Calm Down and Listen

I was teaching a baby class, filling in for another girl, so I don't know these children, at all.

There was one child (there’s always one) who was just exceptionally naughty in this class. He wouldn't wait for mum to be ready, he would try to run away, he splashed excessively and tried to kick his mum and the other swimmers in the class.

It got to the point where even his mum was getting frustrated and upset that he wouldn't calm down and listen. I was being very understanding and let her have some space from the rest of the class so he wouldn't disturb the other kids.

We were about two thirds of the way through the class when we got to our independent movement activity (pretty much just where you put a whole bunch of floaties on the kid so they can swim by themselves and let them collect some floating toys in the water).

This mum was at peak frustration at this point, her little boy was trying to throw his floaties at other kids and just plain old cause as many problems as possible. He was clinging on really tight and the mum was about two seconds away from giving up and getting out, so I went over to them and just told the mum to give him to me so she can have a rest.

She agreed straight away of course, but regretted that instantly.

I took the boy from her and took a few steps away (strategically, so the mum couldn't just grab her son straight away), and then I dropped him in the water.

Don't freak out, he was wearing enough floaties to keep him on top of the water, the activity is more about balance and movement not floating.

But the mum had an absolute heart attack!

Like hilariously massive freak out! It was amazing. (am I am bad person?)

So, the mum freaks out and the kid is fine, and I reckon the mum was about to grab the kid and tell me off when...the dad on the side of the pool yells out and goes:

“Look at that! How good is that! Look at him go!”

This dad literally saved my life (okay, okay; exaggeration).

His enthusiasm for what I had just done encouraged the mum to let go a bit and encouraged the kid to behave and swim properly, because then he got some praise!

Overall, I think a very successful lesson.