Swimming lessons introduce the basic swimming strokes to increase a child's comfort level in the water. Formal swimming lessons reduce the risk of drowning for young kids, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A structured class with an emphasis on safety helps children learn the necessary swimming skills to keep them safe in the water.
Customize for the Audience
Tailor your teaching strategies to suit the age of the students taking swimming lessons. Take into consideration the age group's developmental aspects to include instruction that best fits their needs. Each individual student's skill level also plays a role in what you teach during swimming lessons. For example, floating bathtub toys help a young child learn to stretch out his arms in the water. Toss a toy several feet in front of him; ask him to reach for it. Add child-friendly names to different moves to customize swimming lessons for younger kids. For example, refer to Superman when you want the kids to put their arms straight in front of them with their bodies in a straight line.
Play Games
Play games that entertain your students while helping them practice specific swimming strokes and skills. For younger children, sing songs that include movement. For "The Wheels on the Bus," ask the kids to move their arms in the water to indicate the different actions in the song. At the end of "Happy Birthday," ask the children to blow out the candles with their mouths in the water to practice blowing bubbles. For older students, play follow the leader or Simon says. Use swimming concepts during the game. Hold relay races across the pool using specific swimming strokes.
Teach Multiple Ways
Children and adults learn in different ways, so it makes sense to incorporate different teaching methods into your swimming lessons. Explain a particular stroke or swimming skill to your students. Demonstrate the skill yourself so they can see proper execution of the swimming move. Hold onto a child and help him move his body in the correct manner. Swimming aids help students who struggle with a particular skill. For example, a swimming noodle can help support a child as she practices the skill.
Teach Safety
Swimming safety concepts play a vital part in swimming lessons. Emphasize the significance of observing safety measures at all times in the water. Teach students the proper way to enter and exit the pool, what to do in an emergency and how to use safety equipment. Learning the pool rules also increases a child's safety.
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