Water Confidence
Water confidence lessons will build on the skills and experiences gained through the water familiarization process.
Parental involvement is again essential in all elements of this stage in your child’s development in the water.
Should your child have continued difficulty or does not seem to like a particular task, switch to another one. Mix up the routine, introduce water games, and make everything dynamic, constantly encouraging them to try new “adventures” in the water.
Provide them with the maximum practice time available as the more time they spend in the water the better they will acquire the required skills.
The titles listed below offer advice on specific skills you can help your child to achieve in the water.
Objective: Water Confidence – Pre-School 3–5 Years
Water Safety Knowledge
Always swim with an adult.
Call for help.
Pool Safety rules.
Parent Education
ALWAYS – supervise children near water.
Getting In and Out
Enter and exit the water safely.
Sit on side of pool;
- Turn over onto stomach, place both hands firmly on pool side;
- Slide down wall while feet feel for pool floor;
- Hands remain in contact with pool side;
- Practise until confident.
Leave the water safely, confidently and unaided.
Ladder – one person at a time and use hand rail.
Push and Hook – push on hands and hook a knee over pool edge.
Breathing
Child blows bubbles at the water surface.
Use toys to blow along the water surface e.g. ping pong balls.
Child blows bubbles into the water, mouth and nose submerged.
Movement and Swimming Strokes
Demonstrate kicking and paddling action with parental assistance (holding hips) i.e. dog paddle.
Underwater
Child voluntarily submerges head fully in water and blows bubbles.
Survival Skills
Child experiences holding a floatation aid in shallow water i.e. kick board, ball, noodle, bucket with parental assistance.
Floating
Child floats on their back with parental assistance i.e. head rests on parents shoulder and hand under your child’s back for support.