I'm teaching swim lessons tomorrow to two year olds. help?

Question

i'm teaching three two year olds how to swim tomorrow.

i've never done this before so i don't really know exactly what to teach them.

i was thinking floating on their backs, and things like that.

any suggestions? also, what should i say to them.

like when floating on their backs i was thinking. "belly up! look at the sky!" stuff like that.

Answer 1

Hey I'm teaching 2 year olds to swim tomorrow too.  Get them in the pool (proves harder than it sounds lol).  Work on getting them to put their face in and blow bubbles and humm (nose bubbles).  Then I would go with a front float with head up is ok, most kids feel more comfortable on their front than their back.  Playing red light, green light with kicking is also good.  Then either do back floats or arm strokes.  That should take up most of the time.  Have fun.

Answer 2

floating on your backs is great for begingins.  your going to have to do one at a time though because in sure their going to be scared.  i was i know. tell them to keep their chin up and hold them underneath so they feel safe.

next you might ask them if they know how to go underwater.  they will be really excited to show you if they can. teach everyone to go under then try to get them to kick with their feet. while under.  

mayb ethey can hold on to the side of the pool and kick

then try blowing bubble with their mouth slow progressing to the nose

Answer 3

When I taught two year olds to swim i made it into a game. I brought "props", like little balls and bath toys so it is fun and not scary.  I know it sounds silly but songs like ring around the rosy and such work too. You start out with blowing bubbles.  No kid likes water up the nose! Have them blow water from your hands, so they see how to expunge air. Then have them try to push a toy with their bursts of air on the surface. Then they can blow bubbles.  Have them sit on the deck and kick their feet. Do arm circles. Some kids might not be too thrilled laying on their backs right away.  You could have them face you with their hands on your shoulders, supporting them with your forearms, and kick their legs for them, and move around the pool. Let them feel how it is to kick from the hip and not the knees.  Remember this really isn't a swim class for kids that age, more like water acclimation.  Good luck, and have fun.

Answer 4

The VERY FIRST order of business is to drill in a bit of water safety.

Every kid on the planet needs to know they are to NEVER get into the water without mommy or daddy telling them they can. Kids under 7 have no concept of what drowning is, so don't bother saying anything about it. After all, drowning is the #1 killer of toddlers in the US, with approximately 4000 victims every year. Sad, but true, since it is all preventable.

As far as teaching them goes, your best bet is to play to their imagination. A front float is a "turtle float". Blowing bubbles is "pretending you're a can of soda". Breath-holding is "pretending you're a balloon". Bobbing becomes"peek-a-boo". A front glide is an "arrow".

I always ended lessons with a "whale ride" (of course, it was just for the kids who could hold their breath reliably), in which I submerged and pushed myself off of the wall. They LOVE it.

Be sure to watch ALL of them, ALL the time. Ideally, you shouldn't have more than 3 two-year-olds per class. Count noses. Remember, a truly drowning victim makes no noise and does not splash.

Watch them for signs of coldness. (blue lips and fingernails, and shivering). Any kid under 5 will deny they are cold, regardless of having all the signs. Usually, they can stand only about 20 minutes in an 86F degree pool.

Answer 5

you could teach them how to blow bubbles maybe