
Communication
Visual vs. Verbal Communication
Children thrive on positive reinforcement, and swimming instructors can harness the power of communication to motivate and guide their young swimmers effectively. While verbal communication is vital, visual cues play a significant role in conveying information. In fact, Stepping Stones Swim School emphasizes an 80% reliance on visual communication and 20% on verbal communication.
Non-verbal communication elements to consider include:
Body Movements: Use hand gestures, nods, or head shakes to convey messages.
Posture: Your stance, whether you cross your arms or not, can communicate your mood and attitude.
Eye Contact: Establishing eye contact builds trust between instructors and swimmers.
Language: Beyond words, focus on aspects like pitch, tone, and speaking speed.
Facial Expressions: Smile, frown, or use other facial expressions to convey emotions.
Underwater Communication
Stepping Stones encourages effective underwater communication with these examples:
Thumbs Up: Use a thumbs-up signal as swimmers approach you to indicate they're doing well.
Pointing: Point upwards to signal the need to breathe or to the side for specific instructions during front crawl.
Engaging with Younger Swimmers: When dealing with young children diving for sinkers or jumping into the pool, make funny faces and encourage interaction underwater.
What Makes Stepping Stones Different?
Weekly Guides
Stepping Stones stands out by providing its teaching staff with weekly guides. These guides serve as a structured framework for lesson planning and include:
The Stroke to be Delivered: Each week focuses on a particular stroke.
Key Teaching Points: Three key phrases designed to maintain consistency in instruction.
Educational Questions: Promote understanding by asking questions related to the lesson.
Describe Demonstrate Do Ideas: Encourage visual learning through description and demonstration.
Target Distances: Specify the distances swimmers should aim for in their practice.
Education
Assessing Understanding
At Stepping Stones, the goal is not just to go through the motions but to educate each child. By ensuring that swimmers understand the 'why' behind their actions, they can actively work on improving their skills through self-discovery. Test their understanding at every stage of the lesson, and encourage them to share their knowledge with their parents, reinforcing the learning experience.
For example, for the back crawl stroke, focus on three key teaching points: head back, tummy up, and small, fast kicks. Be creative in assessing their understanding, such as asking them to recall teaching points out of order or using a "password" approach to proceed.
Describe Demonstrate Do
Stepping Stones keeps class numbers limited to enable teachers to instruct from within the water. This approach is grounded in the understanding that children are visual learners who benefit from mimicking movements and actions. Instructors should:
Describe: Provide detailed explanations of the technique or skill being taught.
Demonstrate: Offer visual demonstrations to help children understand what is expected.
Do: Recap the skill with key phrases and provide ample pool time for practice.
Parent Feedback
Stepping Stones encourages teachers and coordinators to share feedback with parents whenever possible. While time between lessons can be tight, strive to provide general class feedback after each lesson. This typically includes stating the stroke worked on and highlighting positive aspects, such as progress in breathing, arm movements, or body positioning. A simple thumbs-up to the parents can acknowledge that everything is OK as they collect their child.
Individual Feedback & Detailed Conversations
For specific feedback to parents, maintain discretion by speaking to them away from the group. Offer constructive advice or suggestions that can help the child's progress, such as practicing skills like "eyes under" and "bubbles in the bath" to reinforce the lesson objectives.
Office Feedback
Poolside coordinators play a crucial role in maintaining the quality of lessons. After each session, send a quick message via the app’s reporting buttons with a session update, which may include information on equipment storage, parent requests, or any noteworthy incidents that need documentation.
In conclusion, effective communication is the cornerstone of successful swimming lessons, ensuring that children not only learn but also enjoy the process. Stepping Stones Swim School's structured approach, focus on education, and feedback mechanisms exemplify the commitment to providing quality swim instruction. By embracing these principles, instructors and parents can collectively contribute to a positive and enriching swimming experience for young learners.