What Swimming Is Teaching Me

About Schooling

Chris Kennedy@chrkennedy

West Vancouver School DistrictNovember 19, 2014

Vancouver, BC

I love to watch my kids play sports – it is probably my favourite thing in the world

I played a lot of sports growing up – I wasn’t very good but I did love to compete.

For whatever reason – one sport that my kids have really got into is swimming

They are not going to the Olympics, but they will swim all summer

While I knew a lot about hockey and basketball – swimming and swim culture has been new to me.

Crap – this is good – I wish school was more like swimming

When kids are grouped – age and ability matter.

Reporting clearly separates skills and work habits

Parents are expected to lend their expertise but not be the coaches

Older kids are expected to work with younger kids

Kids work as individuals and as part of a team

There are at least 6 or 7 practices to every competition

Coaches share a practice plan in advance and then post it publicly

Coaches give constant feedback

When there are competitions most kids are obsessed with their own best times

Nobody talks about averages

Kids are ridiculously engaged.

Sports have a lot of challenges

Sports are trying to largely connect in new ways – just like schools

Whether in the classroom, gym, field or pool – hopefully we are all working to build some forever skills