Welcome Song in Little Harbor
Why: Socialization and Buoyancy and Balance.
How: Gather in a circle and have parents lengthen their arms to support their child and create the Little Harbor position. This position allows the child to learn how to support themselves in the water by exploring buoyancy and balance. Encourage parents to support as low in the water as possible so the child can learn to stabilize their position. 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!
Conditioning and / or Submerging with the Big Mat
Why: To practice Breath Control and for young infants, spending time in the prone position (on the stomach) can aid with achieving certain milestones such as rolling over, sitting up, and crawling! For older infants and toddlers sitting on the Big Mat can aid with balance and comfort! FOR MORE ADVANCED STUDENTS; count 1 – 2 – 3 after the song “fall” off the big mat and submerge!
How: Place the children on a large mat on their tummy or in a seated position facing the outside of the mat. Utilize a watering can or cup to sprinkle water over the body, head and face.
Song Option: I’m a Little Teapot short and stout, here is my handle here is my spout. When I get all steamed up here me shout, tip me over and pour me out!
Falling of the Big Mat and Rolling Over
Why: Breath Control and Safety
How: Have students climb up and sit on the big mat and follow the actions of the song. Repeat the song a few times and count one, two, three before jumping, submerging and rolling to the back! For More Advanced Students; ask parents to take a step back from the mat, so the student can independently fall into the pool, next encourage parent to assist with rolling their swimmer to the back once they reach the water!
Song Lyrics: Five little monkeys jumping on the bed, one fell off and bumped their head. Mamma called the doctor and the doctor said, “No more monkeys jumping on the bed!”
NOTE; The video only shows the indpendent fall in – We still need to capture the roll over – if you have a great example let us know and we will film it!
Mirror Games
Why: Breath Control and Submerging
How: Prop a kick-board with a mirror stuck to it along the wall (one for each student). Have parents take a few steps back and support their child under their arms. Cue 1-2-3 then under and swim to the wall. Encourage students to grasp the wall ( if possible) and look up into the mirror. Practice a few times. For More Advanced Students; ask parents to release thier student under water just before the wall, to allow the student to float / glide into the wall and grab on.
Back Float with Mirrors
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.
Song Lyrics: abcdefghigklmnopqrstuvwxyandz, now i know my abc’s next time won’t you sing with me!
Fishes in the Ocean Falling in and Turning Around
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
https://youtu.be/0YuhcDNaKKg
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:
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- 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
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- Squirt Cars
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- Big Mirror
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- Gecko and Turtle Boards
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- Small Floating Mirrors
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- Bus
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- Big Mat
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- Cups
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- Watering Can