Swimming Guidance learn/teach skills Module 6 for Mouth Blowing and Water on the Face and Head .... post 27



Learning to feel comfortable with water either splashing the face or putting the face into water is the most challenging to teach. Best is not to teach the obvious. Fun interaction, like throwing the ball so that it falls short of being caught causing water to splash onto the face and head causes attention on the ball. When the ball is thrown back we do not flinch when water splashes onto the face. Visually, a positive action

 

We teach, explain and demonstrate each skill precisely. As we speak an instruction we act it out exactly as we want it copied. Over exaggerate each action so that it is clearly heard and demonstrated to be copied
 

Counting up to three is a commonly used method which is understood that we are about to carry out an action. We have given an instruction so get ready so that on the count of three we shall work together to carry out this action
 

Counting is positive, rhythmic, trusting. Each and every time count slowly with a slight break in between ...  and one, and two, and three. When the counting up to three begins, without hesitation, follow through with the action.  This is another technique to build confidence and trust when teaching or learning
 

The repeated practice of slowly, rhythmically counting up to three before blowing soapy bubbles or a ping pong ball will quickly become a functional habit. The longer we blow our breath out the longer and deeper we can breathe in
 

Achievable goals of the progressions using the same breathing in technique to blow bubbles into the cupped hands, into a plastic mug are motivation to combine washing the face with water from the cupped hands and blowing at the same time
 

A further progression is to pour water over the head so that the water runs over the face and head at the same time blowing out so that the water is not sniffed in through the nose or breathed in through the mouth
 

Our goal is to continue blowing until there is no more water on the face to sniff or breathe in. We will cough when water is sniffed in through the nose or breathed in through the mouth. Stimulate coughing to clear the throat to show this to be a fun game
 

Water contained in small quantities is easier to learn/teach blowing skills. For this reason each tiny challenge is a short term achievable goal which stimulates adventure to more challenging skills
 

Learning/teaching bubble blowing techniques is used throughout the process of learning to swim as a basic and progressive skill, for co-ordination and for swimming strokes. Children are able to learn these skills from as young as 1 year old. We speak to and instruct a baby in the same way that we speak to and instruct any other person. Children up to adults, Special Needs, Disabled, water sports competitors can use all the skills mentioned in posts 4, 5, 7, 11, 13, 15, 17, 18, 19, 23
 

Learning to consciously take breaths in, blow breaths out, hold breaths is vital for confidence and safety in water. Without these skills for swimming, participation in diversified water activities and sports is limited. We will always ‘fear’ rather than enjoy being under water ....