One of the most difficult skills to teach a young learner is the Breaststroke Kick (unless the child is anatomically designed for breaststroke). While teaching the breaststroke kicking skill takes lots of repetition, focus from the learner, and patience from the instructor–we have a few tricks at Swim Lessons University we would like to share.
There are three techniques we like to use when it comes to manipulating the student’s feet. In this blog, we will cover the second one which we call the “High Ten Method.” When teaching the kick to a student who is new to the skill, this kinesthetic techniques work wonders. No technique will create a miracle swimmer, as any complex skill does take time, lots of practice, and reinforcing. Nevertheless, if you provide those critical components of learning in your classes, your students will pick the skill up before you know it. Let’s take a look at the second technique we use. Hope you find it helpful when helping your students!
The International Swimming Hall of Fame has named Jim Reiser the recipient of the 2015 Virginia Hunt Newman Award for his curriculum and approach in teaching infants, toddlers, and children to swim. Jim is the first American to win the award in 10 years.
Swim Lessons University is currently being utilized by recreation departments, YMCAs, America Camp Association swim lessons programs, as well as by private swimming instructors in 45 states and over 30 countries!
You can also call us toll free at 1-866-498-SWIM (7946).
For the last three plus decades, we have been experimenting with learn-to-swim flotation devices, experimenting with different ways to use them, and most importantly–striving to determine how to most effectively use them in order to help children learn to swim more efficiently. At Swim Lessons University, we train swimming instructors to use buoyancy devices in a manner that is not only progressive and effective, but it also makes the process of learning to swim safer and more enjoyable.
In today’s blog, I am going to share with you video footage that will demonstrate the WRONG WAY and the RIGHT WAY to use flotation vests, as well as BEFORE AND AFTER FOOTAGE so you can see the evidence.
As you watch this first video clip, notice how the little girl on the left has just enough flotation that she can successfully practice the pop-up breath. Whereas the young student on the right, Nolan, has too little flotation CAUSING him to go into what I call “survival swimming.” You could even say he is swimming scared. If your students are in survival swimming mode, as the instructor, you are basically eliminating their ability to practice the “Pop-up Breath.” You are also often creating unnecessary anxiety in your student, which not only reduces his chances to improve, but it may also impede the progress all together. Take a look:
The neat thing about the next video clip is you are going to see Nolan, on the same day, perform the same skill, with two more flotation pads. Notice how the proper amount of buoyancyaffords our student with the ability to practice the “pop-up breath” with confidence. The neat thing about these “progressive flotation vests,” is that you can give your students JUST ENOUGH flotation to be successful. HOWEVER, SUCCESS is the key. If your student is struggling, if your student can’t get his breath and immediately return to the face down swimming position then you need to ADD FLOTATION. Watch the difference:
As your student’s skills improve to the point that the breath is automatic and effortless, then you can remove a buoyancy pad. As long as the child doesn’t resort to the “survival swimming” mode, you can continue to remove flotation until he/she is swimming independently without it. The flotation not only increases confidence and a child’s willingness to try, it increases “quality practice time” and promotes “good body positioning and technique.” Last but not least, it make learning to swim enjoyable, creating a life long love affair of the water vs. fearing it.
Within just a few weeks of the first two clips where you saw Nolan NEEDED the flotation, you will now get to see Nolan performing the Surface Swim with the “Pop-up Breath” without it:
In the earlier videos, the flotation allowed him to practice a skill he could not do otherwise. Our years of testing clearly demonstrate students don’t get dependent on flotation. They do get dependent, however, on an instructor, or a parent holding them. Regarding a false sense of security, no parent or child should EVER have a false sense of security. Parents and children need to understand that LIFE JACKETS SAVE LIVES! They are like SEAT BELTS. No one should be ashamed to wear a life jacket when in or around the water. Life Jackets just aren’t for boating either. In our “Water Smart 101” program for children, the rule of thumb we teach is that if you can’t swim the length of the body of water you are in or playing around, and you aren’t within an “arms reach” of an adult, you should wear a life jacket. Type III or Type V Life Jackets should be worn even in swimming pools when an adult isn’t providing “arms reach” supervision. “Close and constant supervision” should be maintained during swimming instruction as well while wearing these progressive flotation devices. Flotation devices equal safer swimming, but multiple layers of swim safety practices should be enforced at all times.
