1. I Can Find Things Underwater!
Why: Refining Breath Control and gaining comfort and confidence while submerging.
How: Place a sinking ring or toy on the dock, stairs or pool floor. One at a time assist students with a gentle push to catch the object or allow them to ty it independently. Depending on the comfort level of the student, you may assist them to the surface or allow them to float or swim to the surface independently.
https://youtu.be/z2DwXnINNP0
2. I Can Float on My Back!
Why: To increase comfort through Buoyancy and Balance.
How: Encourage the students to lie back and relax while submerging their ears and looking up.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfAhBgVMtfs&w=560&h=315]
3. I Can Float on My Belly!
Why: To increase comfort with Breath Control and Buoyancy and Balance.
How: Give each student their own sinking mat. One by one, they will get a chance for their mat to sink as you support them by holding them under the shoulders and facing you. Encourage them to put their face in the water step by step. Starting with submerging their chin, lips, nose and then eyes.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3U63Pc-NqtY&w=560&h=315]
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SmLFFFIf90&w=420&h=315]
4. I Can Kick, Kick, Kick!
Why: To encourage independent movement through kicking.
How: Using equipment to help with buoyancy and balance encourage the students to kick toward you, the dock, stairs or wall. Be sure to practice this skill on the front and the back!
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2FudmWMB-o&w=560&h=315]
5. I Can Swim By Myself!
Why: To encourage independent Movement without a floatation device!
How: It is far less intimidating for a beginner swimmer to swim to a teacher vs. the wall, dock or stairs. Position yourself so that you are facing the class and have the swimmers push off the dock or stairs and swim to you. Holding hands is typical of swimmers at the beginning of this level.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dUcVUA1QRHA&w=560&h=315]
6. I Can Otter Roll
Why: Introducing the Safety skill of rolling over (with a little guidance).
How: One a student is comfortable swimming a few body lengths to the teacher, wall, dock or stairs enhance the skill by introducing the otter roll! Position yourself so that you are facing the class and have the swimmers push off the dock or stairs and swim to you. Assist them with rolling to their back and floating before the recover the the front and grab the wall / stairs.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MysSA_mFuJc?ecver=1&w=480&h=270]
7. I Can Jump Turn and Climb!
Why: Introducing the Safety skill of returning to the wall after entering the water.
How: Have students monkey walk to a designated area and climb out of the pool. Once there have them stand on the edge of the pool. Position yourself to the side of the student and one at a time assist them with jump in, submerging, swimming to safety.
Props
-
- Cups
-
- Small Barbells
-
- Sinking Frog Mats
Dock Arrangements
In a Corner – 1 dock for continuous movement. Kick to the Wall, Monkey Walk Around the Corner and walk across the dock.
At the Stairs – 1 dock for continuous movement. Kick to the dock, walk across the dock and monkey walk back to the stairs (or move in reverse).
In a Lane – 2 docks for continuous movement. Kick to the wall, monkey walk to the dock, walk across one dock then slide to the next and walk across again.
