Stuck at home? That doesn’t mean your swim skills have to be on pause. Our team has put together a few “homework” assignments for our swimmers, ensuring they’re water-ready when we get back in the pool! (Don’t worry, we’ve included a few fun activities as well).
For our smallest swimmers in our Water Acclimation Program…
- In the bath: practice the “1, 2, 3 GASP” method, several times if possible. Gently pour cups of water over their head to continue their water acclimation process. Practice holding hand using the “harbor hold” that we do during our lessons. (And of course, please make sure to ensure proper safety in the tub, never taking your eyes off your child!)
- “Dry” exercises: for those in the Swimboree or Seahorse level, practice the starfish position that we use for the back float. Practice climbing onto a couch or bed or up the stairs – with supervision – to mimic the safe entry and safe exit that we practice in the pool.
- Watch our newest video on YouTube! Children love watching other kids doing activities, and this will remind them of some of the activities they do in the pool.
- Show your kids this fun video of “Tiny Turtle” on YouTube – click on the picture below – and sing our other favorite songs, like Wheels on the Bus and Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.
… and for our friends in our Water Survival Program…
- In the bath: consider laying your child in the bathtub with no water and while maintaining proper safety measures, read a story while slowly filling the bathtub until your child’s ears are in the water. Gently pour cups of water on their heads to keep them used to getting their face and head wet.
- “Dry” exercises: practice climbing onto a couch or bed or up the stairs – with supervision – to mimic the safe entry and safe exit that we practice in the pool. SAFELY jump off the bed or a small stool (one that is held steady) into a small pile of pillows or soft blankets. Practice your “Monkey, Airplane, Soldier” arms! For those in the Turtle 1 program, have your children practice the backstroke: pretend your hands are paintbrushes and “paint” the ceiling of your home, then move hands/arms in a circle by “washing your ears” and then smack your bottom to finish it off!
- Watch our newest video on YouTube! Children love watching other kids doing activities, and this will remind them of some of the activities they do in the pool.
…for those in our Stroke Development Program…
- Practice the freestyle: have your child stand an arm’s length away from the wall, then turn around so their back is to the wall. Reach back and touch the wall, then complete a full circle, one arm at a time.
- Stay in Shape! Sometimes it’s easy to forget what a great workout our kids are getting in the water. Make it fun by playing a game of “Simon Says” or “Mother May I?” and have the activities within it include jumping jacks, frog jumps or other silly movements to keep them moving. Find a fun yoga video on YouTube and get the entire family involved. GO OUTSIDE AND PLAY!
- Watch our newest video on YouTube! Children love watching other kids doing activities, and this will remind them of some of the activities they do in the pool.
…for our Special Abilities students in Dolphin 1 and 2…
As our programs are customized to the ability of each student, read through the suggestions outlined above to identify which are most appropriate for your child, as all of our students in this program have a customized curriculum. If none of these work and you’d like additional suggestions, reach out to us – we’ll gladly provide you with a few ideas to keep your swimmer excited about coming back to the pool!
… and just for fun!
We know that many of you are at home with many, MANY hours to fill up. Here are a few ideas to keep your children entertained!
- Download and print our Spring Coloring pictures – there are designs in here that work great for your littlest artists – and some that are more challenging for the older children, too!
Spring Coloring Pictures
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Make a paper plate jellyfish – with just a few materials that you have laying around the house, this is a fun craft for all ages – click the photo below for step-by-step instructions. Older children will love cutting the yarn and assembling the jellyfish, while younger ones can help with painting and and adhering the eyeballs.
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Take a quiz to learn more about sharks – National Geographic Kids is a fantastic website, filled with free activities that your kids will enjoy! We especially love the quiz – linked below – about Sharks. (Did you know that the whale shark can weigh as much as two African elephants? Wow!)
Take the Shark Quiz
We’d love to hear how else you’re practicing your swim skills at home, or any other fun activities that we can share with our swim families! Send us a note via Facebook – link below – and let us know!
We can’t wait to see everyone back at the pool!