The progressive flotation devices we like are made by SwimWays. We especially like the SwimWays Power Swimr. The Sea Squirts Swim Assist, as seen in today’s YouTube video, is also nice but doesn’t have quite as much flotation so shouldn’t be used with a true beginner. Swim Ways also carries a Sea Squirts Type III Coast Guard approved Life Jacket which is an excellent swimming life vest as it doesn’t ride up on the swimmer like most ski jackets do because of it’s design. Konfidence-USA also makes a nice progressive flotation device.
The International Swimming Hall of Fame has named Jim Reiserthe recipient of the 2015 Virginia Hunt Newman Award for his curriculum and approach in teaching infants, toddlers, and children to swim. Jim is the first American to win the award in 10 years.
Swim Lessons University is currently being utilized by recreation departments, YMCAs, America Camp Association swim lessons programs, as well as by private swimming instructors in 45 states and over 30 countries!
You can also call us toll free at 1-866-498-SWIM (7946).
Steve Graves, Executive Director of the World Aquatic Babies and Children’s Network, asked me if there was a “tough teaching task” and “remedy” that came to mind to share with WABC Members in their newsletter. The first one that came to mind to me was the difficult task of alleviating anxiety and fears in young children, especially one and two-year old toddlers enrolled in Parent & Me classes.
Here are five remedies that we have found extremely effective for alleviating anxiety in toddlers at Swim Lessons University:
1. Especially on the first few classes, have parents hold their toddlers in a “hug hold” when entering the water. The children feel much more secure. I have seen parents holding children every which way, and this is certainly a critical element of getting started on the right foot.
2. Allow the parent and child to spend the first few minutes with “just each other.” One-on-one time so to speak, so the child can get acclimated to the environment. For years I debated on starting the class off with a song, but determined it was best to incorporate the group acclimation songs AFTER the initial warm up to the pool, new people, etc.
3. Gently introduce yourself to each child. Talk softly, smile a lot, and be very sensitive to the child’s readiness to accept you. Take your time.
4. When teaching skills, stay child-focused and introduce skills based on the child’s readiness–not yours.
5. You are the expert. You do it! When it’s time to teach skills such as breath control, surface swimming, or safety skills, you be the one to assist the child in practicing the technique. You have done it hundreds of times. Parents have not. Parents are anxious. You are not. The child senses this anxiousness. Most importantly, you can lead the child to the parent when practicing skills. So the child is going TO THE PARENT, which is more comforting than the parent sending them away and toward you. Keep in mind when you take the child from the parent to start the skill, don’t hesitate a second to begin. You want to start immediately using a start command such as 1, 2, 3. This is especially important until the child gets to know you. If the child sees right away he/she is going to mom or dad, most of the anxiety is alleviated within seconds.
Hope these tips help you and your staff! If you would like to become a Certified Swim Lessons University “Infant-Toddler” Instructor, you can take a comprehensive video course designed to teach you everything you need to know. You can also do your certification exam in the comfort of your own home using our online testing program! Enroll in a Parent & Tot Instructor Certification course today!
The International Swimming Hall of Fame has named Jim Reiserthe recipient of the 2015 Virginia Hunt Newman Award for his curriculum and approach in teaching infants, toddlers, and children to swim. Jim is the first American to win the award in 10 years.
Swim Lessons University is currently being utilized by recreation departments, YMCAs, America Camp Association swim lessons programs, as well as by private swimming instructors in 45 states and over 30 countries!
You can also call us toll free at 1-866-498-SWIM (7946).
A Parent writes after having taken 8 lessons (4 hours of instruction with her 15 month old):
My 15 month old son and I just took the parent and me class with Coach M. Each day was a repeat of the same thing we had done each day prior. I guess my point is to ask you, what were we supposed to be doing in class, and what is the most you can get out of the parent and me class? My son is extremely active, strong, and very comfortable with water. Is familiarity with water the only thing we were supposed to achieve, or was there more? Again I am not trying to complain, I really just wanted an answer if you have the time. I appreciate it.
Thank you,
C.P.
