Description
This award is one of the most important first and hardest steps in swimming, the ability to float is also an essential life skill.
Letting go of the side or an adult can be frightening, so this award celebrates the building up of the swimmers confidence in the water.
The ability to raise their legs off the floor or from underneath them, and bring their feet/body to the water surface can be a significant challenge.
This achievement is awarded when a child can regularly hold a stable floating prone position with aids. It also celebrates the success of getting their chin close to the water as well as their body in a flat and relaxed manner.
Additional needs
Self confidence is often the key. Children may struggle to communicate verbally or be aware of their surroundings so it is important that they feel relaxed and above all safe. By floating and trusting both themselves and the adult they are with enables them to move away from them. This award celebrates both the trust they have gained in themselves and others.
For children with a physical disability, floating is key in balancing their bodies in water allowing them to progress with ease.
Children with a visual impairment may well need additional support in feeling trust to hold a position.
Children with learning difficulties may find this stage of floating challenging with them being alone and unsupported. This is a stage not to be under estimated, as once able to support themselves and be comfortable in the position this will aid progress.
Lesson ideas
This can be a very hard thing to achieve for some little ones who have a fear of water or don’t like the water around their face. Games need to be as fun with a lot of enthusiasm from the teacher, assistants and parents. A child is more likely to complete the task if they are following an adults lead.
We suggest firstly building up distance between the parent and swimmer. The swimmer can hold onto the parents out stretched finger on both hand, parent can then lower their chin to the water encouraging the swimmer to do the same. Maintaining eye contact for confidence. Ideas for games include Simple Simon says or placing a mirror in the water to see themselves or sunken objects for them to look for.
Games can include songs like twinkle twinkle little star, where the swimmer can imitate a star shape or, a game to imitate animals from elephants with their trunks swaying (arm), giraffe (with extended arm above head), to a tortoise/turtle with neck stretched out and limbs splayed.
Another game can be a big breath breathing game which can help focus and maintain calm in a nervous swimmer. The swimmer has to move slowly from an upright position to a horizontal position on their front (chin on water) without the teacher seeing them. Its all about controlling the movement and breathing.
Swimmers can also be asked to go collect floating objects and like musical statues they must stop when the singing stops and float.
If a child really struggles the parents can help the swimmer by practicing in the bath at home. Encouraging the swimmer to turn onto their front and get used to the water around their face/ears. Parental supervision is essential.
