my friends is another post!

Introducing Myself! Liesl Taner

Hi Everyone,

I just want to let you all know that I will be taking over this blog. But after reading over my mom's (Lita Irene) posts, I hope I can have as much insight and knowledge pouring out of me. As you all know, La Petite Baleen (LPB) is a family business. My sister, Anya and I grew up teaching lessons and living in the pool (no joke, 5 hours a day!) I look forward to sharing stories of growing up, parenting, marriage, and faith.

I am happily married for almost 10 years and am the mother of 4 kiddos. Brooks 8, Channing 6, Vaughn 3, and Charis 1 (on Christmas Day!). I homeschool my older 2 kids as well as work part time at LPB teaching. I just LOVE teaching kids in the water! It's like a dance of love and understanding.

I'm going to keep this short. All 4 of my kids have had the H1N1 Flu this week as well as my bronchitis for the last 8 weeks. Healing is on my "to do" list. I want to have conversation with all of you who read this blog, a relationship. I love to hear your comments!

Parents' Bill of Rights

This is a continuation of my last article. When that new baby comes home we fall in love with the little miracle and want everything to be perfect. Sometimes we set ourselves up for difficult times when we are not reminded that we also must be "parents", those people who help shape the potential of a life. We also forget we have needs and that by having some boundaries, we teach healthy boundaries to our children by the only real way.....modelling it.

1. Even though you are a parent, you have rights.

You have a right to a good night's sleep.

3. You have the right to:
a.a clean house
b.cooperation and courtesy

4.Loving your child is no excuse for accepting rude,violent inconsiderate behavior.

5. Make sure that your rights are respected. You cannot expect others, even your children, to respect your rights if you do not.

Happy Birthday to my newest grandchild, Tanner Madrid Hall, born this Oct. 29 at 8:49 p.m. ( He is number six! )

From Tots to Teens

I've always thought and said that the toddler years are just a dress rehearsal for the "real thing": teenhood. So, together with your partner consider a solid policy of growing a child.

Here are "The Ten Beliefs" that are a quick ,healthy policy to follow. I used to give this to the parents of my high school students.

1.Family problems have roots and supports in the culture.

2.Parents are people too.

3.Parents' material and emotional resources are limited.

4.Parents and kids are not equal.

5.Blaming keeps people helpless.

6. Kids' behavior affects parents. Parents behavior affects kids.

7. Taking a stand precipitates a crisis.

8. From controlled crisis comes the possibility of positive change.

9. Families need to give and get support in their community in order to change.

The essence of family life is cooperation, not togetherness.

The next time I write I will give the rest of this material.

Hopefully, my newest grandson will be born by then. He will be my sixth grandchild. How fortunate am I?

Lita-Irene

Children and Movement

My God daughter Haley Cope Clark, 2004 Olympian and new owner of Water Sprites swim school in Chico, recently sent me some interesting information. She put her young son in a dance class called "Brain Dance". They have a great web site listing the benefits of their dance classes (www.creativedance.org).

It made me think about just some of the incredible benefits to swim lessons...

A baby's first breath starts brain connections and synapses immediately. Breath is the first and last thing we will do in our lives. Swimming creates the best opportunity to develop lung capacity and breath control.

Tactile stimulation in water is wonderful for babies. Skin is the largest organ in the body. Water lapping the the skin, especially in babies moving through water, creates the most development of synapses in the brain.

Swimming of course is not a land activity. Balancing and buoyancy in water takes more effort and yet, water gently cradles the body. Soft tissue is protected just like it was in the womb.

As babies become toddlers and movement patterns become more organized, water acts like soft resistance, increasing strength in a safe way. Skin is the largest organ in our body so movement in the water is "felt" by the brain in a big way.

Crawling is a profound skill for young children. The oppositional patterns help create brain connections across the mid-line of the brain. This is the very kind of action that allows children to read from left to right. Dog paddle combines the best support for mammals (children) for rhythmic, healthy breathing. People find they use dog paddle variations in recreation far more than strokes.

Immune systems are enhanced by exercise and deep breathing (we are a society of shallow breathers). Both are essential for the mind, body, spirit. Children with asthma are greatly helped by the deeper breathing of swimming.

Of course, safety is an imperative. Children who swim and whose family receives safety information, especially during "Summer Safety Week" at La Petite Baleen, respect the water more. Their information keeps them from unsafe curiosity. Note: This is not true for a small period of time for toddlers who just love to swim. They must be diligently watched since they are so mobile and lack any judgment.

