This Friday is Career and Hobby Day at my son's school. Most likely I will be put in a kindergarten class to speak for 15 min on swimming as a hobby. I have to repeat this 6 times (for each class). There is a chance that my coach, Jeremy Linn, will also come and he and I will share the time. But, in case something comes up, I need to be prepared to do all 15 min. Any suggestions as to what to do? What to say to 6 year olds about swimming? I do have photos of me swimming while growing up. I'm not sure what else I will bring. Maybe a few pairs of old goggles (I have about 10) and they can all put them on.
Oh and the guidance counselor suggested I bring my parka, too. I guess the kids could try that on as well. And I'll have my gear bag with snorkel, fins, zoomers, kick board, etc.
I think trying on your equipment will be a big hit for the kids. Safety around water is definitely a good topic. It's amazing how many people never learn to swim. Maybe you can bring some materials about where kids can sign up for swimming lessons in your area. I like the idea of trying to promote swimming as a lifelong activity and the need for exercise, but I think this one's going to be hard to get across to six year olds!
Thanks all. I will keep these in mind. The pictures I was going to show will be on a slide show playing while I'm talking. Now if Jeremy is there, I will have pictures of him as well. Of course, he will be bringing his Olympic medals as well. I think the kids will like that.
Keep the ideas coming.
Show a picture of some guy riding a monster wave at Jaws --- "If you'd like to do this some day you need to be a good swimmer."
Or maybe you could walk into the room with your swim fins on.
Just spitballing here. :)
MEDALS. Take lots of medals. To a 6-year old, a medal from a Masters meet is probably just as cool as an Olympic medal.
I have a friend who saves all of his Masters medals for his grandkids. When they do something good, or reach some sort of goal, he gives them a medal.
Gear it towards your audience - these are little kids!
I would go light on content and make it about fun. Yes, bring your swim gear. Touch & feel is always a big hit! How much talking do you really intend to do? I would probably talk about 5 minutes, then play swimming themed games. For instance, do a match up game with swim terms on one side and match to the definition on the other (like swim safety or something). Then write NATATORIUM or SWIM FOR LIFE and then give them 5 minutes to make as many words out of those letters and the winner gets a cool prize, like a pair of goggles.
My kids tell me that the biggest hits are live animals (#1), snacks (#2), and cool stories (like the ENT who told story after story about what people put up up their noses and in their ears. You will never look at a McDonald's french fry the same way again.)
My husband and I decided if ever we had to talk about the bankruptcy profession, to compete for attention with the SPCA and ENTs and radiologists (PG rated stuff, not like the stuff my sis tells and SHOWS me!!), we are going to bring a dog (totally unrelated to the topic) and snacks of some sort. Probably candy!
I suggest bringing Goldfish crackers, swedish fish, or gummy sharks for the kids!
Gear it towards your audience - these are little kids!
I would go light on content and make it about fun. Yes, bring your swim gear. Touch & feel is always a big hit! How much talking do you really intend to do? I would probably talk about 5 minutes, then play swimming themed games. For instance, do a match up game with swim terms on one side and match to the definition on the other (like swim safety or something). Then write NATATORIUM or SWIM FOR LIFE and then give them 5 minutes to make as many words out of those letters and the winner gets a cool prize, like a pair of goggles.
My kids tell me that the biggest hits are live animals (#1), snacks (#2), and cool stories (like the ENT who told story after story about what people put up up their noses and in their ears. You will never look at a McDonald's french fry the same way again.)
My husband and I decided if ever we had to talk about the bankruptcy profession, to compete for attention with the SPCA and ENTs and radiologists (PG rated stuff, not like the stuff my sis tells and SHOWS me!!), we are going to bring a dog (totally unrelated to the topic) and snacks of some sort. Probably candy!
I suggest bringing Goldfish crackers, swedish fish, or gummy sharks for the kids!
Hey, Chowmi, I don't have kids or work with kids, and, for that matter, don't know squat about kids! I love your ideas, though, and think they are spot-on. Thinking back 43 years ago, I would have loved all that! :applaud:
This Friday is Career and Hobby Day at my son's school. Most likely I will be put in a kindergarten class to speak for 15 min on swimming as a hobby. I have to repeat this 6 times (for each class). There is a chance that my coach, Jeremy Linn, will also come and he and I will share the time. But, in case something comes up, I need to be prepared to do all 15 min. Any suggestions as to what to do? What to say to 6 year olds about swimming? I do have photos of me swimming while growing up. I'm not sure what else I will bring. Maybe a few pairs of old goggles (I have about 10) and they can all put them on.
Oh and the guidance counselor suggested I bring my parka, too. I guess the kids could try that on as well. And I'll have my gear bag with snorkel, fins, zoomers, kick board, etc.
I would start off with the #1 thing. Safety around the water, whether you're at the river, pool, backyard kids plastic pool, etc. Don't scare them, but just remind them that they need to be with an adult supervisor.
Let then know this is something they can fo for life, not like a lot of other sports that can injure them & water safety & fun. Bring lots of old goggles to try on
Run them through a pre-race dynamic stretching routine (e.g., get them moving)
Show them the armstrokes and have them repeat them for you while standing ... correct (in a light and fun way) their form.
Then bring along a projector and show them what they get to do if they get REALLY fast -- www.floswimming.org/.../106270-5-the-auburn-puke-session.
Talk about all the cool places you've traveled for swimming
Chowmi's idea to bring a dog is great. Show them what dogs can do in the water (www.dockdogs.com/index.php, but let them know they'd have to learn to swim first to teach their dogs these cool tricks.
OK ... maybe the third idea's a little much for 6 year olds.
I found some water drop stickers today. I'm going to give them out. Still in search of pencils or rubber duckies. But since there are 162 kids in the kindergarten, I'm having to hope for a bargain.
