Swimming lesson at funni (beach)

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File name: Beginner swimming lessons on the Island
Location: funni (Beach)
Observation by Rosa Rutland
Time 8:00 am in the morning.
June 6th 2019

Description of Activities
Observation at funni (beach) where the babies are taught how to swim. The lesson lasts around 45 minutes to an hour twice a week. Funni is an area specially designated for swimming lessons.
The sounds of cooing, cries and ‘mat, mat’ fill the shore. Mothers and babies dressed in a white long-sleeved, sun protective wear and eye protecting goggles walk to the ocean. The all-women swimming teachers wear a similar sun protective wear and hat. The teachers are scattered about in funni. A group of five mothers surrounds each swimming teacher. The mala funti (swimming teacher) begins singing a song along with the mothers as they begin the lesson. “Funti, funti” (swim, swim) the teachers and mothers continue singing as they raise the babies up and then down into the water to blow bubbles. Some of the babies already know what to do while others cry in panic. The teachers instruct and comfort the babies who are afraid.
After blowing bubbles for a while, the teacher of each group begins clapping her hands and singing a different song with the words, “pate, pate” (kick, kick) while the mothers hold the babies in a sitting position. This time, babies, mothers and the teachers sing as the babies kick for what it seems like a long time. Some babies kick, while others have their mother’s help. The babies who are good kickers receive praise by “gere” (good).
Next, the mala funti (swimming teacher) snap their fingers while the mothers make a line. The mothers of one group face the babies and hold their hands while the babies kick their legs this time on their stomachs. The mothers of another group hold the babies under their arms at a shorter distance away from the babies. Two other groups of babies hold on to one end of a floating board while the mothers hold the other end. The mothers and the teachers sing, smile and encourage the babies to continue their exercises.  
Then,  mala funti (swimming teacher) clap their hands again and the mothers go back to their circles around a teacher. The mothers take turns thrusting each baby in the water towards the teacher then return them to the mothers the same way. Some of the babies kick their legs and move their arms and reach their destination, while others have to be guided by the parent and teacher through this exercise. This exercise is repeated over and over until the babies kick their legs and/or move their arms to show a sign of progress.  
Finally, there is play time for the babies and mothers to socialize with each other in the water. Teachers bring toys for the babies to play. Initially, the mothers in the group talk to each other and play with the babies of the group. Then, some of the groups begin to deteriorate as different mothers from different groups also join in conversation and play. Finally, there is a whistle to signal that it is time to leave so the next group of mothers and babies have their lesson.
Reflection
            The swimming lesson time is in the morning during the work day hours. The lessons are twice a week in the beginning then more days are added as the babies get older. The swimming lessons begin when the babies are around nine months old. For the oktip, (people) is just as natural for the children to learn to swim as it is for them to learn to walk. Swimming lessons are taught in a very positive and collective partnership between the mother and the teacher. All of the activities include happy and encouraging songs. The groups seem to be divided according to the ability of the babies.
            The purpose seems to be that the babies show progress at each lesson since they learn to swim very quickly. The babies are gently encouraged to go to the next level and receive verbal praise when fulling the task. If a baby is not ready, the teacher and mother provide help as the baby completes the task.
            During the socializing time mothers connect with each other and allow the babies to begin early friendships. This time has also been known for mothers to arrange taking turns on babysitting for each other allowing them to have some free time to complete tasks at home, run errands or help mothers when they become ill.
Questions raised
1.     What do mothers of multiples babies do to make sure all the babies receive time for the lessons?
2.     Are there modification or accommodations for children with special physical needs?
3.     What do mothers do to ensure that there is no accidentally baby swapping since they all wear similar sun protective wear?  

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