Round 1: Water Adjustment and Fun
Start the lesson with these simple activities to help the child get comfortable in the water:
- Sit the child on the side of the pool.
- Splash feet or play with toys. Use the floating smiley faces for extra fun.
- Press a smiley face underwater with one foot, then the other.
- Press the smiley face under with both feet.
- Sing "Ring Around the Rosy," and at the end say "…all jump in!"
- Jump in (see picture below).
After the jump, gather together in the middle of the pool and sing a song together. Play the video below for the tune.
Song: The Wheels on the Bus
Hold the swimmer in the "saddle" position as pictured below. This position keeps the child secure and engaged while you sing and move.
The Wheels on the Bus go…
- The wheels on the bus go round and round — splash splash splash.
- The wipers on the bus go swish, swish, swish.
- The people on the bus go up and down, up and down, up and down.
Round 2: Supported Front and Back Floats
Review supported front and back floats. Show the pictures below and follow the progression.
Supported Back Float / Glide
Have the swimmer rest on the parent's shoulder. Lean into their neck and arm. For advanced babies, hold the back of the head.
Advanced Babies
Start with head on shoulder, then support the head and body, and finally support only the head. This gradual reduction in support builds the child's confidence and balance.
ROUND 2 continued:
Your calm will dictate the swimmer’s calm.
ROUND 2 continued: – Start seated at the wall. Throw a toy in the water. – Sing “Ring around the Rosey” on “… all jump in!” enter the water with a jump. – Do supported front float encouraging face in water to toy. – Get the toy with reaching arms. – Back float back to the wall, holding toy. – Repeat.
Parent Tot – Song – If you’re happy and you know it
Play 2 x
Can do this with child sitting on the side, or with the child in the parent’s arms.
Lyrics:
If you’re happy and you know it, splash your hands If you’re happy and you know it, splash your hands If you’re happy and you know it And you really want to show it If you’re happy and you know it, splash your hands If you’re happy and you know it, splash your feet If you’re happy and you know it, splash your feet If you’re happy and you know it And you really want to show it If you’re happy and you know it, splash your feet If you’re happy and you know it, Kiss the water If you’re happy and you know it, Kiss the water If you’re happy and you know it If you’re happy and you know it If you’re happy and you know it, Kiss the water If you’re happy and you know it, Kiss the water
ROUND 3: Blastoffs and Underwater
ROUND 3: Blastoffs and Underwater – Blastoffs are holding child in supported front or back float position, push feet against he wall, count to 3 and “BLAST OFF!” the wall quickly encouraging child to push. – MOVE! Do front and back floats at least 1/2 way down the pool. – Sing “Itsey Bitsy Spider” and “Twinkle Twinkle little star” while moving. – Prepare to scoop. See picture:
Song: Five Little Monkeys
Hold child in the saddle position (resting on hip). Move up and down in the water up to their level of comfort as the lyrics say.Jumping, move up and down. < “hit her head” go underwater to the chin, nose, or whole head
“Five Little Monkeys” Lyrics
Five little monkeys jumping on the bed, One fell down and bumped his head, Mama called the doctor and the doctor said, No more monkeys jumping on the bed!
Four little monkeys jumping on the bed, One fell down and bumped his head, Mama called the doctor and the doctor said, No more monkeys jumping on the bed!
Three little monkeys jumping on the bed, One fell down and bumped her head, Mama called the doctor and the doctor said, No more monkeys jumping on the bed!
Two little monkeys jumping on the bed, One fell down and bumped his head, Mama called the doctor and the doctor said, No more monkeys jumping on the bed!
One little monkey jumping on the bed, She fell down and bumped her head, Mama called the doctor and the doctor said, Put those monkeys back to bed!
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