In this level, the child is on a bubble, with the goal being to become comfortable in the water, and being independent. They must learn the following in order to pass to level 2:
Bubbles and More- Able to blow bubbles, and eventually putting their face in the water.
Independence: Must be comfortable to do a “running man” on their own. Eventually they will move from the running man to a horizontal position.
Off the bubble: They need to be able to do “swimmer paddle” without the bubble.
Many times, we have one person, maybe two, but we sell the program as 4 to a student. When you have two or more of the level ones, you have to be sure they do not get cold on the wall, classes must move quickly! Something that can help move classes quickly, you can take shorter turns, where you are having them get comfortable with the kids falling on their own in the water to prepare them for that falling feeling they will get with streamlines and dives.
Kicking on the wall!! If you have a kid sitting on the side waiting for a turn, have them kick on the wall, have them blow bubbles, make sure they are doing something! If you get some kids that are a little more advance level 1, you can have them take turns going all the way down and doing that “running man” pose independently. On the other side, have them do bubbles, kicking, independent treading.
They need to have fun. They are little and our goal is to get them to want to come back!!
