Babies Are Learning To Swim Before They Can Crawl... And It's Brilliant
June 14, 2014
You must learn to crawl before you can learn to walk, but what about swim?
Credit: Seth Casteel for The New York Times
But this isn't what you think. It's for survival...
Credit: Seth Casteel for The New York Times
It's a program called "self-rescue," in which babies are taught to hold their breath underwater, kick their feet, turn over to float on their backs and rest until help arrives.
Credit: Seth Casteel for The New York Times
The technique was pioneered in the late '60s by Harvey Barnett, who at 18 became determined to teach infants to swim after the drowning of a neighbor's child.
Credit: Seth Casteel for The New York Times
"It gives the baby the best possible chance," he says.
Credit: Seth Casteel for The New York Times
His methods have spread around the world.
Credit: Seth Casteel for The New York Times
Over 300,000 babies have participated in this infant-swimming program and it is growing...
Credit: Seth Casteel for The New York Times
And the lessons also provide an opportunity for adorable photo shoots.
Credit: Seth Casteel for The New York Times
Via New York Times
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