| Author |
Message |
Jess Fuller (Parent002)
New member
Username: Parent002
Post Number: 1
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, August 28, 2005 - 6:35 pm: |       |
my child's p.e. class has mandatory swimming, I would like to take him out because he is deathly afraid of swimming. i went to his schedule councilor and she told me that they would rather him take the class. what should I do?
thanks for your time. |
Christine Nenstiel (Cnenstiel)
Junior Member
Username: Cnenstiel
Post Number: 3
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Monday, August 29, 2005 - 5:36 am: | |
Hi Jess!
I can certainly understand why you would be a little apprehensive about scheduling him for swimming, especially if he is very afraid to swim. Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I gather then, that he does not know how to swim.
As a PE instructor, and also a department leader, I encounter this problem often. Our rationale for requiring swimming is that every PE class in our school (including electives) has a swimming unit. Therefore, we feel it is extremely important that we know students have the fundamentals necessary to make it through the unit.
Many students are afraid to take the course if they do not know how to swim, and they fear the reaction of other classmates as well as the teacher. We take them through the Red Cross levels and teach them how to swim. Many classmates are very supportive, and they work together, making a potentially scary situation a rather rewarding one for the student.
Upon speaking to the parents, I often ask to talk to the child in an attempt to ease their fear about the program, etc. I have had student leaders meet with the apprehensive students and take them to the pool to see it, talk with them about their past experiences, and foster a mentoring relationship.
If you're really unsure of the situation, call one of the PE instructors. They know their program best and would be able to tell you what you need to know in order to make the best decision for your student.
Good luck, and have a great school year.
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Paula Summit (Summit5)
Member
Username: Summit5
Post Number: 31
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Monday, August 29, 2005 - 9:39 am: | |
Hi Jess,
Your child being deathly afraid of swimming is exactly why he should take swimming.
My elementary school used to take our students to the high school pool for 4 swimming classes. There were students who were unable to swim, but learned how to be more comfortable around water and learned the skills that could help save them if they ever needed to use them. Some of them did not actually perform the skills, but they did see them being taught and used. Other students were very supportive of non swimming students and would often offer to be their buddy helper.
The other interestiing observation I had when taking the students to the pool, was that many students were comfortable in the water because of back yard pools, but did not have swimming skills or swimming survival skills.
I would suggest you speak to the teachers who will be working with your child and express your concerns and fears.
And most importantly, try to be positively supportive of your child taking swimming! Check with him on swimming days and try to positively reinforce his progress. |
Mikkael
Unregistered guest
| | Posted on Monday, October 03, 2005 - 8:22 pm: | |
You could move to mother Russia. Here in Russia (I live in siberia near coast of "arctic ocean" as you call it in Amerika) it is impossible to keeping swimming pool because weather is too cold here. Pool would freeze and there is no physical education either but otherwise good government funded school system. |
Amy Ott 7th Grade Girl's Physical Education
Unregistered guest
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 12, 2005 - 9:59 am: | |
Hi Jess
I know that all the others are telling you to make him swim, but I have seen one of my girl's that was afraid of swimming attempt to get in the water after being forced(for her grade). She was shaking like she was going to have a nervous breakdown. Her mother came to me the next day and asked if there was an alternative assignment for her so that she wouldn't have her grade lowered. In this instance, because I seen how the girl reacted, as much as I wanted her to learn how to swim it wasn't going to happen, because she was so nervous about it, it worried me. Just a suggestion for the teacher I gave my student a packet that had swimming scenarios in it and what the child would do if they were in that situation. It was interesting to read what she came up with being as though she never could help because she was so afraid of the water. |
Mandy Fisher
Unregistered guest
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 18, 2005 - 4:26 am: | |
Jess,
I think it is very important for your child to learn how to swim and the earlier the better. I use to teach swimming K-12 in a district and there were many of my students who were very afraid of the water just like your son. Alot of the suggestions given were great. I had a teaching assistant who would work one-on -one with some students and many of my other students were always willing to help as well. It may take awhile for your son to get over his fear but be patient and supportive. It may also help to use community resources (YMCA swim lessons). Swimming is definately not an activity you learn in a few Phys Ed classes, it takes alot of time and practice!Most importantly, you never know when your son will be faced with a water emergency; it is important that he knows how to swim to help himself or others.
