Red Cross Swim Kids 4 Lesson #1 – Dara's

Red Cross Swim Kids 4 

Lesson #1 

Duration: 30 minutes 

Time: ___________________ 

Equipment: Water noodles, kickboards 

Time 

(mins) Activity/Skill Formation 

5 Warm-Up 

Jump in, hold edge, 10 bobs 

Kick to other side or width using a kickboard 

Rhythmic Breathing 15 Times (Front Crawl Specific) 

15 Strokes and Drills 

Screen swimmers for RCSK 3 skills 

Front Glide with Flutter Kick 15m 

Back Glide with Flutter Kick 10m 

Side Glide with Flutter Kick 10m on preferred side 

Front Glide/Side Glide Combination 10m (Assisted), using kickboard (see page 2) 

Front Swim 10m 

Crescendo Kicking Drill 5m – 3 times 

- Alternate front/back, changing speeds 

5 Skills and Water Safety 

Entry Challenge (see page 2) 

Surface Support, Deep Water 20 sec 

- While performing surface support, swimmers give one rule of when and 

where to swim and can hold on to a water noodle 


Introduction to new RCSK 4 skills 

Back Swim with Shoulder Roll 15m 

- Exaggerated Shoulder Drill 5m (see page 2) – 3 times 

- Pyramid Kicking Drills 10m (see page 2) – 3 times 

Copyright © 2010 The Canadian Red Cross Society

Page 2 


Lesson #1 

TEACHING TIP: 

Remember the 3X (GST) rule when teaching strokes/skills. 

Do General corrections after entire group attempts item, then give Specific corrections for each 

swimmer. Follow with Try it again and apply corrections. 

Front Glide/Side Glide Combination 

Description: 

1. Swimmers may hold a kickboard in front if desired. 

2. In the front glide position, swimmers do a flutter kick while slowly exhaling with their face in the water. 

3. One arm pulls through the water into a side glide position. 

4. Swimmers take a breath to the side and then recover their arm back to the front glide position. (Arm recovery can be 

under or over water depending on the level of the swimmer.) 

5. Swimmers can repeat this combination with the same arm several times or can alternate arms. 

Entry Challenge 

Purpose: Review entries 

Description: 

1. Each swimmer picks a favourite safe entry. 

2. One swimmer demonstrates the entry, and the others repeat it. 

Exaggerated Shoulder Roll Drill 

Description: 

1. Swimmer performs a back glide with a kick, holding both arms at the sides and emphasizing rolling one shoulder 

out. 

2. The glide can then be repeated emphasizing the other shoulder and practising rolling from shoulder to shoulder. 

Pyramid Kicking Drills 

Description: 

1. Swimmers begin kicking at a slow pace and then increase the pace with each distance until peak pace is reached. After 

the peak pace is reached, swimmers slowly decrease the pace with each remaining distance. 

Example: 10m – 5 times – first length slow, second medium, third fast, fourth medium, fifth slow. 

2. Rests can be scheduled between sets. Swimmers can use a water noodle if desired. 

3. Drills can be used for 

a) front glide with kick 

b) back glide with kick 

c) side glide with kick 

d) a combination of glides, switching with every new repetition. 



Lesson #2 


Time: ___________________ 

Equipment: Pull-buoy, kickboards 

Time 



Self-Safety 

- Safe/Sorry (see page 2) 

Show How to Contact EMS/9-1-1: Have the swimmers respond to the following 

questions: 

What is EMS/9-1-1? 

When do you contact EMS/9-1-1? 

What services (ambulance, fire, police) are part of EMS/9-1-1? 

How do you contact EMS/9-1-1 in your community? 

