News of Interest for Moms April 13, 2009

News to know:

Swimming lessons for very young children reduces risk of drowning

Swimming lessons for very young children can reduce the risk of drowning, according to a study published in Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine.

Researchers hope the findings will ease pediatricians' concerns that swimming lessons for children ages 1 to 4 increases their drowning risk. Some doctors fear parents will be less vigilant when children are near the water and that early swimming lessons will decrease children's natural - and healthy - fear of the water.

Drowning is the second-leading cause of death of infants and young children in the United States, with roughly 4,000 dying each year.

The American Academy of Pediatrics' website states: Children are generally not developmentally ready for formal swimming lessons until after their fourth birthday. Also, swimming lessons for infants and toddlers do not necessarily make them safer in or around the water and are not a recommended means of drowning prevention at these ages.


Standardized testing tips

My daughter finished her standardized testing last week. For those of you parents still staring down the process with your kiddos, here are some tips for helping your child get ready for the standardized tests in any state.

Vermont considers legalizing teen "sexting"

The Vermont Legislature is considering a bill that would legalize "sexting" between teenagers--exchanging explicit photos and videos via cell phones.

Under current laws,teens can be charged with child pornography. Lawwmakers are considering a bill to legalize the consensual exchange of graphic images between two people 13 to 18 years old. Passing along such images to others would remain a crime.