Wonders of Water

The Wonders of Water
What swim lessons can do for your child

by April Ham

It's Monday afternoon at the Berkeley High indoor warm pool. The sounds of laughter and kids’ splashing rise into the steamy air, mingling with the soft sunlight filtering in through the high windows. Children of all shapes and sizes are busily exploring the water and swimming, each in their own way, with the support and guidance of instructors. Some are swimming on their backs, heads supported by an instructor's shoulder, kicking up whitewater as they zip along the surface of the pool. Others are practicing arm movements, maintaining their balance and posture as they pull against the water.

In the deep end of the pool, 14-year-old Bomun Ha is swimming strong, wearing goggles and a confident grin on his face. As he dives underwater with his equally goggled and grinning instructor, his mother, Young Ha, tells his story. Bomun, diagnosed with autism and epilepsy, has been swimming since he was 5 years old. His mother explains that the water is a "free medium" where he is constantly engaged and developing. Swimming has been a fun, effective, low-impact way for Bomun to strengthen his muscles, and, she adds, his nine years of lessons have made him feel successful and really raised his confidence. 

Bomun, along with the other children in the pool, is a member of SNAP, the Special Needs Aquatic Program.  Founded in 1991 by Dori Maxon, physical therapist and director of Pediatric Contracting Services, SNAP is a non-profit motor development program for children with a variety of abilities and disabilities. The goal of the non-competitive program, as Maxon explains it, is “to enhance each child's self-confidence, pride and independence while fostering physical, social and intellectual skills." Here are just some of the benefits offered by swim programs like SNAP:

1. Every Child Is a Swimmer!  
   Maxon stresses that aquatic activities can be beneficial—and enjoyable—for all kids, even if the activity may not look like a typical swim lesson.
2. A FUNdamental Skill 
   In addition to being the perfect summer activity, swimming provides children with life-saving skills. Even if your child won’t be swimming laps like Michael Phelps, knowing how to swim or just being familiar with the water is valuable and can open up a whole new world of activities.
3. It's Therapeutic 
   Swimming is also a fantastic way to build muscle density and improve respiratory fitness. Warmer pools, set at around 92°F, are especially beneficial for children with physical disabilities such as cerebral palsy, spina bifida, or arthritis because the water allows the body to engage a greater range of motion than on land. Maxon explains that swimming in warmer pools helps increase flexibility and circulation, and that the higher pressure of the water on the chest encourages the lungs to work a little harder. She adds that kids exercise their communication skills in the pool too.
4. H2O Bonds 
   Brothers Josh and Jeremy Friedman love the water, and both agree that their instructors are their favorite part of the program. They are diagnosed with quadriplegic spastic cerebral palsy, but that hasn't stopped these two from swimming with SNAP for the past eleven years. Jeremy has developed a special ten-year bond with instructor Liza Stalman, who has been volunteering with SNAP since her sophomore year of college. 
5. Aquatic Achievers 
   Maxon says the water is a great “equalizer,” a place in which kids with special needs can excel.  Nicole Nakamura, a research assistant at UCSF and a SNAP volunteer, says, "The growth I've seen in the kids is amazing. Even over the course of a few months, they have made great improvements in the water and have really opened up socially. I look forward to this every week!"
   

Shallow pools are a great place to get your little one started. Simply standing and playing in chest-level water helps children develop balance and get familiar with the water. Once he gets fairly comfy, encourage your child to try blowing bubbles. This gets kids used to having their faces in the water and teaches them to exhale while under. Ready for lessons? See our sidebar for more tips.

Ready for Lessons?
4 Things to Know and Look for

• Warm pools: Water heated to around 92°F is especially therapeutic for children with cerebral palsy, spina bifida, or arthritis because it encourages flexibility and circulation.
• One-to-one instruction: This allows instructors to tailor the lesson for your child's specific needs. Attending classes consistently with the same instructor also builds trust and friendships, which make any activity more fun and engaging.
• How to hold your child: For younger children or those with physical disabilities, Maxon recommends starting the child in the vertical position, as opposed to the typical horizontal one: "It's related to safety,” she explains, adding that it also aids circulation and “[stimulates] the neurological pathways for pre-walking and bilateral coordination, communication, focus and intent."
• Accessibility: Most public pools are ADA-accessible and offer ramps and wheelchair lifts to help swimmers in and out of the water.

Looking for Lessons?
These local spots offer special instruction for kids with special needs:

SAN FRANCISCO

Janet Pomeroy Center

415-665-4241

JanetPomeroy.org

Sava Pool

415-661-6327

La Petit Baleen

866-896.3603

SwimLPB.com

EAST BAY

American Swim Academy

800-810-SWIM

AmericanSwimAcademy.com

Downtown Berkeley YMCA

510-665-3215

BayMCA.org

Little Dipper Swim School

925-932-5861

LittleDipperSwimSchool.com

SAN JOSE

Joy of Swimming

408-968-8035

JoyofSwimming.com

DACA

408-446-5600

DACA.org

PENINSULA

Betty Wright Swim Center @ Abilities United

650-494-1480

AbilitiesUnited.org