Swim Lessons?

Question

I giving swim lessons to a 5 year old. He doesn't really put his whole head under, but we're working on it. We work on kicking, on the wall and with a board, but I don't really know what else to do with him. Does anyone have any ideas or know of any sites that would help? Thanks!!

Answer 1

i help out to coach my team... ummm like try to get him to use arm circles with the kick board. even if he wont put his face under its good practice. oh and try to get him to jump in and most kids do that and put there head under. then tell him that he put his head under already so dont be scared. also you could try kicking on your back. and blowing bubbles is always good. its more fun for the kids when you get in and do the exercises with them... some kids are more hands on! :)

Answer 2

stream line jumps- put his arms over his head (stream line) and then jump up really high, keeping everything tight. (can be done in the water and on land)

ring around the rosy-  do 'ring around the rosy' and then on the last line say "..... ashes ashes we all blow bubbles" and everybody sticks their heads in the water and blows bubbles

kickboard race- get a kickboard for you and him and have a relay (it can be half the pool or the whole pool, which ever he can do) and have a race. but let him win. he'll feel good when he knows he can beat someone and it'll make him work to his best effort

also why won't he stick his head in the water? is it a fear of water getting in his nose or just fear of water in general?

if it's getting water in his nose, have him blow bubbles and explain (on his level, nothing too complex needed) that if the air is coming out, water can't go in.

but if it's just putting his face in at all try putting alittle water on his face (gently) to show him that the water won't do anything to him. also go over how to hold your breath and things like that so he doesn't accidentally swallow some water.

Answer 3

Put little toys and things under the water. If he has goggles, be can look at them while he blows bubbles. You could make a game out of it too, like have him blow as many bubbles as there are [insert toys here]. For kicking... hmm... have a big splash award, and see if he can make a bigger splash than you with his feet.