Dear C.P.,
It is hard to give a true assessment without seeing your class… But here are my thoughts:
Yes, the routine shouldn’t change. Children need that consistency in approach to make progress because not only of their age, but also because the improvement depends on practicing that particular skill. For example: It’s like deciding you’re going to be a runner, but then instead of running to get in shape for the marathon you start playing tennis. Do you see what I mean? Like running, in order to learn the skill of swimming, you need to run, run, and run some more, and you won’t be ready for that marathon in 4 hours. You can think of many other examples. Here’s one more: You want your child to learn to play your favorite song on the piano. If he’s going to learn to play that song, not only will he need to practice that song often and regularly, he will need to repeat a variety of exercises to help him achieve that goal. And yes, it will take longer than 4 hours of instruction. Learning to swim is no different.
Now let’s talk about the skills we are teaching in Parent & Tot. There are progressions for every skill, but as teachers we have to make a judgment on whether or not the child is ready for the next step in the progression. At 15 months, it may take several weeks before we determine the child is ready to take that next step and you CAN’T force it. IF we do, we take the chance of going backwards and turning the child off to the lesson all together.
For instance, if the Coach M. tries to do three dolphin dips (breath control exercise) even though the toddler’s body language, facial expressions, etc. are saying “no” then she could cause the child to regress instead of progress, and potentially create a negative experience. If the child appears ready for the third dip, then Coach M. should do it. I can’t say either way without seeing it, but Coach M. knows her job and she has taught hundreds of toddlers to swim.
The same goes with the back kicking, surface swim with the face in the water, and the safety skills. They are repeated every lesson. They have to be if the child is going to improve on it, but within each skill, there is a progression that the instructor has to determine whether or not to go the the next step of the progression, based on the child’s readiness–NOT the instructor’s or parent’s desire to advance them. At 15 months, it is a great time to start developing all these skills, and the skills and activities MUST be repeated in order for the child to improve them. Children are limited to what they can do by their age, experience, and motor development. Here is a blog I wrote that may help in determining what skills toddlers are “capable” of mastering, but each child is unique, and each child needs to be treated as an individual. There are so many factors in addition to age that go into the process of whether or not a child is ready to move on in a skill progression. And that is what our instructors are trained to do.
I do think Coach M. is a great teacher. I can’t say with certainty whether or not your son should have accomplished more or not. It may or may not be a case of high expectations or it may be a case where Coach M. took a more conservative approach based on what she felt was best for your son. I do know Coach M. would do just that. I look forward to talking to you more.
SwimmingSafercerely,
Coach Jim
The International Swimming Hall of Fame has named Jim Reiserthe recipient of the 2015 Virginia Hunt Newman Award for his curriculum and approach in teaching infants, toddlers, and children to swim. Jim is the first American to win the award in 10 years.
Swim Lessons University is currently being utilized by recreation departments, YMCAs, America Camp Association swim lessons programs, as well as by private swimming instructors in 45 states and over 30 countries!
You can also call us toll free at 1-866-498-SWIM (7946).
First off, we NEVER float babies against their will. It’s simply not worth turning them off to the water, which is most often the result when you take the enjoyment out of the learn-to-swim experience. If you do stay child-focused, most infant and toddlers will take to it. Children can learn other potentially lifesaving skills too, like getting back to the side of the pool if they fell in the water, which doesn’t require them to be on their back. We think it is so important that swimming instructors are not overly aggressive or insistent that a child masters a particular skill. At this young age, children should be closely supervised at all times no matter what, and there should be numerous layers of protection when it comes to water safety. If parents can make sure their toddlers stay off a busy street, they can also ensure they don’t end up in a swimming pool without supervision.
At Swim Lessons University, our Certified Swimming Instructors introduce back floating and kicking using a “cheek-to-cheek” support with the child’s head on the parent’s shoulder. In this first video, I want you to notice how I use the “cheek to cheek” hold and put my student Rex in a nice horizontal body position. On the other hand, my other student Kamryn is not very horizontal nor is she feeling her body’s buoyancy. Now this is MY RESPONSIBILITY to correct. I need to a better job teaching Kamryn’s father to get her in a horizontal position like Rex so she too can feel the water floating her. Take a look:
I always stress that the best hold is the one that gives the student just enough support to be successful.