- Swimmers do 5 bobs after each answer 


Self-Safety 

- Wise choices: swimmers identify safe swimming practices such as swimming 

distances parallel to the shoreline and measuring swimming ability in shallow water 

3 Fitness Activity 

Distance Swim 25m 

- Record the personal best distance for each swimmer 


Front Glide/Side Glide Combination 15m 


- Crescendo Kicking Drills (see page 2) 

- Exaggerated Shoulder Roll 15m (see page 2) 


Front Crawl 10m 

- Arms-Only Front Crawl with a Pull-Buoy Between Legs – focus on pull 

Front Glide/Side Glide Combination (see page 2) 


Page 2 



TEACHING TIP: 




Safe/Sorry 

Purpose: Reinforce facility-/site-specific safety rules 

Safety supervision: Ensure feet-first entries only 

Description: 

1. Have swimmers line up along the edge. 

2. Call out a variety of facility-/site-specific safety rules or unsafe activities (e.g., “You ran to your mother on deck,” 

“You looked for a lifeguard before you went in the water,” “You are still chewing gum”). 

3. Swimmers yell “Sorry” if the activity is unsafe. 

4. Swimmers yell “Safe” and jump in/enter if the activity is safe. 

Crescendo Kicking Drills 

Description: 

1. Swimmers begin kicking at a slow pace and increase the pace with each distance completed. Example: 3 × 10m 

– first length slow, second medium, third fast. 

2. Can be used for any of the following, with or without a buoyant aid: 

a) front glide with kick 

b) back glide with kick 

c) side glide with kick 

d) a combination of glides, switching with every new repetition 

3. Swimmers can rest between sets. 

Exaggerated Shoulder Roll 

Description: 

1. Swimmer performs a back glide with a kick, holding both arms at the sides and emphasizing rolling one shoulder 

out. 

2. The glide can then be repeated emphasizing the other shoulder and practising rolling from shoulder to shoulder. 


Description: 


2. In the front glide position, swimmers do a flutter kick while slowly exhaling with their face in the water. 



under or over water, depending on the level of the swimmer.) 






Time: ___________________ 

Equipment: Kickboards, sinking rings, water noodles 

Time 


2 Warm-Up 

Side Glide Water Noodle Race 

- Using a water noodle as an assist, have swimmers perform a side glide, relay fashion 


- Demonstrate first, then have swimmers practise 3 times 



Self-Safety – Safe Diving 

- Measuring Self-Safety (see page 2) 

Kneeling Dive 



- Streamliner (see page 2) 

- Vertical Flutter Kick (see page 2): emphasize continuous kick; use water noodle under 

the arm for support 

- Flutter Kick, with Kickboard: face in water; exhale; pull arm down; roll to side to breathe; 

roll face in water 


- Have one arm up above the head, one arm down by the side; have swimmers count 

“1, 2, 3” and then switch arm position 


Flutter Kick on Back 15m – 3 times 


Page 2 



TEACHING TIP: 




Measuring Self-Safety 

Purpose: Perception of water depth 

Description: 

1. Give swimmers one sinking ring each and have them throw them in at different depths of the pool. 

2. Discuss depth perception and its limitations. (Focus on measuring your personal depth for diving, based on your 

height, weight, and physical ability to control your dive.) 

Streamliner 

Description: 

1. Stack up 3 kickboards on the pool deck for each swimmer to lie on. 

2. Swimmers lie face down in a streamlined position with their midsections on the kickboards. They hold the position for 

10 seconds while tightening up their muscles. This promotes a good, streamlined front glide position and straight 

body for a front crawl. 

Vertical Flutter Kick 

Description: 

1. Swimmers do a flutter kick in a vertical position in the water. 

2. On your command, they speed up and slow down their kicks. 

3. To increase the difficulty, swimmers can hold their arms above their head or lengthen the duration of the kick. 

4. To make the activity more enjoyable, swimmers can pass an object around in a circle while they kick; the heavier the 

object, the more difficult this is. 





