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!
2. Swimming Conditioning and Submerging Under the Bridge
Why: Breath Control
How: Hold the bridge up against a wall and have the class rotate around you in a circle. Use a cup to pour water through the holes above to allow it to sprinkle over their head. Use the Jellyfish Sinkers plugged into the holes on the yellow mat for an extra sensory experience while traveling under the bridge. FOR MORE ADVANCED STUDENTS, encourage parents to cue their child and gently submerge them for a body length or more if able.
Option 1 . Big Mat Maze (for those that can crawl and walk)
Why: Breath Control, Movement and FUN!!!
How: Set up the pool using cones along the edge and leading to the Big Mat. Encourage students to monkey walk past the cones, crawl up onto the mat and under the noodles. At the end of the mat cue 1 – 2 – 3 and Jump In! Circle around a few times encouraging the parents to give little to no support and promote independent movement and submerging.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yp6-m3iCv-4&w=560&h=315]
Option 2.Noodle Boat Fun (for those that cannot crawl or walk)
Why: To practice Buoyancy, Balance and Movement with the help of equipment.
How: Have 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 creates a batter feeling of balance and results in the student being more comfortable in the noodle boat. Note; Place a small plastic ball under an infants chin if they are not able to independently hold their head up. FOR MORE ADVANCED STUDENTS; Encourage parents to lessen or remove their support of the noodle to allow student to feel buoyancy and balance while being less supported.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEdyOsgK6VM&w=560&h=315]
4.Back Float under the Bridge
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 tunnel for several rounds to help students relax on their backs. Sing the song for a few rotations to get students to relax on their backs.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49YBBY1QSPE&w=560&h=315]
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=da2L34Iwpsk&w=560&h=315]
5. Fishes in the Ocean
Why: To practice the Safety skill of falling in and submerging.
How: Students begin with climbing 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.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9aMwI0EHCvc&w=560&h=315]
6. 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. Ask the parents to match their actions to the lyrics of the song.
PROPS
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- Yellow Mat with Holes
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- Cups
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- Sinking Octopus
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- Big Mat
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- Big Mat Maze
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- Noodles
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- Toddler Noodle Boat
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- Squirt Cars
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- Bus