Homework Suggestions

Here are some homework suggestions to help your child develop and advance through each level.

Each level focuses on specific areas for development and achievement. Our levels are organized as a progression, the skills building on each other from one level to the next. Therefore, homework from Level A1 may still be helpful to a child in Level 2.

Diaper Dolphins:

Practice blowing air out of mouth
In the bathtub, practice putting lips in water and blowing bubbles
Lay back in bathtub and submerge ears in water
During bath time, pour water over eyes, ears and face

Flippers:

- Submerge face underwater during bath time
- In the bathtub, practice putting lips in mouth and blowing bubbles
- Lay back in bathtub and submerge ears in water
- During bath time, pour water over eyes, ears and face
- Practice climbing onto bed, or pulling oneself up to a standing position, simulating climbing out of the pool
- Incorporate showers

Starfish

Submerge face underwater during bath time, holding breath 8-10 seconds
In the bathtub, practice putting lips in mouth and blowing bubbles
Incorporate showers often
Practice laying on back with ears fully submerged in water for 10-20 seconds
Practice the motion of “my tummy, your tummy” in the bath tub or at night before bed
Introduce “Rocket Arms” a Straight streamline body position

Level 1:

Play with sponges, buckets, or watering cans in the bathtub, start getting used to the feeling of water on the head, neck, shoulders, and face.
Practice holding breath with puffy cheeks.
Practice putting ears, eyes, nose, mouth, face, and whole head under the water (with the puffy cheeks)
Practice blowing bubbles in the bathtub or “blowing out the birthday candle under the water.”
Have child lay back in the bathtub with ears in the water (this is a very new sensation and may take a while to get accustomed to)
Practice blowing into straw, whistle, balloon, harmonica etc..
Incorporate showers – rain dance, peek-a-boo, Simon says!

Level A1:

Practice puffy cheeks in the bath tub and putting eyes in the water for up to 10 seconds
Blowing bubbles for 5-10 seconds
Lay on tummy and back and practice “airplane arms” with eyes/ears in the water
Practice the motion of “my tummy, your tummy” in the bath tub or at night before bed
Practice the up and down kicking motion with very straight legs (and knees) and practice pointing the toes with the kicking motion (this is especially helpful for boys, they have much tighter tendons and have a more difficult time pointing their feet)

Level 2:

Practice putting whole head under the water and blowing bubbles for 10 counts, come up and take a breath and repeat
Practice pushing up on the edge of the bed to help strengthen arms for climbing out of the pool
Practice reaching and pulling motion (my tummy, your tummy) in and out of the water
Lay on back in the bathtub with ears in the water and with hands by sides and practice finning or “patting pockets”
Lay on back and tummy off of the edge of the bed and practice kicking up and down with pointy feet and straight legs
Swimming Pool Sight Words/Treasure Hunt
Log Rolls: lay flat on back in streamline position (arms above head or down by side), roll from back to front, pause for 5, and front to back, pause for 5. Key is to roll over without lifting head – head should remain in neutral position (lift shoulders first)

Level A2:

Practice rolling over on the floor from front to back and back to front with arms stretched overhead to simulate roll over breathing
Lay on back in the bath tub or on the floor with hands by sides and practice patting pockets (finning )
Stand up tall like a solider with hands by sides and practice “zip, tee, zoom” movement.
Practice blowing bubbles for 10-15 counts under water to help build lung capacity
Log Rolls: lay flat on back in streamline position (arms above head or down by side), roll from back to front, pause for 5, and front to back, pause for 5. Key is to roll over without lifting head – head should remain in neutral position (lift shoulders first)

Level 3:

Stand up tall like a solider with hands by sides and practice “zip, tee, zoom” movement with arms.
Sit on the edge of a bed or a chair and practice “zip, tee, zoom” kick with legs –remember, toes are pointed up (flexed)!
Lay on side with one arm up supporting the head and the other arm down by the side and practice kicking (with pointy toes and straight legs) from side to side. Also work on balancing with the ear placed on the arm that is under the head and the chin tilted up towards the shoulder
Practice blowing bubbles out under the water for 10-15 counts, then rolling head to one side, taking a breath, rolling head back in the water and blowing bubbles out again
Lay on tummy with “rocket arms up” and practice pulling down to the leg and then making big rainbows from the leg back to the extended arm above the head. Alternate arms
Lay on back and practice reaching/extending arms as far overhead/behind the head as possible

Level 4:

Lay on side with one arm up supporting the head and the other arm down by the side and practice kicking (with pointy toes and straight legs) from side to side. Also work on balancing with the ear placed on the arm that is under the head and the chin tilted up towards the shoulder
While laying on side with one arm up and one arm down, practice the Scissor kick (the top leg comes up, steps out and whips back together with the bottom leg)
Lay on back and practice reaching/extending arms as far overhead/behind the head as possible
Lay on back on the edge of the bed with hands by side and practice “zip, tee, zoom” movement with both arms and legs
Lay on tummy on the edge of the bed with hands by side and practice “zip, tee, zoom” movement with arms and legs simultaneously
Dry Land: Superman/Cobra, Rocket Jumps, Free Kicks, and Hopscotch all help to incorporate balance, coordination, and swimming like movements

Level 5:

While laying on side with one arm up and one arm down, practice the Scissor kick (the top leg comes up, steps out and whips back together with the bottom leg)
Lay on back on the edge of the bed with hands by side and practice “zip, tee, zoom” movement with both arms and legs (remember, toes are pointed up (flexed)!)
Practice blowing bubbles out under the water for 10-15 counts, then rolling head to one side, taking a breath, rolling head back in the water and blowing bubbles out again
Practice rolling shoulders forward and backward, add an arm extension. Use shoulder roll to bring arm up and around, back behind the head and back down by side
Repeat out loud timing for the breaststroke – “pull, (breath), kick, glide!”

Level 5-8:

Endurance is key at these levels – we suggest push-ups, jumping jacks, sprints and crunches!
Various stretches that help loosen the joints and make the body more flexible are valuable too
Dry Land: Superman/Cobra, Rocket Jumps, Free Kicks, and Hopscotch all help to incorporate balance, coordination, and swimming like movements

Kicking for All Levels:

Practice pointing and flexing the feet. Discuss the difference in the two positions
Lay flat with back on the floor , lift legs an inch or two off the ground and point toes, count 1,2,3,4,5, rest and then repeat
Roll over on tummy and lift the legs an inch or two off the ground and point toes, count 1,2,3,4,5, rest and then repeat
Sit on edge of bed, chair or couch and practice whip “zip, tee, zoom” kick – don’t forget the glide!
Place top of feet flat on the floor and sit back on them. Exercise and stretch your ankles!