How to Use the Swim Lesson DVD
The swim lesson DVD teaches parents and swim instructors how to hold the baby in the tub and pool and how to teach the infant to hold his breath as the baby first learns to swim. Most children drown within 5 feet of safety. Miss Bea teaches your 2 year-old how to catch the wall if s/he falls in the pool. The DVD gives parents and swim instructor specific instructions of techniques to follow that make your baby and older children confident and safe swimmers.
Parents:
Watch the video prior to the first lesson and before subsequent swim lessons.
Make notes or create a lesson plan prior to going to the pool.
Upset or excited:
Whether your child loves the water or is scared of the water, watching the dvd of so many children swimming and performing the activities will encourage the child and help to start each swim lesson with a positive attitude.
It is normal for the child to become upset sometimes during the swim lesson. The child, especially the strong willed child, would rather do what s/he wants and not what you want!
If the child has been upset through some of the lesson, have playtime at the end. Wait until s/he is calm before you go out of the pool so that they remember the swim lesson as a positive experience.
Parents with children 2 years old and over:
Watch the swim lesson segment that you are going to practice on that day. Maybe even watch it several times telling the child that s/he can do it too!
Prepare the child for what swim lesson s/he will be practicing. When you can, let the child decide what to practice/learn.
Tell the child that this is "swim lesson time" and that you are the teacher and that s/he has to do what you say.
When and how often to practice each swim lesson:
If you can choose the time to practice, go to the pool when s/he is rested and ready to swim. Usually thirty or forty minutes are enough for a three yo, and fifteen to twenty minutes for a baby.
When you go in the pool to teach a child to swim, remind the child that you are the teacher and he needs to do what you say. Be confident that you can have the child do what you see in the video. Have patience and continue to encourage the child.
When you've had enough and are ready to go home, if the child is having too much fun, give a five minute warning before you end the practice or lesson. You can give "three more things and then it's time to go."
Be sure you move on to a new activity when you "hit a wall." Your child will learn from you differently that from an instructor.
After the lesson watch the dvd to review and reinforce what you've accomplished and what you will work on next.
Make plans for the next lesson!!
Write Miss Bea and tell her how GREAT it went! ...or ask her questions, or share your concerns...
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