And, we cannot forget a basic element that all children (and grandparents) relish.....FUN!!! Swimming allows for creative movement. Where else can you float, be upside-down, or splash?

ABC & D of Nurturing Your Kids

This Summer I went with my daughter Liesl and her family to Mt Hermon. While the kids all were having a blast with their counselors, we adults heard lectures. This one resonated with me and I wanted to share it with you.

There is a challenge of keeping the many areas of our kids' lives on the radar screen so that we can help guide them into becoming healthy adults in every possible way. Here is an easy way to remember the ABC & D approach to nurturing your kids.

A. Affirmation

An affirmed child is a secure and confident child. Most often, the difference between kids who make it and kids who don't is one caring adult. Even if you struggle with your teenager, believe in them! Most teens suffer from low self-esteem, and I almost always see this in cases where teens struggle with their parents. Kids with low self-esteem tend to become irresponsible. They make poor decisions socially, in regards to drugs and sexuality, and academically. Parents can make a huge difference in helping their teens to become responsible by affirming them, praising them and believing (even in the midst of struggle) in the person they can become.

B. Blameless Love

Kids are going to mess up at times--it's part of their 'job' description. When they do, they don't need to be condemned by their parents. Rather, they need to know they'll be loved and accepted (although they'll have to live with the consequences of their actions, of course!).

C. Connectedness

Kids need to feel connected to their parents. Your children regard your presence as a sign of caring and connectedness (even when they don't seem to do so!). You don't have to be present with your kids 24/7, but your presence gives them a greater sense of security than almost anything else you can offer them.

D. Discipline

Clearly expressed expectations and consistent follow-through produce responsible kids. The purpose of parental discipline is to teach responsibility. Unfortunately, for many of us parents, our primary objective is evoking obedience instead. And, to be perfectly honest, most of us try to do the "discipline thing" when we're upset, tired or frustrated....really in no shape to do so. Okay--where do we start? For one thing, recognize that good parenting involves training our children in the areas of choices and consequences. Keep that promise in mind when you are sticking to your strategy and you won't be disappointed.

When it comes to molding your childrens' lives through discipline, our kids need us always to show respect, even in the midst of tension. We can disagree with our children and still be able to communicate.

~~Jim Burns Ph.D~~

Swimming Aids Asthma Symtoms In Children, Study Finds

Research has shown that swimming aids asthma in children. The activity has been proven to be an effective non-pharmacological intervention for children and adolescents according to a study in " Respiration", published by Wiley-Blackwell.

" Unlike other sports, swimming is unlikely to provoke asthma attacks. In addition to improving asthma, swimming promotes normal physical and psychological development, such as increasing lung volume, developing good breathing techniques and improving general fitness, said lead author, Wang Jeng-Shing from the Taipei University.

He added," Not only is swimming an excellent form of exercise for children with asthma, the health benefits reaped continue to be observed for at least a year after the completion of the swimming program."

Wiley-Blackwell ( 2009, August 20 ) " Swimming Aids Asthma Symptoms In Children, Study Finds. Sciencedaily.

Quality Time....For Parents!

Here are several ways of making quality time for the marriage as well as helping children understand that Mom and Dad's relationship is numero uno. Single parents: These apply to you, too!

1. Don't allow children to interrupt your conversations. Make them wait their turn. preferably in another room. Say, "We'll let you know when we are finished talking." A child who simply "can't wait" probably needs five minutes of cool down time in his/her room.

2. Create a weekly "Parents' Night Out" and don't let anything except acts of God
interfere with the commitment. Every now and then, go off for a week end without the kids. They need to realize that the marriage is a separate and autonomous entity within the family with a life and needs of its own.

3. Put the children to bed early. Remember that your children's bedtime is for yor benefit. In other words, determine how much down time you need in the evening during which you have no child-rearing responsibilities and set bedtimes accordingly. Eight is late enough for pre-schoolers, and eight thirty for grade-school age. Older children should be in their rooms no later than nine, particularly on school nights.

Once the kids are in bed, reduce distractions that interfere with communication and intimacy. Agree not to do either housework or office work after the kids' bedtime. Spend this time getting back in touch with the feelings that led to your original commitment. The worst possible and least creative thing you can do is get in the habit of centering your time together in the evenings around television.

From: "The New Parent Power"..Dr John Rosemond

Homework!

