SWIMMING (5 YRS OLD)

Momma is very impressed with S's progress in swimming from her lessons that she just started. She rarely dog paddles anymore since S kicks well and comfortably (now -- as compared to the beginning of summer). She still struggles to combine arms and legs (but that's a big feat). She does a beautiful dolphin kick and loves gliding/kicking off the side and is a good diver. She's not afraid of deep water and diving for toys.

She's comfortable with sticking her head in the water but is learning to turn her head to the side to suck in air. Often, she stops swimming to stick her head up to breathe. Momma is trying to encourage her to swim sideways. Momma is so amazed what two lessons have done, plus the addition of having peer pressure.

S originally didn't want to take swimming lessons and asked momma if she could teach her to swim. After a couple of lessons and a couple moments of frustration, momma decided that getting lessons would probably save the strain on the mother-daughter relationship. Momma now just concentrates on having fun in the pool.