Within in a few weeks, you can progress to what I am doing in this next video IF the child is ready. This is Baby Rex’s very first time floating without my support. I think it is critical for the safety of the child that you don’t allow water to continue to get on the face, in the mouth, etc. If that is occurring frequently, not only do you starting taking the fun out of it, but you are also putting the child at risk. Notice how closely I watch Rex’s face and the water, and as soon as it appears he is going to try and sit up or that his body position is going to cause water to get on the face, I resume my support, sit him up, and praise him.
With continued practice and instruction, this skill will naturally improve. Don’t expect it all at once. And don’t be surprised if there are days when your student doesn’t want to be on his/her back at all. Stay child-focused and keep the experience positive. About two weeks after the above video was shot, Rex kicked on his back all the way around a small lazy river (probably about 35-50 yards) in Myrtle Beach’s Dune’s Village Water Park because HE WANTED TO! I just walked with him and enjoyed watching him have fun with it. The next day, however, he didn’t want to be on his back at all (to my surprise), until he saw his 3.5 year old brother kicking on his back! And BINGO…Rex wanted to do it too! And he did.
The International Swimming Hall of Fame has named Jim Reiserthe recipient of the 2015 Virginia Hunt Newman Award for his curriculum and approach in teaching infants, toddlers, and children to swim. Jim is the first American to win the award in 10 years.
Swim Lessons University is currently being utilized by recreation departments, YMCAs, America Camp Association swim lessons programs, as well as by private swimming instructors in 45 states and over 30 countries!
You can also call us toll free at 1-866-498-SWIM (7946).
When teaching the breaststroke kick to a young student, using various forms of kinesthetic techniques can work wonders. While no technique will create a “miracle swimmer,” if you provide the critical components of teaching swimming in your classes your students will pick the skill up before you know it. Make no mistake about it, all complex skills take time, lots of practice, and reinforcing.
In this first of three segments of “How to Teach the Breaststroke Kick,” I will demonstrate my “Reversed High Ten Method” which we use to teach the breaststroke kick at Swim Lessons University. Take a look:
The International Swimming Hall of Fame has named Jim Reiser the recipient of the 2015 Virginia Hunt Newman Award for his curriculum and approach in teaching infants, toddlers, and children to swim. Jim is the first American to win the award in 10 years.
Swim Lessons University is currently being utilized by recreation departments, YMCAs, America Camp Association swim lessons programs, as well as by private swimming instructors in 45 states and over 30 countries!
You can also call us toll free at 1-866-498-SWIM (7946).
What is our student doing incorrectly in this video clip?
If you guessed she is not exhaling out of her mouth and nose, you are correct. The problem with this, as you can see, is she is basically just holding her breath the entire time which causes her to run out of breath and have to stop. If she performs the air exchange properly, you will see she is capable of continuing the exercise for longer distances.
At Swim Lessons University, we call this exercise “Hopping Frog Bobs” and it is practiced each class in our Swim Strokes 201 class, an entry level strokes class for those who can swim from point a to point b for short distances, but need to learn the formal strokes of freestyle and backstroke. The instructions are “get your air in your mouth, blow out your mouth and your nose.” We also break that down into buzzwords or cues and simply say, “get your air, blow it out.”
Now watch our young student make the correction, after getting some specific, corrective feedback from the instructor:
At Swim Lessons University, instructors are trained to use 6 different forms of feedback in the “Foundations of Teaching DVD Course. In this video, you can see our young swimmer make the correction. Notice how she exhales out her mouth and nose each time she submerges, allowing her to easily catch another breath upon coming up for air. This exercise, Hoping Frog Bobs, is a great drill that isolates the breath control skill, which will transfer into learning the air exchange in freestyle (front crawl) with side breathing.
The International Swimming Hall of Fame has named Jim Reiser the recipient of the 2015 Virginia Hunt Newman Award for his curriculum and approach in teaching infants, toddlers, and children to swim. Jim is the first American to win the award in 10 years.
If you would like to learn more about the Swim Lessons University certification program and curriculum, make sure to visit us at www.SwimLessonsUniversity.com
We have training and certification programs designed for both private instructors as well as organizations like YMCAs, Recreation Departments, Athletic Clubs, and more.
Swim Lessons University is currently being utilized by recreation departments, YMCAs, America Camp Association swim lessons programs, as well as by private swimming instructors in 45 states and over 30 countries!
You can also call us toll free at 1-866-498-SWIM (7946).
