Swimming is not only therapeutic and fun but also develops coordination, self-confidence and positive image in both young and old
theSun, Tue, 23 Nov 2010
I LIKE swimming. I find being in the water and moving around in it rather therapeutic. It is also a good form of physical activity for everyone regardless of age.
Swimming gives our body a total low impact workout. It trains our breathing and strengthens our heart and lungs. It helps build flexibility and stamina, and is suitable for not only the healthy but also those with health problems.
Swimming or water activities are used in various treatments for physical, mental and developmental therapy. Water supports body weight, and with proper flotation devices, adults and children with disabilities, such as those with cerebral palsy, amputees, the visually-impaired or wheelchair-bound, can exercise in the water.
Because there is no hard impact on the joints, swimming is a suitable choice for those recovering from stroke or arthritis.
Teaching dyslexic children to swim also helps them read and write normally because swimming is an ambidextrous activity which helps to balance the brain hemispheres.
Most children have a natural affinity to water. They enjoy playing in it. Infants will kick and get excited when you give them a bath while preschoolers will simply find every chance to get wet or plead to stay longer in the tub.
Any age is a great age for the opportunity for you to introduce your child to swimming. It is also good for children and adults alike to learn water safety skills that they will need for the future.
Besides strengthening heart and lungs, providing aerobic exercise, toning muscles, enhancing blood circulation and immunity, swimming also develops coordination, concentration, self-confidence and positive self-image.
If taken up as a competitive sport, swimming like any other sport, can build confidence, self-esteem, positive attitude and team spirit.
According to Kids Exercise (www.kidsexercise.co.uk), "overweight kids who don’t enjoy many games may find swimming to be a pleasure; movement in the water may be easier, making fitness fun for even those who have shied away from other forms of exercise".
Taking it a step further, I believe it is only a matter of time that, with the exercise these overweight children are getting from swimming, they will soon lose some weight and have better self-image.
They can also become more confident discovering that they can do what other children can, albeit in the water for starters.
The website also mentioned that children who take part in early swimming programmes are often thought to be happier and healthier. "Research has shown that early swimmers perform better on tests measuring social, academic, motor and personality developments."
Whether you choose to take up swimming to burn calories, lose weight, as a form of therapy or for leisure and recreation, swimming is beneficial in many aspects. It can be a fun social activity too as it allows you to spend time as a family to strengthen relationships and bonds between you and your children.
And on hot days, swimming is a great way to cool down without resorting to the air conditioner, thereby, reducing your carbon footprint without getting all sweaty to boot.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Back to Basics
theSun, Tues, 9 Nov 2010
My daughter’s current ambition is to be a singer-cum-guitarist in a rock band, so she asked for singing and guitar lessons. At age four, she was totally enamoured with the drums and pestered us for drum lessons. Once, she was fascinated with some children’s artwork displayed outside an art school so she requested for art lessons. Then, there were requests for dance, piano and kung fu classes. To cut the story short, there have been many other instances of such requests along the way.
As a parent, I am pleased that she has the desire and curiosity to want to learn new things. But it is also a challenge to juggle the benefits of allowing her to explore and learn, with her ability to focus and be committed to each activity. And not to mention determining which she could have since time and money were important considerations in these pursuits.
Other parents lament that their kids are not interested in anything besides their toys, games and the television, and that they have to coax and find ways to get them interested. Being on either side of the extreme is neither good nor bad. It is just a matter of keeping perspectives right.
Often times, especially in our current competitive world, we are pressured to want our children to do well in everything they pursue. We tend to compare our child’s performance with others.
While we love our children and want the best for them, we sometimes inadvertently push them a little too much, and even unknowingly try to live out our lives through them. Because we ourselves had desired to be a doctor but did not make it somehow, we want our child to study medicine for example.
Children should be given the freedom to explore, find their passion and develop their individual talents. A child is a unique individual and therefore cannot be compared with any other child, not even his or her twin.
Paul Zucker, author of parenting book "Loving Our Children, Loving Ourselves - How We Achieve Our Mutual Happiness And Fulfillment" said, “Our responsibility as parents is to allow our children to discover and express their uniqueness, combination of intelligence, talents, and abilities. If we believe they are unique and thus gifted, different and special, then we know we don't have to impose our desires on them. We also know that all children are special, because they are all unique, so we give up making it a competition. Other parent's children can do what they do, and our kids can do what they do and there is room for everyone; their kids can't do what ours can in some way and vice versa.
We allow children to discover and express their uniqueness by not imposing specific outcomes. In other words, we do not make them play a sport or instrument, dance, learn to cook, ride a bike, go water skiing, learn a hobby, if they are not willing and enthusiastic. Our job as parents is to provide opportunities for our children to explore, try, and experience life.”
That’s a good reminder. We need to free our children from the pressure and conflict within themselves created by our plans and desires for them. Give your children the opportunity to experience many things. They will eventually discover their passion, talent and abilities, and excel.
My daughter’s current ambition is to be a singer-cum-guitarist in a rock band, so she asked for singing and guitar lessons. At age four, she was totally enamoured with the drums and pestered us for drum lessons. Once, she was fascinated with some children’s artwork displayed outside an art school so she requested for art lessons. Then, there were requests for dance, piano and kung fu classes. To cut the story short, there have been many other instances of such requests along the way.
As a parent, I am pleased that she has the desire and curiosity to want to learn new things. But it is also a challenge to juggle the benefits of allowing her to explore and learn, with her ability to focus and be committed to each activity. And not to mention determining which she could have since time and money were important considerations in these pursuits.
Other parents lament that their kids are not interested in anything besides their toys, games and the television, and that they have to coax and find ways to get them interested. Being on either side of the extreme is neither good nor bad. It is just a matter of keeping perspectives right.
Often times, especially in our current competitive world, we are pressured to want our children to do well in everything they pursue. We tend to compare our child’s performance with others.
While we love our children and want the best for them, we sometimes inadvertently push them a little too much, and even unknowingly try to live out our lives through them. Because we ourselves had desired to be a doctor but did not make it somehow, we want our child to study medicine for example.
Children should be given the freedom to explore, find their passion and develop their individual talents. A child is a unique individual and therefore cannot be compared with any other child, not even his or her twin.
Paul Zucker, author of parenting book "Loving Our Children, Loving Ourselves - How We Achieve Our Mutual Happiness And Fulfillment" said, “Our responsibility as parents is to allow our children to discover and express their uniqueness, combination of intelligence, talents, and abilities. If we believe they are unique and thus gifted, different and special, then we know we don't have to impose our desires on them. We also know that all children are special, because they are all unique, so we give up making it a competition. Other parent's children can do what they do, and our kids can do what they do and there is room for everyone; their kids can't do what ours can in some way and vice versa.
We allow children to discover and express their uniqueness by not imposing specific outcomes. In other words, we do not make them play a sport or instrument, dance, learn to cook, ride a bike, go water skiing, learn a hobby, if they are not willing and enthusiastic. Our job as parents is to provide opportunities for our children to explore, try, and experience life.”
That’s a good reminder. We need to free our children from the pressure and conflict within themselves created by our plans and desires for them. Give your children the opportunity to experience many things. They will eventually discover their passion, talent and abilities, and excel.
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