Water comfort (skill)
Definition: The primary goal of a parent tot class is to increase the comfort and familiarity of the swimming pool and water to an infant. We start lessons early to establish healthy, fun, memories of swimming. The more comfortable a parent is in the water with their child, the more comfortable the child will be swimming for the long term.
Core cues:
- "1, 2, 3!"
Coach interpretation:
- Consistent cue like "1, 2, 3!": the parent gives the same cue every time before the scoop.
- Backwards step and scoop pushing water over the child's face: the parent steps backwards and scoops water over the child's face.
- Smile and embrace: the parent smiles and embraces the child after the scoop.
- Football hold: parent skill for supported front glides.
- Palms up hold on belly: parent skill for supported front glides.
- Knowledge of scooping and face in water with kisses: parent skill for supported front glides.
- Head on shoulder: parent skill for supported back glides.
- Head in hand: parent skill for supported back glides.
- Fingertips under neck: parent skill for supported back glides.
- Watch for relaxed comfort with face in water, breath held, and arms straight.
- Watch for joyful smiles when held by parent moving through water with ease.
- Watch for comfortable laying on back with ears in water.
- Watch for relaxed body, legs straight, body floating.
- Watch for expectation of scoop and going under with comfort.
- Watch for closed eyes, breath held, relaxed recovery.
Teaching strategy:
Go slow. Build confidence. Earn trust, and look for happy babies. Be active! Be engaged! Talk to parents!
Common errors and corrections:
- Instructor doesn't get in the water: Be active! Be engaged! Talk to parents!
- Instructor doesn't sing or dance to songs: Be active! Be engaged! Talk to parents!
- Parents do their own things; not the group activities and songs but play independently: Be active! Be engaged! Talk to parents!
- Instructor stands in one spot for more than a few minutes: Be active! Be engaged! Talk to parents!
- Infants and toddlers are not excited about doing the songs or games: Be active! Be engaged! Talk to parents!
Progression:
Supported front glides, then supported back glides, then scooping.
Short verified cues (confirmed present; check by eye): “Football hold”, “Head on shoulder”, “Head in hand”, “Smile and embrace.”