Child holds railing and teacher's hand Child walks down stairs to teacher
Child walks down with teacher assistance
At stairs Follow actions in lyrics
Child at stairs
Teacher holds child on back Child glides on back with hands on top of legs/thighs
Watch for correct hand placement (hands on top of legs/thighs) to encourage long body position, arms straight.
Assisted back glide
Child with noodle around back, under arms Child glides on front with face in water, looking down One at a time
Start with shoulders in water so child pushes forward and does not "fall" in water.
Glide with face in
Hands in front holding equipment, arms straight but not over-extended Glide on front
Start with shoulders in water so child pushes forward and does not "fall" in water. Be sure child is holding triangle board properly - thumbs on bottom and other fingers on top, hands apart / close to outside corners of triangle board (simulating hand placement of pencil swim), arms straight.
Glide holding triangle board
Hands in front, arms straight but not over-extended Glide on front
Start with shoulders in water so child pushes forward and does not "fall" in water. Watch for correct hand and arm placement (hands in front, arms straight but not over-extended) to encourage proper body position. If using a small dive ring, be sure arms are straight and reaching forward.
Glide
Child with noodle around back, under arms Child kicks propulsively with face in water, looking down One at a time
Watch for bubbles and proper head position while kicking. Physically manipulate legs to practice proper kicking motion.
Kick with face in - one at a time
Jump in from edge One at a time
Unassisted
Pick up object from bottom At stairs or island One at a time
Start with child sitting on stairs, toy at feet, work through progressions: 1) reach for toy, 2) with bubbles, 3) with face in when ready.
Child at stairs or island - initiates submersion, assistance to go down deeper
Child holds railing and/or teacher's hand as necessary Child walks up stairs to exit pool
Child walks up with teacher assistance