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D Peter Birkett (Dpb1)
Junior Member
Username: Dpb1
Post Number: 2
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 26, 2005 - 6:19 pm: | |
The American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend teaching very young children to swim. It is uncertain whether, at a community level, knowing how to swim decreases risk of drowning.
In one study in Holland those who learned to swim before the age of 12 doubled their risk of melanoma.
References
American Academy of Pediatrics Policy Statement (2000) Smimming programs for infants and toddlers. Pediatrics 105: 868-870
Editorial (2003) Prevention of drowning. Pediatrics 112: 440-445
Brenner RA, Saleja G and Smith GS (2003)Swimming lessons, swimming ability and the risk of drowning. Injury Control and Safety Promotion10: 211-215
Nelemann PJ, Rampen FH, Groenendal H, Kiemeney LA, Ruiter DJ and Verbeek AL (1994) Swimming and the risk of cutaneous melanoma. J Melanoma Res 4: 281-286
D Peter Birkett MD
2 Copeland Drive Suffern New York 10901
Telephone 845-357-8088 Fax 845-357-8099 Email dpb1@columbia.edu
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Paula Summit (Summit5)
Moderator
Username: Summit5
Post Number: 3
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Friday, October 28, 2005 - 9:57 am: | |
So what are recommending, Dr. Birkett? Are you a pediatrician?
What causes the melanoma? Exposure to water? |
D Peter Birkett (Dpb1)
Junior Member
Username: Dpb1
Post Number: 3
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Friday, October 28, 2005 - 4:39 pm: | |
The recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics related to teaching swimming to toddlers and babies. They were against it. I wasn’t making any recommendations myself.
It is usually considered, from the epidemiological data, that exposure of the body to sunlight is a main causative factor in melanoma. That could explain the link with swimming. Nelemann et al, in the paper cited, suggest that chlorine in swimming pools is a factor, but this is not generally accepted.
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Jeremy Forosisky
Unregistered guest
| | Posted on Thursday, November 03, 2005 - 11:55 am: | |
I think your child should stay in the swimming course. It is good to learn new skills, especially one as important as being in the water. On a personal note here, my grandmother never learned how to swim as a child and to this day she will go near water except while bathing. Once your child gets comfortable in the pool he will be fine. |
Robin Tocco
Unregistered guest
| | Posted on Sunday, February 19, 2006 - 4:29 pm: | |
I am a Physical Education teacher who has taught swimming to people from ages 3-30 and I am a Special Olympics swim coach. I have instructed many people that began swim lessons petrified of the water. One of my students would not put his face in the water up to his nose when we began. With a student like this it is best to get him/her private swim lessons. The instructor can slowly get them use to the water, possible using a lifejacket at first. Maybe the PE teacher would even be nice enough to instruct the student after school. Without any swim instruction a student is missing out on a lifelong physical activity, a recreational opportunity with friends, and they may never feel safe going in a boat on the water. I would try everything to get your child to swim. If they just cant get over the fear, after doing everything that you can, than the PE teacher should think of an alternative assessment. |
Amanda Rene Stoupis (Ars0010)
Junior Member
Username: Ars0010
Post Number: 6
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Friday, March 31, 2006 - 5:06 pm: | |
Hi Jess,
I am a physical education major, aquatics minor, at SRU, and I totally understand where you are coming from. It may seem like the best thing for him would be to take him out of swimming while he's young because he is terrified, but he will overcome his fear if his instructor is good! A good instructor would pay attention to him, soothe his fears, but push ever so slightly just to encourage him. He will be so much better off in life knowing how to swim, and maybe some day saving someone who is in need. Private swim lessons could be a better option, since one on one will give your son a better chance of trusting the instructor. Learning how to swim is a process, but once he is comfortable in the water and able to swim, I'm sure he will love it. Hope this helped! |
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