WELCOME everyone! Enter the Pool and Gather in a Circle. Greet each adult/child pair and take time to allow babies and caregivers to adjust to the water. Introduce yourself, talk about what an amazing journey this will be with the caregiver and the baby. Demonstrate the Little Harbor Hold. Caregivers lengthen their arms to support their student under the armpits. Allow babies to explore the feelings of buoyancy and balance with support and you encourage caregivers to support as low in the water as possible so babies can learn to stabilize themselves (parents may need to bend their knees slightly to achieve this).
Welcome Song in Little Harbor. Gather parents into a circle and Talk To The Group. Ask the group if they have any questions about having their babies in the water and what they are most excited to gain from the class! Sway back and forth in little harbor while parents and infants get adjusted and relaxed. Next, sing the song and encourage the Parents to sing and splash along.
Noodle Fountain in Front Support. Have parents walk backward under the noodle fountain so that they can see the facial cues of their baby while the fountain lightly washes over them. While they move in a circular pattern hold the noodle up against the jet to create a fountain for them to pass under. Coach parents with walking slowly under the fountain and looking for the natural reaction of their baby as 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. Be sure to move the fountain around and wash the water from the back of the head to the front as it is less intimidating. FOR MORE ADVANCED STUDENTS; Encourage parents to submerge their student while moving under the fountain. If students are able to monkey walk (independently or with assistance, they can do so to the fountain).
Hoop Swims. Encourage parents to support the child under the arms while facing the parent with the hoop in between the two of you. Be sure the cue the student and gently submerge. Release the student to allow them to feel buoyancy after they have submerged on the way to the parent. FOR MORE ADVANCED STUDENTS; Assist babies with rolling over and maintaining a back float.
Noodle Boat Exploration. Have the parent place the student into the noodle boats facing the ring then gently tighten the ring. Be sure the student is positioned so that the noodle is at their armpits and their back is against the curve of the noodle. This keeps the student low in the water and creates a better feeling of balance and results in the student being more comfortable in the noodle boat.
FOR FIRST FLIPPERS STUDENTS; You may need to place a round ball under their chin to support the head and prevent their face from drinking the water, also, be sure to tighten the noodle appropriately.
FOR MORE ADVANCED STUDENTS; Encourage parents to lessen or remove their support of the noodle to allow students to feel buoyancy and balance while being less supported.
Back Float under the Bridge. Encourage parents to support their children on their backs and tip toe around the pool in a circle. Use a large cup to sprinkle water through the holes in the mat and onto the baby’s toes as they pass through. Be mindful of not pouring water onto the parent.
Fishes in the Ocean. Parents support babies in a seated position on the edge of the pool. Explain to parents that if that now is the chance to submerge gently under their water after the three count. Note; When babies are first learning to submerge it is appropriate to take them under the water for up to 3 seconds and the maximum number of submersions per class is 6.
Wheels on the Bus. Gather students and parents into a circle and float some toys in the center of the circle. Wrap up the class with any announcements, then encourage parents to follow along with the movements of the yellow bus as you move around the pool one last time.