The ‘broomstick’ is a very versatile floatable swimming aid which we learn to control. The weight and strength of an adult is not sufficient to easily push and hold these two bottles down under the water. This marvellous swimming aid supports all ages at the surface of the water without causing fear of submerging, except by choice. This aid is safe to use for all ages
Always supervise use of ‘the broomstick’ when in use by infants and small children who might let go with their hands or arms. Support everyone during the orientation and early learning stages of learning to kick to prevent the body from sinking down under the water
Additional restrictive ‘floatation aids’ should not be
attached to anybody at any time as this defeats the objective of learning to
swim independently and ‘freely’
http://swimmingguidance.blogspot.com/2013/11/swimming-aids.html
post 14
Learning/Teaching swimming on the ‘broomstick’ is the first
step towards becoming independent of
support, our first step towards learning to and experiencing swimming ‘freely’
In a standing depth we can place the arms over the
‘broomstick’ to fit comfortably under the shoulders. The solid ‘broomstick’
supports the body across the chest. We can manoeuvre the ‘broomstick’ by
pushing or pulling our shoulders from side to side when we turn around. We use
our legs which will automatically manoeuvre to either turn around toward the
left or the right
As we move forwards off of a solid footing our legs are free
over deeper water to kick to stay on top of the water and to propel ourselves
forwards to wherever we want to move to on the surface of the water. Continuous
kicking of the legs is stimulated to prevent them from falling down under the
water
Unconsciously we learn to lift the hips without trying to
teach ‘the obvious’. This places the body in the correct position for swimming
on the surface of the water. This action stimulates use of our ‘core muscles’.
We manage our own ability and safety
Initially, with the arms over the ‘broomstick’ and around the
neck to re assure ability we stimulate self confidence.
We progress to support of and use the ‘hand holding technique’ then progress to merely being within reach to re-assure ability and skill with the arms over the ‘broomstick’. We only use our legs for propulsion
http://swimmingguidance.blogspot.com/2014/02/the-necessity-of-legs-only-during-basic.html
post 46We progress to support of and use the ‘hand holding technique’ then progress to merely being within reach to re-assure ability and skill with the arms over the ‘broomstick’. We only use our legs for propulsion
Encourage and ‘praise’ for each and every independent skill
action. Be aware that at this stage all support is either under the shoulders
or the hands. On the ‘broomstick’ all support is either under the shoulders or
by using the hands only .... the body is free at all times. This link is a
gentle reminder ....
http://swimmingguidance.blogspot.com/2014/02/swimming-guidance-learnteach-skills_21.html post 47
We can
now co-ordinate our breathing in and breathing out ‘bubbling blowing’ skills.
We lift the head when we breath in to put the face in the water to blow ‘moo’
bubbles
©
Set
short term goals for short term achievements. Stand further away from the
‘broomstick’ and encourage kicking to reach your hands
©
Slowly
move backwards in a circle to encourage continuous kicking and continuous
attempts to reach your hands. Motivate constant challenges which reach constant
achievements
©
Slowly
move backwards to each end of the swimming pool to touch the wall. The
shoulders will activate turns so that kicking continues towards another end of
the swimming pool. ‘Without teaching the obvious’ we learn to lead with the
shoulders, use our joints. These skills are invaluable for advanced swimming
skills and strokes
©
Be
within reach to motivate kicking back to and recovering a standing position in
a standing depth. This skill teaches ‘without teaching the obvious’ to recover
the feet from a swimming (horizontal) position on top of the water
©
Rhythmically
and continuously open wide big breath to blow bubbles while kicking
©
Place
toys along the floor of the swimming pool to identify by colour or shape as we
propel ourselves across the surface of the water
We are
having so much fun. We are too skilled to think about being afraid of water
depth. We do not want the lesson to end
We now
progress to the last stage of being supported in the water, holding the ‘broomstick’
with our hands. We are supporting
ourselves. Each direction we propel ourselves by kicking, each turn is
completely our choice.
Stretch the arms out forwards as though pushing the ‘broomstick’ away from the face. Co-ordinate breathing in and blowing ‘moo’ bubbles out into the water.
Observations
©
Only
the hands hold the ‘broomstick’
©
Bubbles
are expelled long and explosively
©
Eyes
are open under the water
©
The
body is horizontal on the surface of the water
©
The
arms and body are stable, not rocking, as though separate from the legs
©
Luca
looks comfortable in the water
We have learned many more life skills. Those already learned
are greatly developed and progressed. We are more independent, self confident, have
self esteem. We can participate in the water with all ages. We can play games
and have more fun!
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