Beginning/Novice Swimmers: These are: National Level Red VIA Level Red, Red-Orange, & Orange ARC Level I & II YMCA Level Pike & Eel

Blowing Bubbles Blowing Bubbles has never been easier when using mini- animals who fly, jump, run, and gallop. Critter Bubble Blowing (“Easter Eggs”) *see next slide for video clip. Blowing bubbles through a straw (cut straws into 4ths; send them home with the students to practice in the bathtub, Jacuzzi, etc.).

Critter Bubble Blowing

Hula Hoop Jumping: Instructor holds Hula Hoop on top of the water (or at any level). Students jump from step, into the Hula Hoop. Begin moving the Hula Hoop at different angles until it is perpendicular to the water. Students jump through Hula Hoop at each new angle.

Jump Over Bridge: Noodle with bungee cord; hooked on lane-lines. Students jump from step, over “bridge”.

Pencil Legs Kicking with straight legs. Speedo Kicking Coach: helps train students to use straight legs.

Barbells & Noodles Kicking with straight legs; Speedo Kicking Coach. Barbell: homemade. Noodles: helps with balance.

Barbells & Noodles Many students can participate at the same time.

Beginning Arm Movements Foam Fruit: students throw their fruit, reach and “cup” the fruit, then pull it back to them; repeat; remove the fruit, repeat the sequence, teacher reminding the student “cup of peaches” (or whatever fruit they used).

Beginning Arm Movements Foam Fruit: students throw their fruit, reach and “cup” the fruit, then pull it back to them; repeat; remove the fruit, repeat the sequence, teacher reminding the student “cup of peaches” (or whatever fruit they used). Walking Arms:

Beginning Arm Movements Ball/Toy Throw: – Student throws a toy or a ball some distance away from them. – The student must walk doing arm motions to go pick it up. – The student may swim to it, pick it up, and then throw it in another direction.

Beginning Arm Movements Barbell: students hold barbell with one hand while stroking with the other (“Down in the Water, Up to the Sky”); repeat on both sides.

Going under the water: Instructor assisted rings: – Hold ring within arm’s reach. – Hold ring so child must put chin in the water to reach it. – Hold ring so child must put nose in the water to reach it. – Hold child’s hand while they reach for the ring. – Child squats or sits to pick up ring.

Floating Toy Box: (movement, swimming, spatial awareness, perception, social awareness) The students are all on the side of the pool. The teacher throws floating toys around the pool. Each student collects one toy at a time; uses a swim skill (i.e. placing it on a kickboard, placing it on stomach) to return it to the side of the pool. Option: place toy in a designated area, floating hoop. Students do not start moving around the pool until the teacher says, “Go”.