THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, August 11, 1996 TAG: 9608090027
SECTION: COMMENTARY PAGE: J4 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: 38 lines
In ``Terror is the wrong lesson to teach'' (letter, July 12) Myrna Carlson, responding to the article about Infant Swimming Research, noted that infants should not be traumatized in learning to swim. I agree. She noted that swimming does not replace parental judgment and supervision. I agree. She insinuated that the lessons of Infant Swimming Research traumatize children. I disagree.
I witnessed my 22-month-old daughter, who had recently completed the training, fall into the water with sweats, winter coat, diaper and shoes, float on her back to rest and breath, swim to the wall and hang on until lifted to the side of the pool. She did not cry, and smiled at the encouragement and praise that she received. When recently visiting the Virginia Marine Science Museum, she vigorously attempted to swim with the rays. This is not a child traumatized by swimming lessons.
Yes, she cried during many of her lessons. She was mastering new skills and stretching her abilities. She also cries when being put to bed at night. That is not something she wants to do either. During all of the lessons, my daughter received constant praise and encouragement. I never saw any behavior which indicated trauma.
There are many infant swimming programs. Some are based upon scientific principles, some are not. It is sad that Infant Swimming Research's program, which was developed by a clinical psychologist over the past 30 years, was not available for Ms. Carlson. Perhaps she would not have been traumatized.
As for my daughter, in the event that supervision and safety barriers fail, we have provided an extra line of defense that we would not have obtained through a comfy, cozy swim program. These lessons provide her with survival skills to help see her safely through the toddler years until she is old enough to participate in recreational swimming lessons.
SUSAN R. DANIELS
Norfolk, July 20, 1996 by CNB