At the completion of this unit, you will be able to:
| Teaching Tip | Explanation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Use simple language | Use language that is easy for participants to understand. Use words that create a visual picture for the participants to better understand the expectation. | When explaining the front crawl arms to a younger student use words such as ice cream scoops or puppy paws to better give the participants a visual of what you expect. Other examples are point your toes like a ballerina or kick like a mermaid. |
| Begin with a brief meeting | Begin each class with a brief meeting to acknowledge the presence of each student. This can be done while sitting together in a small group near the pool. | Sit in a circle near the pool and have all participants say their names and maybe a favorite color or animal. Each day the instructor can have the kids choose something different to say in the circle. |
| Learn participants' first names | Learn all the first names of the participants in the class and use their names when addressing them. Using names when addressing the participants helps the participants feel more comfortable and shows the parents that the instructor cares. | Learning first names can also be done in a circle format at the beginning of class. Participants need to know the instructor's name. |
| Reinforcement of safety | Begin and end swim lessons by verbally reinforcing the safety rules to the participants. Most importantly make sure that participants understand they are never to enter the water without verbal permission from a parent or swim instructor. | Some examples of rules could be; keeping both on the wall at all times, keep your head above the water line so you can hear directions, and lets have fun today! |
| Engage all participants | Consistently engage all participants to physically interact with peers to maximize learning potential. A well-organized lesson should continually challenge participants to practice newly learned strokes and skills using drills. Extensive use of practice drills will help your participants master strokes and skills faster and more proficiently than participants who do not have drills incorporated into their lessons. | After teaching a skill or stroke to participants, go through a drill that practices that newly learned stroke or skill. As the swim instructor is going through the drill, talk about what the drill is working on. Make sure that all participants in the lesson are participating in the drill and answering any questions you are asking about the drill. |
| Instructor position - Preschool and Beginner | Always be in the water with participants while teaching Preschool and Beginner levels. The participants should always be positioned on deck during all demonstrations by the instructor. While in the water, you need to be within arm's reach of all participants during practice drills. It is important to maintain eye contact with all participants. | In the lower levels you should have the participants take turns going through the skills so they are always within arm's reach and keep an eye on the participants waiting for their turn. Any demonstrations of strokes and skills that the instructor must perform need to be done with all participants out of the water and viewing from the deck. |
| Instructor position - Advanced Beginner and Intermediate | The participants in the Advanced Beginner level and Intermediate level are working on building their endurance so you need to be in a position to assist participants if they begin to struggle. | When the participants are swimming the length of the pool working on building their endurance, a good position for the swim instructor might be halfway down the lane. It is important to base position on the abilities of the participants in the lesson. |
| Instructor position - Advanced (Possibly Intermediate) | You might spend the time out of the water on deck while participants practice their skills in these levels. Maintain eye contact with all participants practicing strokes and skills. | With the Intermediate and Advanced levels you might be doing more observing from the deck and giving the participants feedback. |