When John and I started the swim school in 1979 we were both teaching public school. I had taken many child development classes in college too. So when we decided we would start our swim school, I already had a vision of something very different from anything else I had seen.

I had also carefully watched my three young babies swimming; I could see that other swim programs had "missed the boat" on how children learn. I grew up as a very young child with a swimming pool in the backyard, and four younger siblings that I was often responsible for. This all gave me a lot of strong ideas about children, water and learning.

In addition to the concept of an "aquatic classroom", other regular school institutions seemed to make sense to me. Homework was one of them. Children will repeat over and over a new skill and if it is fun and playful, all the better. I thought it was something parents and children could do together outside our 'classroom' to cement physical skills while enjoying each others company. A win-win scenario for sure!

Often our staff will give a homework suggestion if a child needs a boost. It's important to know that homework should be fun and companionable and any parent can look up homework suggestions on our website. The list includes ideas for each level of ribbon awards.



Some of these ideas can get your own creative juices flowing to make up more silly and fun games to stimulate swim skills. Being 'silly' with your child is a great way of staying young yourself, building bonds with your children.

Please ask deck staff if you don't understand the premise for these homework suggestions or, check in with deck staff if you have questions about your homework prowess. Doing the land exercises is good for your body too and I bet the kids love seeing you participate this way.

Have fun!

Lita-Irene

Cornucopia Kids

It is entirely possible to remain an affluent, achieving parent and avoid raising Cornucopia Kids, but it takes a little know-how. Here are seven of the most commonly encountered parental vulnerabilities that lead to loss of parental power and untimately, the inability to parent effectiviely:

Dynamic #1: Giving as a way to avoid confrontation or rejection.
Dynamic #2: Giving "things" as a substitute for time.
Dynamic #3: Giving as a response to marital conflict.
Dynamic #4: Giving as a compensation for childhood deprivation.
Dynamic #5: Giving to compensate for puritanical parenting.
Dynamic#6: Giving as a response to community image needs.
Dynamic #7: To give is easier than to deny.

Certainly not all kids who grow up in middle-class families will become Cornucopia Kids. In fact, effective parenting , combined with the opportunity afforded by relative affluence can be a very positive effect on childrens' life skills. At all ages, Cornucopia Kids exhibit a pattern of behavior characteristics that together define this very maladaptive style of relating to work, to others and to life in general. Here are ten signs to look for.

Characterisitic #1: Your child demands only the best.
Characterisitic #2: A high need for constant stimulation is present.
Characterisitc #3: There is a consistent pattern of incompletion.
Characterisitc #4: There is a deep need for acceptance by others.
Characterisitc #5: The capacity for compassion is underdeveloped.
Characterisitc #6: A clear contempt for material things.
Characterisitc #7: Self-indulgences and excess are behavior themes.
Characterisitc #8: You see an all-to-easy deceitfulness.
Characterisitc #9: Problems with performance.
Characterisitc #10: There is a strong 'present' orientation.

No matter what their age, now is the time to begin Mastery Motivation in all your children. Healthy parenting values are perhaps the strongest possible way to do that. Here are 10 suggestions to help you instill Mastery Motivation in your children.

Motivator #1: Give your child regular work responsibilities.
Motivator #2: Refrain from giving your child so many 'freebies'.
Motivator #3: Severely limit television viewing, especially any violence.
Motivator #4: Give your child sensitivity training.
Motivator #5: Insist on completion as a personal value.
Motivator #6: Help your child deal adaptively with failure.
Motivator #7: Legitimize personal values over conformity.
Motivator #8: Make your child personally accountable.
Motivator #9: Engage your child in cooperative projects.
Motivator #10: Create clear boundaries for work.

"Character is destiny." As a responsible parent, it is your mandate to instill integrity instead of indulgence; to create character, not conformity; to build motivation rather than materialism; to demand sensitivity in lieu of selfishness. Through that process, you will grow in wisdom and your child will grow in maturity.

Bruce Baldwin, " Giving Children Too Much May be Giving Too Little"

From The National Institutes of Health

Under the direction of the NIH, the National Institute of Child Health and Development, the findings concerning the debate on infant/child swim lessons in their update of March 2, 2009 were announced:

Providing very young children with swimming lessons appears to have a protective effect against drowning and does not increase childrens risk of drowning, reported researchers at the National Institutes of Health.

