Parent holding child's hand Both walk down stairs together
Parent holding child's hand Walk down together
Circle - children and parents in pairs around teacher "Kids On The Boat" (tune of "Wheels On The Bus")
Variation: Have children stand on island and do actions together.
Child sitting on mat facing parent Parents walk around in circle while turning mat Sing each song Child tip forward and swim at end of each song Circle - child on mat facing parent "Row Your Boat", "Ring Around The Rosie", "Speckled Frogs"
Child sitting on mat facing parent Parents walk around in circle while turning mat Sing each song Child tip forward and swim at end of each song
Turn-around swim back to mat.
Child in noodle boat Teacher holds 1 holey mat against wall to create tunnel Parent with child on noodle boat move through tunnel while singing "London Bridge" Teacher sprinkles water on child's head in tunnel Continue in circle to repeat
Instruct parent to keep moving and help child stretch their body and legs. Physically manipulate legs to practice kicking.
Parent with child kicking around in a circle
If child is able to kick propulsively, remind parent to assist as little as possible.
Child in noodle boat Teacher holds 1 holey mat against wall to create tunnel Teacher takes child at start, parent goes to end Teacher puts child with feet against wall to push-off Send child through tunnel to parent
Instruct parent to keep moving and help child stretch their body and legs. Physically manipulate legs to practice kicking.
Teacher assists push off & kick through mat tunnel to parent
If child is able to kick propulsively, remind parent to assist as little as possible.
Parent and child face to face Child tips forward into water Parent assists with submersion
Help parent find an appropriate distance away from child - close enough so child feels confident to tip forward and far enough so child does not land on parent's chest.
Child tip in Assisted submersion
Parent holds child on back Teacher holds up mirror Parent with child on back move in circle Encourage child to look at mirror Continue in circle to repeat
Parent should keep moving to create slipstream.
Child in back position with parent support moving around pool
Back hold progressions: 1. cheek to cheek 2. parent hold under both arms, child's head at parent's chest 3. parents' hands under neck or back of head and lower back 4. parent's hand under neck or back of head, release support of lower back 5. parent's hand under neck or back of head, release support of lower back, then release completely
Lined up across pool Child push off wall and glides/kicks on back Parent supports
Emphasize to parents that push-off should start with feet in water and should be gentle.
Parent support Child push off wall and glide on back
Back hold progressions: 1. cheek to cheek 2. parent hold under both arms, child's head at parent's chest 3. parents' hands under neck or back of head and lower back 4. parent's hand under neck or back of head, release support of lower back 5. parent's hand under neck or back of head, release support of lower back, then release completely
Teacher holds 1 or 2 holey mat(s) against wall to create tunnel Parent with child in side hold move through tunnel Parent initiates roll from front to back as they move through tunnel Continue in circle to repeat Circle - children and parents in pairs move around in a circle "London Bridge"
Parent and child move around in a circle Parent initiates rollover when going through mat tunnel
Ready swim with submersion as child goes under the bridge, then rollover.
Glide on front Parent initiates roll from front to back Glide on back Parent initiates roll from back to front Line - children and parents in pairs lined up across pool OR Line - staggered (every other pair) across pool
Parent initiates roll from front to back Child glide on back with skill appropriate assistance
From stairs or island Child pushes off into front glide to parent Parent catches child Parent initiates submersion and releases child into swim back to stairs or island
Starting position is crucial - hands in front, shoulders in water, push forward & not jump up. Use mirror or sinkable frog/sharks to encourage child to look down.
Child push off from stairs or island Glide to parent
Children blow bubbles Balls pop out from bucket underwater Teacher pours some water over each child's head to get face wet With song, children glide around pool to collect balls and put back in bucket Circle - children and parents in pairs around teacher, Free movement (in shallow end) "Pick Up The Balls"
Child moving around pool with parent holding
One child at a time An exaggerated jump: teacher/parent holds child's feet and pushes child up out of water to jump forward Parent supports child while child participates
Parent-assisted
Allow child to glide & kick to parent instead of catching right away.
Circle - children and parents in pairs around teacher Follow actions in lyrics Parent and child facing teacher (Modification: parent and child face to face)
Parent can demonstrate actions if child is not ready to do on their own.
Parent and child participate
Parent and child face to face or facing teacher. Have children stand on island and do actions.
Parent holding child's hand Both walk up stairs together
Parent holding child's hand Walk up together