The Swim Professor

Jim Reiser, M.S.

Halloween Swim Lessons Games for Beginners

Would you like a fun, breath holding activity for your beginners with a Halloween theme? Give this one a try!

While this a seasonal activity, it is perfectly adequate to utilize in the Breath Holding part of the Swim Lessons University Swim 101 Lesson Plan.

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).

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October 30, 2016 at 1:01 am Comments (0)

Halloween Swim Lesson Games

Halloween is just around the corner, so I wanted to share an activity I created called the “Haunted Island.”   I use it mainly during “In-line/prone kick” skill since it’s a simple skill that doesn’t require a lot of feedback.  In other words, when I get to the part of the lesson where we are working on the freestyle/front crawl (I combined a Swim 102 student with a Swim Strokes 201 student), I can get back to giving the children more specific, corrective feedback to ensure the class is both INSTRUCTIONAL and FUN!

I think that you will find that when you teach perpetual swim lessons (weekly lessons vs. sessions), theme-based activities and games are extremely valuable to keep the monotony out of the lessons.  Of course, it is equally important that you don’t lose sight of the skills that your students need to learn in the curriculum.

At any rate, here is an activity/game for the in-line kick that we call “The Haunted Island!”  I hope you and your students have as much fun with it as we did!

While this a seasonal activity, it is perfectly adequate to utilize in the In-line Kick part of the Swim Lessons University Lesson Plan.

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).

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October 28, 2016 at 3:48 pm Comments (0)

Private Swimming Lesson Ideas for Toddlers and Preschoolers

Have you ever taught a private swimming lesson? Have you ever needed a couple activities in your back pocket to add some fun and variety to the lesson?  Here’s a couple quick ideas that you could try in your toddler or preschool swim lessons:

While these aren’t regular activities that are part of our curriculum, they are certainly great “fillers” that can keep your private swim lessons fun and upbeat, or something you can throw in for a change of pace.  As you could see, this little toddler absolutely loved “The Motorboat Song” and the little tosses up in the air!

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).

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October 27, 2016 at 1:51 am Comments (0)

Breath Control Game for Swimming Lessons

Writing about this activity has  “I Saw Esau,”  playing over and over in my head, a song made famous by the Ames Brothers in 1956!  At any rate, if you’re looking for a fun breath control game for swimming lessons that will take the monotony out of your rhythmic bobs, your learn to swim students will certainly enjoy this one:

This is not an activity for true beginners, as children would need to have some basic air exchange skills as a prerequisite for this activity.   It would work perfectly, however,  in the Swim Lessons University Swim Strokes 201 or 202 Lesson Plan though for sure!

 

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).

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October 18, 2016 at 3:07 am Comments (0)

Freestyle Kick Games for Kids

Do your students ever get bored, or even lazy while you’re having them practice their freestyle kick in swim lessons? Here’s a fun little game you can incorporate called “Cat and Mouse” that has proven to be both MOTIVATIONAL and FUN! 

For more detailed instructions on “How to Teach the Freestyle and Backstroke,” check out our “SWIM STROKES 201/202/203” video course!

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.

The Swim Lessons University Instructor certification is an internationally recognized alternative to the Red Cross WSI. And when you utilize SLU, you can even SPECIALIZE to teach in specific courses or you can certify to teach then all! Best of all, when you choose Swim Lessons University you can do all your training at your own facility or in the comfort of your own home, at your pace, and at a fraction of the cost!

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).

 

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October 5, 2016 at 2:38 am Comments (0)

At What Age Should Your Kids Do Sports?

Doing sports is quite important. There are many benefits to each and every physical activity. Exercises like yoga will help you stretch better and be more flexible overall. You will teach yourself proper breathing techniques which can help you in other physical activities.

Then you have anaerobic exercises, such as sprinting and aerobic ones, such as jogging. All exercise is designed to teach us something about ourselves and our bodies. The more we invest ourselves in sports, the better the quality of our lives becomes. This begs the question – when should you sign up your kids for doing sports?

What's a Good Age to Start Doing Sports

Building habits is quite challenging. We sometimes develop them on our own – especially if they are being lazy. Going to do sports, though, takes a bit of commitment, which is best taught at a young age.

And so, if you want your children to attend swimming or karate lessons, it's probably a good idea to take them there even when they are as young as three. Instructors are very much accustomed to working with youngsters and they actually enjoy it.

Plus, young kids are impressionable and they will develop the proper attitude to the sport they have chosen. Of course, now you have to ask yourself – do you want your kids to pursue a career in sport or would you rather have them sport for the sake of the activity.

Most parents have to choose between academia and sport for their offspring. There are no easy answers, but there is a practice that could help you make up your mind and decide. For starters, some parents have decided to only give kids pointers but never interfere in personal decisions.

What this means is that a kid can have his piano lessons and extra classes to do along with swimming or soccer training, but parents just take their kids to certain places and let them enjoy themselves rather than try to bind them in shackles to a single activity.

This is a recommended way to teach your kids and help them find what they truly love to do. Once they have discovered their passion, everything else will follow.

A Career Outside Academia

Now, some kids go on to become scientists, others are soccer players. For some, vocational jobs such as being a locksmith seem quite cool – and It actually is. Of course, not many people are immediately thrilled when their kids tell them they want to be locksmiths, but being very good at such an odd job has its upside.

If you are not sure this is the right path for your young adult you can call ASAP-locksmiths and learn more about the services locksmiths provide. Maybe when you get to experience how a great and successful locksmith company operates your mind will be at ease.

The truth is that no matter how much you insist your children do something, they can only be shown and given a reason to do something. The rest should be their decision only. You cannot force your kid into something and there is no reason to, to be honest.

Thinking About The Future of Your Child

The important thing is never to pressure the young ones into anything. Whether they love the sport or not, is entirely up to a child. Maybe your kids aren't hot on swimming, but they could be quite keen on basketball. They don't like that? There is also tennis to try, but also soccer, and even chess. Don't dismiss those “less” physical activities as well and get your kids a chance to try as many things as they like.

Of course, this will come with a bit of a drain on your finances, but then again, you shouldn't really try to sign up for every lesson out there. Instead, do things methodically. The reason why you should approach the matter this way is not only because of the financial side. No, you don't want your kid to be overwhelmed.

There is a simple truth that a kid should be left to their own devices – at least for a bit, so they can enjoy themselves as they see fit. There is no need to be a helicopter parent. Put this way: would you rather them be happy and find meaning or excel at all costs but forever be miserable?

October 5, 2016 at 2:26 am Comments (0)