The Passing activity is a wonderful way to build comfort, trust, and confidence in the water for your little tot. It requires both the parent/instructor and the child to be comfortable in the water environment.
Setup and Preparation
<strong>Participants:</strong> Child, Parent/Instructor (or both).
<strong>Goal:</strong> To safely and confidently pass the child from one person to another while submerged or partially submerged.
<strong>Initial Position:</strong> The parent/instructor can hold the child in front of their body, keeping the child horizontal in the water. The child should be facing the parent who is ready to receive them, maintaining a smile and having arms outstretched for support.
The Passing Progression
This activity should always progress based on the child's comfort level. Start slow and build trust before increasing the difficulty.
Count "1, 2, 3, GO!"
Gently scoop the child forward and let go once the receiving parent accepts them.
The receiving parent should accept the child with palms up on the child's chest, or by catching them like a football (thumbs on the chest, fingers on the back).
Level Progression
Once the basic passing mechanics are mastered, increase the challenge using these levels:
- <strong>Beginner:</strong> Pass with the child's head up to the lips under the water.
- <strong>Intermediate:</strong> Pass with the child's head up to the NOSE in the water.
- <strong>Advanced:</strong> Pass the child fully submerged.
<em>Remember, patience is key! Never force a progression level before the child shows readiness and comfort. Celebrate small victories to keep the fun going.</em>
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