Spring 2004 - the YMCA of Greater Cleveland

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Ask THE EXPERT Summer Water Safety By Katie Laurich, Euclid Family YMCA Program Director Y Arts Day As the temperature outside continues to climb and the school year winds to a close, kids and families are gearing up for a summer of fun in the great outdoors.That means hundreds of families will head to local community pools, nearby beaches or backyard pools. The U.S. National Safety Council reports that drowning is the third leading cause of death among children under 5 years of age and the second leading cause of death among children ages 5-14. The YMCA of Greater Cleveland recommends several important precautionary measures to ensure safety around water: • Always supervise children. Never leave a child near the water alone for any reason. Children can drown in less than three inches of water. • Establish pool rules and enforce them. • Do not rely on inflatable toys and armbands.They have been known to have fast leaks and can deflate unexpectedly. • Swim or supervise swimming only when sober and not on any medication that may cause drowsiness. • Teach children never to go into any pool without adult supervision, even at the homes of friends and relatives. • Be prepared. Have close by a first aid kit and a long pole or reaching line. Keep emergency numbers handy and get trained in CPR and/or first aid. • Make sure all divers use caution. Never dive in if you can’t see the bottom or if the water depth is too shallow. • Never swim when lightening or thunder is present, even at an indoor facility. Pools and other large bodies of water attract lightening even when enclosed. • Make sure all pools in which your child swims are supervised by adults who know the rules, can swim and are prepared to handle emergencies. • Enroll your child in a swim lessons program so that he or she will know the basics when it comes to being safe in and around the water. As part of the national YMCA Arts Week 2004, the YMCA of Greater Cleveland will host a local arts event with Playhouse Square Center on Saturday, June 12. From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., children can attend fabulous workshops about movement, dance, acting, improvisation and creative art while their older siblings and parents take tours of the historic Playhouse Square Center theaters. The program is concluded with a family lunch sponsored by KFC. Please contact your local branch for details on how to register. During the week leading up to Y Arts Day, each of the YMCA of Greater Cleveland’s branches will display artwork designed by its before- and after-school child care programs. YMCA of Greater Cleveland Mission To promote the balanced development of spirit, mind and body and to put Christian principles into practice to strengthen families, neighborhoods and the Greater Cleveland community. YMCA of Greater Cleveland services are for people of all faiths, races, ages and incomes. Financial assistance is available for YMCA programs and membership.
IN THESpotlight Teaching Safety & Values By Katie Laurich, Euclid Family YMCA Program Director With the warmer weather approaching, it’s important that we take extra precaution to prepare our children for the fun days at the beach and pool. The YMCA of Greater Cleveland’s Y Swim Lessons is a great way to teach your children basic swimming and rescue skills, while learning the lifelong benefits of swimming.The YMCA strives to go beyond the basic swim lesson to focus on stroke development, personal safety, personal growth and water games. The programs are taught in a caring, student-centered environment with low student-to-teacher ratios. Lesson plans are designed around each child’s age and developmental abilities, with safety being the highest priority. Because children reach milestones quickly, they build selfconfidence and stay interested in swimming for longer time periods. Y Swim Lessons also promote family togetherness through Family Huddles, handouts designed to be completed by the swim lesson participant and his/her parent.The skills children learn in class are reinforced through these Family Huddle activities and other parent education materials. Unique to the YMCA, the programs also stress character values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility into every lesson.Through modeling and questioning, children are taught how to take these values beyond the pool and into their everyday lives. In the Cleveland area, boating safety has become an important part of Y Swim Lessons as more people are heading out to Lake Erie each summer. The program strives to teach the community the necessary boating safety knowledge in conjunction with swimming. The YMCA of Greater Cleveland provides a safe, fun and organized environment where infants, children and adults can learn to swim year round.Visit your local branch for more information. Did You Know? The YMCA first began teaching children how to swim in the early 1900s when it became troubled by the increasing number of drownings in the nation. In 1908 alone, more than 3,300 people died from drowning. Spearheaded by Dr. George Fisher, head of YMCA Physical Work, the YMCA launched an ambitious campaign to “teach every man and boy in America” to swim. Over the last century, the YMCA’s aquatics programs have continued to grow and evolve and today the YMCA is considered one of the premier places for children to learn aquatic skills. Y Swim Lessons are one of our most popular programs and offer a variety of educational opportunities beyond just getting into the water. Y Swim Classes Infant (6 mos.-3 yrs. with parent) Water orientation class that provides activities that prepare a child to move well, improve strength, flexibility, coordination, and selfconfidence in the water. Preschool (Ages 3-5 yrs.) Pike, Eel, Ray, Starfish This program safely introduces younger children to the water. Each level builds upon the preceding skill level to introduce the basic movements of swimming. School Age (6-12 yrs.) Polliwog, Guppy, Minnow, Fish, Flying Fish, Shark, Porpoise This program comprises five main components: personal growth, personal safety, stroke development, water sports and games, and rescue. Each skill level builds upon the preceding skill level covering all of the fundamentals. Teen/Adult (13+ yrs.) Non-swimmers are taught basic swimming skills and water safety. Participation in Y Swim Lessons offers an unparalleled sense of well-being and a relaxing environment for safe exercise, physical therapy and play. Link for more information and to sign up for classes or services, call (216) 566-YMCA
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Spring 2004 - the YMCA of Greater Cleveland

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