The researchers state that the findings should ease concerns among health professionals that giving swimming lessons to children from ages 1-4 years might indirectly increase drowning risk by making parents and caregivers less vigilant when children are near bodies of water.

"Swimming lessons are appropriate for consideration as part of a comprehensive drowning prevention strategy," said Duane Alexander, M.D., director of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), the NIH Institute at which the study was conducted. "Because even the best swimmers can drown, swimming lessons are only one component of a comprehensive drowning prevention strategy that should include pool fencing, adult supervision, and training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation."

The findings appear in the March Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine.



My comments: This is the first extensive study done. One day the researchers may also include the safety factor of "Summer Safety" that many swim schools have in their curriculum. La Petite Baleen was one of the first in the nation to have such a curriculum. Since we have known for decades that a child's brain is developed for gross motor skills from before birth to four years old, and the best window of opportunity to easily teach a child swimming is at this time. It is wonderful to see the two pieces of information coincide...finally! So often we have had amazing stories of our own students who have used their swim skills wisely to keep a situation from turning sad.

Happy Splashing,

Lita-Irene

How To REALLY Love A Child

Parenting is a huge slice of life: moments of joy, times of exhaustion, with everything else in between. All children follow a developmental journey that we need to understand and respect.

At La Petite Baleen we have a developmental curriculum, and it is a holistic view of children. Emotional growth is a major part of cognitive and physical growth. Some simple but elemental are incorporated so a child indeed develops all aspects of themselves in swim lessons.

Love and discipline are two sides of this coin. By creating boundaries (expectations of behavior while acknowledging feelings) your child becomes secure and happy. Knowing no matter how much he/she "loses it", we will always be a foundation and a secure haven to trust, while children explore, learn and grow in the right direction.

Children are not ready to be in charge of their choices. They are animals of action, not of adult words. The young brain is a huge ego and wants instant gratification on the outside. They need someone who can give directed, limited choices until they begin to show the ability to see how actions bring consequences. This starts happening around 7 years a of age.

Saying "NO" in a kind, firm way would be more loving than a reluctant yes or indecisive maybe. In practical terms, it is their job to test the limits while it is our job to guide them within limits. Following through with our words is crucial.

In the end, you will get through the teen years with much more grace...and end up being great adult friends.

Teaching Tools at La Petite Baleen

We see our swim school as an aquatic classroom. As former classroom teachers, Irene and John Kolbisen know it takes many kinds of tools and aids to help a child understand a new skill.

We were also serious swimmers and took many tools and materials from other arenas, to "capture the imagination" of different children in the water.

Some tools are classics and fins are a perfect example. They help to elongate a child's kick, they slightly overload the leg muscles which make them stronger. They especially help a child 'feel' how the water pushes or flows with a kick. We don't use fins as a crutch, and children gradually get stronger and we gradually take the fins away.

Interestingly, advanced strokes go back and use the fins again. The fins again speed up the learning process and we remove them when a student gets to a certain level of confidence and ability. World class and collegiate swimmers use fins all the time to keep variety and strength training in mind (just ask our daughters Liesl and Anya who swam at U of A and Cal).

Fins, as well as other aids are simply a small support system through out the learning process.

Often parents don't realize the benefits of goggles. Try this little exercise: stand on one leg with your eyes open. Then, close your eyes and feel the difference. Our eyes give us a lot of balance.When children use goggles they have about 60% MORE balance as they can see better underwater. Swimming has as much to do with balance and breath control than it does with kicking and paddling. Goggles help children to find their balance in the water while allowing them to "treasure hunt" at the same time!

We have nose clips for some children who initially sniff water. This is something we really watch for. Getting water in the sinuses is not fun. We use the clip so there is a positive learning curve, much sooner.

I think we are the only swim school in the nation that uses the 'motorboat'. I bought it for my three kids as a trampoline but, being kids, they tossed it into the pool. I watched how creative and FUN it was. I also realized that going from up to down often gives babies a good clue for anticipating a breath hold. So sit jumps and motorboat have always been a part of our curriculum.

Within the swim school world we are famous for having such a variety of toys, mirrors, magic carpets, etc. to engage children. It looks colorful out on that pool deck...and happy, just like our swimmers!

(Lita) Irene

Summer Fun with Swimming

Families that go on vacation around a river, lake, water park, sea shore, etc. may think their children will jump right in and are surprised when Red Ribbon Jack or even, Purple Ribbon Emma, do not show off their skills in this different water right away.

