Description
This is the first vital step in a swimmers aquatic journey development. To gain this award we suggest the swimmer must have the ability and confidence to blow a series of bubbles into the water.
We suggest a full facial submergence for this award to be gained but this award can be adapted to your scheme or the individuals ability ie, Placing lips into the water to blow bubbles out, placing nose into the water to blow bubbles out or placing full face in to the water and blowing bubbles. You can also choose if the swimmer is stationary or in motion.
Additional needs
Children with any disability are always brave and even more so when experiencing a different sensation around their face, ears or mouth. Placing their face into water is a huge step and alters the way they see, hear and experience their environment around them.
Blow bubbles award celebrates the huge achievement of the child pushing outside their comfort zone to perform the task of blowing bubbles.
Depending on the capabilities of the individual this award can be adjusted by yourselves to the level of the individual and your scheme.
If a child has made big steps in placing their lips into the water to blow bubbles then the level of what a child has to do to achieve this award is determined by you.
Lesson ideas
If a swimmer can see someone else trying to do a task then they are more likely to try it too. If a teacher leads through example in the introduction of new areas to be explored it can break down the initial barrier of a swimmer not wanting to try it.
Group games are always good to encourage an individual to push outside their comfort zone.
If a child is reluctant with the water then start with self washing faces at the start of the lesson to get the initial wet sensation and progress from there.
Underwater mirrors are a good piece of equipment to use to encourage a swimmers face to enter the water and you can direct the swimmers bubbles by moving the mirror.
Once a swimmer has achieved bubbles in the water, you can increase the length they place their face in by the teacher counting out loud or swimmers counting in their head. It is best to secure this skill with a float for support before moving on to unaided swimming.
It may take months or years for a child to secure a single element that frightens them, so you may both get frustrated at times. Keep chipping away and remember small steps will achieve the overall goal.
