Swimming Guidance learn/teach skills Module 9 of 16 to Pick up toys with face in the water .... post 40

A little introduction ....

Uncertainty requires going ‘back to basics’ which in turn requires repeated skills practice as demonstrated in         http://swimmingguidance.blogspot.com/2014/01/swimming-guidance-learnteach-skills.html  post 33

The ability of this advanced swimming skill must be proficient, comfortable and safe so that we can co-ordinate the skills with ‘kicking’ to reach our ‘goal’ of being able to swim

http://swimmingguidance.blogspot.com/2014/01/swimming-guidance-learnteach-skills_20.html post 37  and

http://swimmingguidance.blogspot.com/2014/01/swimming-guidance-learnteach-skills_24.html post 38

When we combine these skills we are able to choose to enter a water environment in which we are consciously aware that we are able to manage ourselves without fear of danger. We can now confidently participate as an individual or within a group knowing our boundaries and limits in and around water.  We too are then able to swim on top of or under the water, without assistance

Basic skill ....

Visually we see that during orientation we stand and walk on the shallow to deeper steps http://swimmingguidance.blogspot.com/2013/12/swimming-guidance-learnteach-skills_18.html  post 26

Our balance and confidence developed. We learned to push against the resistance of the water which became greater with each change in water depth. We know the ‘feeling’ of resistance and the ‘feeling’ of pushing against water

These skills are now familiar to us. We know how the ground feels under our feet, how to put our feet back onto the ground when we are able to stand with our heads out of the water

The ‘Hand Holding Technique’ acts as a support to assure us of being safe. This method of support acts as a lever to pull or push or stabilize ourselves each time we attempt a new skill

To learn to pick up a toy with the face in the water, first we stand on the shallow step. Slowly, rhythmically we count audibly 'and one and two and three open wide big breath' in through the mouth then bend forward to put our face in the water blowing ‘moo’ bubbles out of the mouth while we look for a toy which we reach for with the free hand to pick it up .... We stand up again. Follow this routine each and every time

This basic skill has many progressions which we can create in the form of games, short term goals set for short term achievements. With repetitive practice we focus on the toys, not on ‘blowing bubbles’. We are holding our ‘breath’. This is a new skill, a progression learned ....

Suggest the colour of a toy to pick up ....

Suggest touching first one colour then the next while the face is in the water
Suggest counting the toys while the face is under the water (this encourages extended submerging of the face)
Suggest picking up different shaped submerged toys/sticks/rings

Repeat all the skills without the support of the ‘Hand Holding Technique’ ....

Advanced skill ....

Step into a deeper water level. We will feel the resistance of the water against the body when we bend forward. The ‘feeling’ is the same as when we push our face and head into the water. We know what to do, just push against the resistance of the water

In the deeper water repeat and practice all the skills learned and achieved when standing in shallow water

Learning to pick up toys at different depths with the face in the water without wearing swimming goggles on the eyes is the greatest and most valuable achievement of all the skills learned in water. No other person can achieve these skills for us. We ‘look’ under water without fear ....

Wearing swimming goggles means that the skill of picking up toys with the face in the water is not yet learned, that there is a conscious fear which needs to be overcome, a ‘goal’ and ‘achievement’ which can be reached through ‘choice and thought’ ....

 
Such a freedom of independent spirit we are learning and teaching ....