As a swimming teacher, finding ways to keep children engaged while helping them learn essential skills is key to their progress. One simple yet powerful tool that can take your lessons to the next level? Songs! Adding music to your swimming sessions can turn learning into a fun and exciting experience, all while helping children develop their swimming abilities.
Why Music Belongs in the Pool?
Music isn’t just for entertainment – it’s a fantastic teaching tool, especially in the water. For children who may feel nervous or hesitant, songs create a sense of playfulness and relaxation. When you incorporate music, learning to swim becomes a fun game rather than a daunting task. Let’s dive into some of the reasons songs should be part of every swimming teacher’s toolkit:
1. Boosts Engagement and Focus
Children are naturally drawn to music, and using songs helps capture their attention and keep them focused during the lesson. Singing a song that involves actions like kicking, floating, or blowing bubbles creates a rhythm that kids can follow, making it easier for them to remember and practice specific movements.
2. Action Songs Reinforce Word Association
One of the most effective ways to teach children is through action songs. These songs connect specific movements with key words, helping children associate the action with the word. For instance, a song that emphasizes "kick, kick, kick" while they practice kicking helps cement the connection between the word and the physical movement. This builds both swimming skills and language comprehension at the same time.
Here’s an example of how you could modify the popular song "Row, Row, Row Your Boat":
*“Kick, kick, kick your feet, gently through the pool, Kick and splash, kick and splash, That’s the golden rule!”*
In this song, children are not only practicing their kicking technique, but they’re also hearing and associating the word "kick" with the action. Over time, this word-action association becomes automatic, helping children learn faster and retain their skills more effectively.
3. Repetition Reinforces Learning
Swimming is all about repetition – and songs are a perfect way to reinforce that. By singing songs that repeat specific actions, you’re helping children practice these movements without making it feel tedious. For example, a song that repeats “blow, blow, blow your bubbles” encourages children to exhale underwater and practice breathing control, all while having fun.
4. Smooths Transitions Between Activities
In swimming lessons, moving from one skill to another can sometimes cause confusion or loss of focus. Songs can act as cues for transitions, signaling when it’s time to switch to a new activity. A cheerful tune about floating can seamlessly lead into a session on back floats, while a song about kicking can set the stage for practicing leg movements.
5. Promotes Social Interaction
Singing together encourages social interaction and bonding between children in group lessons. It helps them relax, have fun, and feel more comfortable working together. Music has the power to build confidence and foster a sense of teamwork – essential ingredients for a positive learning environment.
6. Customizable for Any Lesson
Songs are not only engaging but highly versatile. You can take traditional children's songs and adapt the lyrics to match the skills being taught in each lesson. For example:
Here are five traditional songs adapted into fun, swimming-focused versions:
1. "Row, Row, Row Your Boat"
Swimming Version:
Kick, kick, kick your feet, Gently through the pool, Splashing, splashing, splashing, splashing, Swimming is so cool!
2. "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star"
Swimming Version:
Kick, kick, kick your little feet, Paddling through the water’s beat, Splash and swim, and float around, Look how strong you are, you’ve found! Kick, kick, kick your little feet, Swimming makes you feel so neat!
3. "The Wheels on the Bus"
Swimming Version:
The arms in the pool go splash, splash, splash, Splash, splash, splash, Splash, splash, splash. The arms in the pool go splash, splash, splash, As we learn to swim!
4. "If You're Happy and You Know It"
Swimming Version:
If you're ready and you know it, blow some bubbles (blub blub), If you're ready and you know it, blow some bubbles (blub blub), If you're ready and you know it, and you really want to show it, If you're ready and you know it, blow some bubbles (blub blub)!
5. "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes"
Swimming Version:
Arms, tummies, kicks, and blows, kicks and blows! Arms, tummies, kicks, and blows, kicks and blows! Move your body through the pool, Look how well you're doing—cool! Arms, tummies, kicks, and blows, kicks and blows!
These song adaptations are not only fun but reinforce key swimming techniques like kicking, arm movements, and blowing bubbles while making learning an enjoyable experience for children!
These familiar melodies make it easy for children to follow along, while the custom lyrics help reinforce the specific actions and techniques they’re practicing.
Dive Into Singing Success
Adding songs to your swimming lessons doesn’t just make them more fun – it enhances learning by creating word-action associations, encouraging repetition, and keeping kids engaged throughout the session. Whether you're working with beginners or more advanced swimmers, music brings an element of creativity and joy to the lesson, helping children progress in their skills with a smile on their faces.
Top Tips for Using Songs in Swimming Lessons:
- Pick familiar, simple tunes: Choose songs children already know (& the parents) so they can focus on learning the actions.
- Use action songs for word association: Pair key swimming terms like "kick," "splash," or "blow" with specific actions to reinforce learning.
- Encourage participation: Get the children involved in singing while they practice.
- Use songs for smooth transitions: Sing different songs to signal the start of a new activity.
- Customize the lyrics: Don’t hesitate to adapt popular songs to fit the swimming skills you’re teaching.
Final Thought
Incorporating action songs into your swimming lessons creates a dynamic, fun, and effective learning experience for young swimmers. Through music, children can engage with the lesson more deeply, build confidence, and learn vital swimming skills while enjoying every minute. So next time you’re planning your lesson, remember to add a song – or two – and watch your swimmers flourish!
Click HERE for a mini playlist of songs for the year.
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