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HOW TO TEACH YOUR BABY TO SWIM by Claire Timmermans

HOW TO TEACH YOUR BABY TO SWIM

By

Pub Date: June 1st, 1975
Publisher: Stein & Day

In spite of recent controversy about the wisdom of instructing babes and tots in the infant version of ""swimming,"" articles and books on the subject (from Virginia Newman's in 1967, to Bonnie Prudden's in 1974) are still attracting parents, most of whom are concerned about water safety, particularly in unguarded home pools. This guide by an Australian mother of two is one of the calmest, though modest in scope. To make a baby feel happy while in the water is one of her prime goals, and she emphasizes throughout close supervision and rapport between parent and child--if the baby shows the slightest discomfort, stop the lesson. Step-by-step procedures, illustrated with photographs, utilize signals for training based on automatic response (blow hard in the baby's lace before he goes under--he will naturally close his eyes and hold his breath) and the all-important gentle, loving presence of the parent. With all the variables--attitudes of adult and child, chlorine content of pool, etc.,--a good basic manual in baby flotation.