Lana Whitehead

     Lana Whitehead has owned and operated SWIMkids USA for over 37 years. Her swimming program is the result of Lana's Master's thesis which included four research projects tested and researched at Arizona State University. Lana has authored several swimming books, articles, videos, and has lectured nationally for professional educational forums. Her method has been featured on Good Morning America, That’s Incredible, Disney’s Epcot Magazine, Montel Williams Show, PM Magazine and Omni’s Medical Documentary.

     Ms. Whitehead received a BA in Exercise Physiology and a Masters in Special Education, specializing in Sensory Integration and training children with disabilities, including signing to the deaf. She holds Arizona and California Teaching Certificates and is a member of the American College of Sports Medicine. She is also certified in American Red Cross WSI, Lifesaving, CPR and First Aid for the Professional Rescuer and YMCA Adaptive Swimming Instruction.

     Lana has been involved in competitive swimming as a coach, State and National USA Swimming Official. She and her team continually strive to meet higher standards in the industry by attending numerous training workshops and seminars at the U.S. Olympic Training Center, United States Swim School Association and the World Aquatic Baby Congress.

OBJECTIVES: The Hidden Power of Movement

Movement and Learning

• The Brain’s Sleeping Giant
• Movement and Learning Interplay
• Exercise Increases Memory and Learning in Animals and Humans
• Critical Early Movement
• The Bridge Between Sensory/Motor Development and Intellect
• Teaching Children How to Learn
• Success in School

Swimming Facilitates a Child’s Sensory Integration

• Sensory Stimulation of the Water
• Vestibular System Plays a Key Role in School Readiness
• The Tactile Power of Water
• Movement Improves Communication Between Hemispheres

Emotional Advantages of Movement in Water

• Freedom of Water Movement
• Tactile Parent/Infant Bond in Water
• Building Self-Esteem in Swim Class
• Social Interaction in Swim Class
• Music in Swim Class Grows Neural Connections
• SWIMkids USA Songs

Early Water Stimulation

• Water Safety
• When to Begin Swim Lessons
• Early Water Stimulation Research
• Earlier Is Usually Better
• Why Do Some Children Cry?
• Why Swim Year Round?

How to Prepare Your Child for Swim Lessons

• Bath Time Is Fun
• Developing Breath Control Prior to Submersion
• Back Floating in the Bath
• Helping Your Child Understand Buoyancy

Teaching Swimming Basics

• Ideal Environment
• Tips for Learning
• Safety Tips
• Motivating The Child To Learn

Teaching Water Safety Skills

• Introduction to Submersion
• Submersion to the Pool Steps
• Safety at the Wall and Steps
• Submerge and Glide to the Wall
• Introductory Back Float
• Horizontal Back Float
• Tap-Tap into Floating
• Back Float Stroking
• Swim-Float Sequence