teaching children

Question
 I have recently started giving private swimming lessons to two children ages a boy age 6 & girl age 7 they are not brother/ sister.
 My problem is when they began the girl was more advanced than the boy so i slowed it down a bit for him and spent a few min. hepling him with the basics that the girl already knew. i constantly praised the girl for already being able to put her hesd under water & blow bubbles and encouraged the boy to do the same.
 i think the girl saw this as preferential treatment and wanted more of my attention and so at the next lesson she clamed to be scared of going under water. i took a few min to help her and this has a similar effect on the boy who was then scared to do something else he was able to do before. this is getting to be a vicious cycle that i need to stop before they end up claming to be afraid to get there feet wet.
 i have never pushed them to do something unless they both wanted to and were ready to do it. i am sure they are not genuinely afraid they both just want to be special.
 also they have very little dicipline in there homes and dont listen to a whole lot of what i say but they like me and we have made some progress.  can you help?  

Answer
Teaching private lessons can be as rewarding as it it frustratating. It is very difficult to teach lessons to two children of different levels.  Obviously it would be the best situation to teach them seperately but if you must teach them together you will need to create guide lines in the pool much the way you would with all children in any sport.  I would sit and explain to both the children and their parent/ guardian that they must follow your direction or the sessions will be unsuccessful.  The American Red Cross Water Safety Instructors guide has a great section on games to play with children which is a nice way to incorperate both their levels into one class.  Personally I would not choose to have two kids of the same level in the same lessons because I have almost always seen regression much the way that you are seeing now but if you must you will have to split the time up equally.  This may mean giving the other child a kick board to practice with next to you while you work with the other child.  (or giving them a safe activity where you can still watch and make sure that they other child is safe.) This is my best suggestion.  I know it is frustrating but the fact that you asked shows that you are a concerned individual who will make the right decisions! Good luck.