Time: ___________________ 

Equipment: Kickboards, water noodles, socks 

Time 



Show How to Contact EMS/9-1-1 

- The 9-1-1 Busters (see page 2) 

2 Warm-Up 


- Rhythm Circle (see page 2) 





Introduction to Sculling, Shallow Water 

15 Strokes and Drills: 



Front Glide/Side Glide Combination 15m, Using Kickboard (see page 2) 

- Multi-Kick Drill 10m – 3 times 

- Use 7- to 10-beat kicks (speeding kick up and down; rhythms improve coordination, 

awareness, and speed of kick) 

- Knock Your Socks Off 5 sec – 2 times 

- Give swimmers socks to put on their feet 

- Have swimmers hold onto kickboard or side of the pool 

- Tell them to try to kick their socks off 

- Emphasize pointed toes and straight legs 


Page 2 



TEACHING TIP: 




The 9-1-1 Busters 

Purpose: Practise contacting EMS/9-1-1 

Description: 

1. Review with swimmers some incidents in which people needed help. 

2. Tell them one way to get help is to call 9-1-1 (or a community alternative). 

3. Teach swimmers the 9-1-1 rap song (theme to Ghost Busters) 

When someone is in trouble and you don’t know what to do 

Who ya gonna call? (class says “9-1-1”) 

Who ya gonna call? (class says “9-1-1”). 

4. Have the class substitute specific situations for “trouble.” Have other swimmers lead the rap. 

5. This activity can be done as part of other activities, such as surface support and relaxed floats. 

Rhythm Circle 

Purpose: Practise rhythmic breathing 

Description: 

1. Have swimmers form a circle. 

2. Assign each swimmer a number, starting with 1. 

3. Swimmer 1 performs a bob. Swimmer 2 must imitate that bob and so on around the circle. 

4. Once everyone around the circle has performed a bob, Swimmer 2 performs a different form of bob. Everyone copies 

the bob. 

5. Repeat so that every swimmer has a chance to start the circle. 


Description: 


2. In a front glide position, swimmers do a flutter kick while slowly exhaling with their face in the water. 









Time: ___________________ 

Equipment: Bandages, pictures (or maps) of safe and unsafe swimming locations in the community 

(if available) 

Time 


NOTE: Complete a mid-session evaluation (optional). 


Self-Safety 

Local Swimming Conditions and Hazards (see page 2) 


Flutter Kick on Back 15m – 3 times 



- Bandage Activity (see page 2) 


Kneeling Dive 



- Back Sailboat/Shoulder Roll Combination 10m (see page 2) – 3 times 


- Multi-Kick Drill 10m (see page 2) – 3 times 


Page 2 



TEACHING TIP: 




Local Swimming Conditions and Hazards 

Purpose: Create awareness about local safe and unsafe swimming conditions and environmental hazards (e.g., spring 

melt that can result in high water, cold water, changes in water depth and sudden drop-offs, unsafe jumping/diving 

locations, etc.) and identify Prepare! Stay Safe! Survive! strategies 

Description: 

1. Ask swimmers to identify local water hazards and the conditions that make them hazardous at this time of year 

(provide pictures if available). 

2. Create a safety strategy with swimmers on how to avoid being at risk in these conditions and locations. Have 

swimmers identify what they need to know and do to prepare, stay safe, and also survive if at risk in these locations. 

Instruct swimmers to share this safety information with their family members. 

Bandage Activity 

Purpose: Practise surface support for 45 seconds and reinforce self-safety 

Description: 

1. Tape a bandage to each swimmer’s nose. 

2. Have swimmers enter the water and tread water in one spot without getting the bandage wet. 

3. Have swimmers give an example of self-safety (avoiding a dangerous situation). 

Variations: Party hats, paper in mouth 

Back Sailboat/Shoulder Roll Combination 

Description: 

1. Swimmers begin with a back glide with a high shoulder roll and then move into a sailboat glide with the arm at a 

90-degree angle. Remind them to focus on the transition from rolling the shoulder to bringing the arm out of the 

water. 

