Kids Alive - Do the Five!

	In 1998, Laurie "borrowed" Lucy from Commonwealth Games medallist and former Olympian Angela Harris to spread the water-wise word around. Then Laurie recruited Lucy's new born baby sister, Georgina.
	In the Georgina Grace Story, parents, grandparents, swimming teachers, and interested parties are able to see Georgina Grace's physical growth and development and be able to share Laurie Lawrence's expert knowledge and experience on baby swimming. Read on and you will receive valuable tips on how to teach your baby to swim. In teaching a child to swim, parents are able to experience the pure joy encountered in the process as well as having the opportunity to bond closely with them. For this reason it is vital that both parents be involved in initial bath time routines! Don't miss any part of your child's development. I hope you join us on this journey. It may help save your child's life.

	Georgina Grace Harris
	Georgina Grace's world moved very slowly. She was even two weeks late arriving, and, after being induced, she decided she'd do a tumble turn and have one last swim in that beautiful watery environment. This resulted in a caesarean birth for her mother, Australian Olympic Swimming representative, Angela Harris nee Russell. This unusual late entry into the world did not stop Georgina Grace from enjoying her first swim in the hospital immediately on arrival. Before we share Georgina Grace's first swimming lesson, meet the family Dad Garry, big sisters Jessica and Lucy and mum Angela. Jessica was the first of the Harris children to be involved in the "Kids Alive" program. She, her mother Angela, Siobohn Jackson, and her baby Lucy teamed up to be the first travelling water-babies to heighten the toddler drowning issue.

When government funding was rescinded because of the dramatic downturn in toddler drownings Laurie stopped the program. A quick glance at the drowning statistics showed Australians didn't remember the message. The program started again using Angela's sister's boy Joshia and the results were almost immediate with a downtrend in the drownings.

Jessica's sister Lucy kept the travelling water-baby tradition alive by taking over from cousin Joshia. A report on her trip appears in the McDonalds" Challenge pages.

Left: Jessica and Georgina Grace: Big Sisters Love Babies

It is normal for the mother to take major responsibility for the care of the child as she breast feeds the baby. However, it is very important to involve the father with the newborn immediately so that he does not feel neglected and close bonds will be developed early between father and child. His involvement can also be of tremendous assistance to his partner.

The father should hold the child against his skin so that the baby can become associated with his distinctive smell. Touch, sight, smell, and sound are good ways to bond with your baby. If the father speaks or sings to the baby, the baby will become familiar with the father's voice and over a period of weeks will learn to associate voice, smell, touch and sight with comfort and reassurance.
Right: Dad Garry and Sister Lucy- Dad's Play a very important part too!

First Lessons

Now let's share the experience of Georgina Grace's first swimming lesson. Laurie goes out and buys the right size swimming pool at this stage Georgina grace is just one week old so the small bath is just perfect.

The sooner your baby learns to swim the better. Babies originate from the watery environment of the mother's womb, and so arrive in the world inhibition free and without any inbuilt fears of water.

At this stage babies have not been pre-conditioned to fear water, therefore the introduction to an external water experience, will, if patiently and lovingly conducted represent a pleasant and natural experience for your child.

The normal bath time routine becomes an integral part of the swimming experience. It is preparing your baby for submersion when you take him/her to the big pool. This is often very daunting for first time parents.

Communication and fun with the child are two major ingredients in the learn-to-swim process and these remain vitally important when bathing your baby. Your child will understand you long before it can verbalize so make sure you talk sing or croon to your baby at bath time.

Left - Georgina Grace lies back completely at home in her special little bath.

Massage is another powerful tool for parental bonding, which we will discuss later.

Please Read On for Georgina Grace - Tips to Remember & Preconditioning for Submersion ->>.

Kids Alive is a community service program