Fun ways to teach kids how to swim and dive.

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Request for Question Clarification by boquinha-ga on 22 Sep 2003 10:54 PDT

I'm not sure how old the children are that will be learning to swim
and dive. I have found a few resources. Please advise if this is
helpful. Or perhaps there is another researcher with firsthand
experience in the subject. Thank you.

An editorial on the value of teaching children to swim; also addresses
age
http://www.seaforyourself.com/Articles/SDjul97edi.html

An article with safety tips regarding diving
http://users.erols.com/nscia/newsroom/archive/disability/diving.html

I also found a message board (seems yours is a popular question) and I
found the comments by liz and Mark most helpful
http://www.tropicalpenguin.com/fitness/coaching/forum/messages/38.html

boquinha-ga

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Clarification of Question by bobritt-ga on 23 Sep 2003 05:10 PDT

Sorry for the Broad Ranged qestion, & thanks for taking time to do
what research you have already done.  I teach swiming to kids ages 7
to 12 at my local YMCA, (back breast free and fly),  I was just
looking for either some fun stroke drills for the kids to do, or games
to play in the water. And some good techniques for teaching frist time
divers how to dive and get over their fear of diving from the starting
blocks.  I guess I am looking for a new way to teach the same stuff so
the kids won't get bored.  I want to make it FUN.  Thanks again for
your help.

Hi...

Just a quick note to say that the *easiest* way to learn to dive (not
good form, but simple) ...is to have the kid/s stand alongside the
pool edge, arms raised in the dive position, and LIFT ONE LEG,
--BACKWARDS.  It's really hard NOT to dive using this simple method. 
They must not bend the knee of the leg that remains on the ground
though, and they must not jump.  It's good for getting young kids to
become comfortable with going into the water head-first...

Been there,
~~Cynthia