2. Each position is held for 3 seconds before switching to the other arm. 

Multi-Kick Drill 

Description: 

1. In a single stroke cycle, swimmers normally kick 6 times (3 kicks per arm pull). 

2. For this drill, use any of the following kicking rhythms to improve coordination, awareness, and the speed of the kick: 

4-beat kick 

6-beat kick (normal cycle) 

8-beat kick 





Time: ___________________ 

Equipment: Toy phone, variety of toys and rescue equipment, hoops, kickboards, pull-buoys 

Time 




- Practise EMS/9-1-1 phone call with a toy phone 

- In the call, include your name, your location, what has happened, and the 

telephone number you are calling from 

2 Warm-Up 

Obstacle Course (see page 2) 






Kneeling Dive, Through Hoops – 3 times 



Sharks and Minnows (see page 2) 


- Arms-Only Front Crawl 10m (see page 2) – 3 times 

- Kicking Competitions (see page 2) – 3 times 




Page 2 



TEACHING TIP: 




Obstacle Course 

Purpose: Increase endurance to 25m 

Description: 

1. Set up an obstacle course using a variety of equipment (e.g., swim through hoop, under PFD/lifejacket, over a 

bench) 

2. Demonstrate how to move through the obstacle course. 

3. Have swimmers swim the course. 

4. Have swimmers develop their own obstacle course in later lessons. 

Variation: Adapt equipment to class ability 

Sharks and Minnows 

Description: 

1. Specify boundaries for the game. 

2. Appoint 2 swimmers to be the shark or “It.” Call out “Minnows,” and the rest of the group (minnows) swims from one 

edge to the next. 

3. Those who get tagged by the person who is the “shark” become part of the “taggers” (sharks). 

The game continues until everyone is tagged. 

Arms-Only Front Crawl 

Description: 

Swimmers use arms only to propel themselves through the water with any combination of a pull-buoy. 

Kicking Competitions 

Description: 

1. Divide the class into pairs and give each pair a kickboard. 

2. Swimmers hold opposite ends of the kickboard as they do a front float, facing each other. 

3. Swimmers flutter kick as hard as they can to attempt to push their partner backward. 





Time: ___________________ 

Equipment: Kickboards, socks, water noodles 

Time 



Self-Safety 

- As swimmers enter the water, they must tell the Instructor a self-safety rule 

6 Warm-Up 

Follow the Leader (see page 2) 


- Swimmers use water noodles to support their legs while they work on their 

hand position 


Flutter Kick on Back 15m 



- Shoulder Roll on Back, Across Pool – 3 times 

- Exaggerated Shoulder Roll Drill 10m (see page 2) – 3 times 

Jumping Sponge Bobs (see page 2) 


- Vertical Kick: kick in a vertical position with buoyant objects under the arms for support 

- Knock Your Socks Off: kick as hard as possible, trying to remove socks on your feet 


- Signal Kick, on Back (see page 2) 


Page 2 



TEACHING TIP: 




Follow the Leader 

Purpose: Review shallow-water skills 

Description: 

1. Swimmers follow you through the shallow end and repeat your actions as you perform a series of activities (e.g., log 

rolls, somersaults, lying on bottom). 


Description: 

1. Swimmers perform a back glide with a kick, holding both arms at the sides and emphasizing rolling one shoulder 

out. 

2. The glide can then be repeated, emphasizing the other shoulder and practising rolling from shoulder to shoulder. 

Jumping Sponge Bobs 

Purpose: Development of physical strength 

Description: 

1. Swimmers line up against the wall in the shallow end. 

2. On the word “Go,” they do jumping bobs (going as low as they can in the water and jumping as high as they can, 

pretending to catch flies with their mouth) across the pool. 

3. Swimmers return to the original side, then repeat the activity. 

Streamliner 

Description: 


2. Swimmers lie face down in a streamlined position with their midsections on the kickboards. They hold 

the position for 10 seconds while tightening their muscles. This promotes a good, streamlined front glide position and 

a straight body for a front crawl. 

