Swimming

Last Friday, I did supply work in a Year 4 class. This is about Grade 3 back home. I took the class for swimming lessons. I had taken my class for swimming lessons last year, so it gave me a reference point for what I expected to happen. I was therefore really surprised with what did happen.

Surprise # 1:

All of the swimming instructors were fully clothed. Because they didn't get into the pool. While teaching 8 & 9 year olds. Many of the children could barely swim (the school is in an underprivileged neighbourhood, and many of the children had never taken lessons before). Yet the teachers stayed on the edge of the pool, and just shouted : “Take your feet off the bottom! Move your arms!”

Surprise # 2:

All of the weak swimmers put on armband floaties before getting into the pool. Most instructors that I know HATE armbands, as they offer a false sense of security, make kids dependent and get in the way.

Surprise # 3:

The weakest kids were being taught to doggie paddle. Kids do it. I know that they do it. But I have never seen it taught. The instructor was telling them “Make sure you keep your head high. Don't take your arms out of the water! I don't want to see anyone making circles with their arms!”

I know that in general, people have a tendency to think that what they know and have grown up with is the way that things should be done. And there is probably a lot of merit to this way of teaching. But I still think that when teaching swimming, you should get in the pool.