First Flippers Lesson 5

Welcome Song in Little Harbor

Why: Buoyancy, Balance and Socialization!

How: Gather in a circle and have parents lengthen their arms to support their student to create the Little Harbor position. This position allows student to explore the feelings of buoyancy and balance with support.  Encourage parents to support as low in the water as possible so the student can learn to stabilize their position (parents may need to bend their knees slightly to achieve this). Parents and students are also free to splash their hands while singing along.  This reminds the parents, infants and toddlers that the water is everywhere and helps to acclimate them to that sensation. 

Song Lyrics: _______is here today __________is here today _________ let’s all splash the water __________ is here today!

Noodle Fountain

Why: Breath Control

How: Instruct parents to hold their little one under the arms and facing each other.  While they move in a circular pattern hold the noodle up against the jet to create a fountain for them to pass through. Train parents to walk slowly through the fountain and look for the natural reaction of the child when the water pours over their face. After a few cycles you should notice that the student is prepared and simply closes their eyes and mouth when under the water. Water washing from the back of the head to the front is always less intimidating.

Blast Off

Why: To gain comfort with Buoyancy and Balance on the front and back.

How: Instruct parents to support children on front and / or back with their feet against the wall. Count down 3 – 2 – 1 BLAST OFF!  Once there, students will flip to their front and / or back and glide or kick back to the wall. Placing a target alone the wall (such as a colored cone) can add extra incentive when kicking back! Practice this skill for several rounds on the front and several more on the back!

Belly Slide with Monkey Walk

Why: Breath Control, Submerging and Fun!

How: Set up props along the wall to keep the class moving. Use mirrors or toys for babies to look at as they are circling around and taking turns on the slide.  Allow parents to cue 1-2-3 and have them slide in head first. Head first sliding is a natural way for a young infant to explore breath control!

Back Float Under the Big Mirror

Why: To practice buoyancy and balance on the back.

How: Assist parents with supporting their children on their backs in the cheek-to-cheek position. Have them travel backward under the big mirror for several rounds to help students relax on their backs. Sing the song a few times to get students to relax on their backs.

Fishes in the Ocean

Why: Breath Control and Safety.

How: Students climb out at the edge of the pool, sit on the edge with their feet in the water and with or without parent’s assistance sing the song and fall in on cue.  FOR MORE ADVANCED STUDENTS; Encourage parents to submerge their child completely or to allow the to fall into the water independently and / or  add the turn around by having parents position themselves at the side of their children and assist them with falling in on cue, submerging and turning  to the wall.

Song Lyrics: Fishes in the ocean, Fishies in the Sea, we all fall in on 1-2-3!

Wheels on the Bus

Why: To end each class on a happy note!

How: Gather students and parents into a circle and pass out a small floating bus toy to each student. Ask the parents to match their actions to the lyrics of the song.

Song Lyrics:  The wheels on the bus go round and round, round and round, round and round, the wheel on the bus go round and round all through the pool! Repeat with the following lyrics:

      • Windows go up and down!
      • Wipers go Swish, Swish, Swish!
      • Doors go open and shut.
      • Horn goes beep, beep beep.
      • Babies Wave Bye Bye.

     

    PROPS