Signal Kick 

Description: 

1. Swimmers kick with a kickboard at a slow to moderate pace and then kick as fast as they can when you signal. 

2. Swimmers continue kicking hard until you signal again, and then they return to slow to moderate kicking. 

3. You can choose any kick for this drill and any duration between signals. 

4. Swimmers kick continuously throughout the drill until you choose to end it. 





Time: ___________________ 

Equipment: Water noodles, sinking objects 

Time 




- Target Dive (see page 2) 




Front Glide/Side Glide Combination 15m (see page 2) 


- Partner Water Noodle Back Swim (see page 2) 



6 Fitness Activities 




- Divide swimmers into 2 or 3 waves; swimmers kick together in a line passing an object 

back and forth 


Page 2 



TEACHING TIP: 




Target Dive 

Purpose: Emphasize that hands enter the water first during a kneeling dive 

Safety supervision: Perform in deep water only, target object on the bottom of pool should be at least 2.5m away from 

the starting edge 

Description: 

1. Place a target object (one for each swimmer) on the bottom of the deep end. 

2. Swimmers point their hands toward the target as they dive in. 


Description: 




under or over water depending on the level of the swimmer.) 


Partner Water Noodle Back Swim 

Description: 

1. Swimmers hold 1 water noodle between partners while kicking across the pool on their back. 

2. Repeat, holding the water noodle higher. 





Time: ___________________ 

Equipment: Kickboards, buckets, sponges, index cards, fins 

Time 


3 Warm-Up 

Kickboard Pile High Relay (see page 2) 





Self Safety – Safe Diving 

- Pick a Card (see page 2) 





- Scuba kick with the aid of fins 




Sponge Relay on Back 15m (see page 2) – 3 times 


Page 2 



TEACHING TIP: 




Kickboard Pile High Relay 

Description: 

1. Divide swimmers into 2 teams. 

2. Make 2 piles of kickboards on the far side of the pool. 

3. The first member of each team swims over, grabs a kickboard, and returns. 

4. The next member of each team swims over with the kickboard, picks up a second kickboard, and returns. 

5. The relay continues until all kickboards are retrieved. 

Pick a Card 

Purpose: Review water safety knowledge 

Description: 

1. Show index cards with pictures or descriptions of sites where swimmers should and should not enter the water. 

2. Ask swimmers to identify what types of entries are safe (if any) to perform at these sites. Prompt swimmers to 

identify what they need to do to check the depth of the water for safe diving prior to dive entries. 


Description: 






Sponge Relay on Back 

Purpose: Develop endurance to 15m 

Description: 

1. Divide swimmers into teams. Position each team across the pool from a bucket and sponge, which are placed on the 

pool deck. Ensure that the distance between the bucket/sponge and the swimmers is between 5 and 15m. 

2. Swimmers kick one or two at a time on their back to the sponge, get it wet, roll over, and squeeze it into the bucket. 

Swimmers then return, doing a flutter kick. 

3. The winning team is the one that fills the bucket first. 



Lesson #10 


Time: ___________________ 

Equipment: Kickboards 

Time 




- While performing surface support, have swimmers tell you situations for which 

they would call EMS/9-1-1, call parents, or handle themselves 






- Kicking Competitions (see page 2) 

- Exaggerated Shoulder Roll Drill 15m (see page 2) 



5 Review 

Work on skills requiring further development for this level or the next level. 

1 Evaluation Records 

Hand out a progress card to all swimmers and a completion badge (recognition item) 

to swimmers who have successfully completed all performance criteria in RCSK 4. 

Hand out Personal Best Fitness stickers (awarded for distance achieved). 

Encourage swimmers to continue to practise their swimming skills and to register for more 

Red Cross Swim Kids lessons. 


Page 2 


Lesson #10 

TEACHING TIP: 




Streamliner 

Description: 


2. Swimmers lie face down in a streamlined position with their midsections on the kickboards. They hold the position for 

10 seconds while holding their breath and tightening their muscles. This promotes a good, streamlined front glide 

position and a straight body for a front crawl. 


Description: 






Kicking Competitions 

Description: 

1. Divide the class into pairs and give each pair a kickboard. 

2. Swimmers hold opposite ends of the kickboard as they do a front float, facing each other. 

3. Swimmers flutter kick as hard as they can to attempt to push their partner backward. 


Description: 

1. Swimmers perform a back glide with a kick, holding both arms at the sides and emphasizing rolling one shoulder 

out. 

2. The glide can then be repeated, emphasizing the other shoulder and practising rolling from shoulder to shoulder.

Red Cross Swim Kids 4 Lesson #1 – Dara's

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