Take heart because there are simple, supportive ways for your tribe to quickly enjoy the long planned fun time.

Remember that children pick up on how this new water looks, feels and perhaps smells different. Maybe they can't see bottom, or it is cooler than they are used to. Crashing waves sound loud or try to get their toes. There may be currents that unsteady them or fish that they can see (I was a young swimmer but fish scared me...still do!)

Before arriving at your destination talk with the children about how the water will look and feel different from a swim lesson swimming pool. Find photos if possible so they have a visual. I remember taking our three kids to Russian River and sketching how the river turned, and how maybe the currents would give you a ride. We explained how to swim at an angle to flow with the water. They didn't need to go straight to shore, in exactly the spot they wanted. My daughter Liesl can tell you that story when she jumped out of our canoe at the age of 3!

Take the first 10 minutes after getting to the water to review what the children already know skill wise. The children, especially the younger ones, need time to assimilate all the stimuli. If you have been sensitive to their hesitation and they balk after a reasonable time, gently carry them or hold their hand firmly and get them one step further into the water, keeping a positive, playful voice and attitude.

Do the 10 minute review every day. You can ask for suggestions from your teacher or the deck support person too. They can give 'homework' for the kind of water you visit and skill levels of your kids (http://www.swimlpb.com/classes/homework.html).

Lastly, whatever water you are around, please assign someone to be the designated "water watcher". This means they have been given a tangible item (we use a bracelet of some kind) and it means they will not use a phone, engage in conversation, or be distracted in anyway. Their sole job is to keep watch over the little whales in the pool. We have used the bracelet idea for Disneyland too when the crowds are big and children can get lost in the shuffle.

Everyone enjoys the water much more when water skills are good and everyone is more relaxed when a safety system is in place. Now go out and have a wonderful swimming summer!

(Lita) Irene

Summer Reading

Some ‘old’ books are still good information. Here are a few ideas I have always appreciated because while times have changed, children are developmentally the same everywhere.

“Emotional Intelligence” by Daniel Goleman emphasizes that the happiest and most successful people are those who have the capacity to:

Ability to empathize

Capacity to delay gratification

Competence to contain or manage emotions

In one of my favorite authors of child-rearing, Dr. T Brazelton, observed that the difference between two outlooks (children who are confident and optimistic versus those who expect to fail) start to take shape in the first years of life. Dr Brazelton, says that ”parents need to help generate the confidence, the curiosity, the pleasure in learning and the UNDERSTANDING OF LIMITS (my caps) to help children succeed in life.

“Letters for Our Children”, edited by Erica Goode, gathered letters that adults wrote to children. These authors were parents, grandparents, step parents, friends and relatives. One in particular caught my attention........

“Dear Randy,

Soon you will leave home and go off to college. The successes that will come your way will be great fun. But the failures will be your most valuable lessons. How a person decides to handle failure has a great deal to do with everything else in his life. Some people deny that the failure was their fault. Refusing to accept consequences seems to be a national pastime.

You see Randy, successful people are successes because they know how to handle their failures. You must learn to handle failure too.

DON’T FLUNK FAILURE!

Your stepdad, Skipper”

Let’s help our children learn the same; face our fears, face our consequences and thrive .

Swimcerely, Irene

Eczema and Swimming?

Dear Parents,

I have long had a theory that chlorinated water actually helps rashes and skin irritations rather than make them worse. I recently came across this article that seems to support this theory, and wanted to share it with you in case your child suffers from eczema and you are hesitant to allow them to swim:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/28/health/research/28regi.html

Perhaps we have even more to learn about the many benefits of swim lessons!

Best "Fishes",

Irene

Welcome to "Whale Wisdom"!

The purpose of "Whale Wisdom is to share my 45 years of teaching children of all ages in the water. I often see parents confused but eager to help their children grow, learn and have wonderful experiences. Unfortunately, good intentions are misdirected when we try to have a child-based, NOT a family-based life.

Parents LOVE their children. Having a fair, secure and appropriate child development base is the best path for everyone; parents need support in creating this and I will share my observations with you. I have taught over 60,000 babies in my life (that is an accurate number!) and while times have changed, children have not. They need parents who have clarity, compassion and the sheer strength to follow through with timely discipline and consequently, enjoying their children even more.

Raising children is fun, tiring, creative, and much more. I will have some amazing stories, funny observations and commentary for you about La Petite Baleen as I go about my own days with the swim schools.

Happy Splashing,

Irene