What Your Child Learns in Level 1 (or First Level) Swim Lessons
I have been hired to help redesign the swim curriculum at a facility I teach at. Using Red Cross safety standards combined with years of instructor experience, I will write new Swim Skill Level copy that will be used in fliers, brochures, newsletters, and websites.
An instructor or swim program uses Swim Skill Levels for many reasons: to communicate expectations, to organize by ability, to assess skills. It also gets the instructors or swim program on the same page, which casts a positive reputation to the community. I like to think families seek me out because they have heard I implement a solid learn-to-swim program. This comes from knowing Swim Skill Levels.
The information is as fresh as fresh gets as I just finished the final copy — below is what your child should be learning at Level 1, or Water Exploration. It is also known as “First Fins” in some circles — basically, any beginners class.
LEVEL 1: Water Exploration
Goals:
- Introduction to general pool safety rules. Demonstrate a rule (how to wear a life jacket) and describe a rule (always swim with an adult).
- Proper water entry and exit. Demonstrate independently using ladder or steps.
- Breath control. Demonstrate blowing bubbles through mouth and nose for 3 seconds.
- Underwater submersion. Demonstrate face and body going underwater by picking up underwater object 2 times (leads to bobbing skill).
- Front float. Demonstrate with assistance for 5 seconds, including recovery to a standing position.
- Front glide. Demonstrate with support gliding to and from the steps, student hands reaching for steps.
- Back float. Demonstrate with assistance for 5 seconds, including recovery to a standing position.
- Exploration of hand, arm & leg movements. Demonstrate front and back arm strokes and kicking (leads to treading skill).
- Swimming on front using alternating and simultaneous arm & leg action. Demonstrate combined stroke on front using any type of arm & leg movement.
- Swimming on back using alternating and simultaneous arm & leg action. Demonstrate combined stroke on back using any type of arm & leg movement.
- Changing direction. Demonstrate ability to switch direction while walking or swimming.
- Changing floating position. Demonstrate ability to roll over from front-to-back, and back-to-front with support.
Exit Skill Assessment:
Challenge #1: Enter unassisted, swim on front 5 yards, bob 5 times, and properly exit the water.
Challenge #2: Float on front with support for 3 seconds, roll to back with support, and float on back with support for 3 seconds.
If I were you, I’d print this out and use it as a guide. Next up is Level 2, Primary Skills; then Level 3, Stroke Readiness; and finally Level 4, Stroke Improvement. I will post all Swim Skill Level guidelines here. Laminate and leave lying around the pool.
Monday, March 31, 2008 at
I have been teaching children from 6monthes old to 80 yrs old for 35 years and everyone is different in mental and physical development. What I do know is that the earlier a person begins learning how to swim the quicker their water adjustment time is. It has been proven that babies have a natural instinct to close their mouths under water when they begin swimming as babies. I have had 2 year olds swim 25 yds of a pool and take breathes. It wasn’t the freestyle stroke as we know it, but it was swimming in a way that was comfortable and safe for these children. The earlier we allow little ones to experiement with buoyancy in the water the sooner they become comfortable. Moms and dads need to learn how to relax with their children in the water and help them to become accomplished swimmers and safe in the water.I do agree that children should NEVER be left alone to swim. NOT ONLY children but ADULTS too! The rule is ALWAYS SWIM WITH A BUDDY NO MATTER WHAT AGE YOU ARE. As a new grandmother and mother of children who are all swimmers and began learning how to swim as infants, I would never think of leaving children alone in the water and do believe that parents know that as well as they know that you do not leave children alone in a car or to cross the street and the list goes on for common sense safety rules for parents.The sooner a parent joins in a swim class the earlier they learn safety rules and how to make water pleasurable and fun for their children. water Play is a wonderful experience for children. Why wait for them to be in school before they have the opportunity to love the water?!As Aquatic program manager at the Osher Marin JCC in San Rafael, I offer numerous classes for children 6 monthes and above. Our teachers are well qualified to teach all levels of swimming and provide parent training in our infant classes. Just yesterday, I saw one of our Splash graduates in the water with his Dad. He is now 11/2yrs old and was jumping in and kicking a short distance to dad underwater. Everytime Dad picked him up, all I could see were smiles and giggles. What a reward for me to witness his progress after completing one of our swim courses!