AUSTSWIM recognises that the guidelines have been developed to assist
both teachers conducting aquatic programs and parents/carers. It cannot
be stressed too strongly that at no time does an infant, or preschooler's,
increased confidence and ability in the water eliminate the need for constant
supervision by a competent adult while they are involved in aquatic activities
or in the vicinity of water.
The guidelines outline conditions for Infant and Preschool Aquatic Education,
but they are not intended to direct teachers on how to instruct classes.
Various suitable and effective methodologies exist, the key issue in the
application of all activities is that they are complimentary to the development
of the individual whilst ensuring that force is never used.
Newborn - Birth to 6 months
AUSTSWIM recognises that the aquatic experience for very young infants
is primarily a sensory motor experience and that newborn infants, during
the first three months of life do not have the capacity to engage in aquatic
activities in a voluntary manner. The buoyancy of the newborn enables
them to float with minimal support to the head and neck. However it is
important to understand that this is not a voluntary skill and that the
infant is unable to adjust and make changes to their position. Breath
control and the protective patterns of control over the airways necessary
for immersion are also governed by reflex behaviours over which the young
infant has no control. These patterns will operate reflexively when an
infant is placed face down for a prone float however infants are at risk
because they do not have control over head posture and they are unable
to raise their head in order to breathe.
From about 3-4 months of age the newborn begins to gain control over
their posture and under normal circumstances they can raise their head
and look about. In the aquatic environment these movements can cause an
infant to become unstable and they do not have the ability to make adequate
adjustment to their posture or voluntarily regulate their breath control.
As a consequence infants at this stage have difficulty coping in the aquatic
environment and are totally dependent on their parent/carer for physical
support and the responsibility for the provision of a safe and positive
aquatic experience.
AUSTSWIM recommends that parents be given advice on how to use the family
bath to introduce infants in the newborn period to appropriate aquatic
experiences at home and to prepare them for an infant aquatic education
program. Where aquatic programs for infants less than six months of age
are conducted in public swimming pools care must be taken to ensure the
health needs of infants are adequately catered for through:
- water hygiene
- water and air temperature
- handling techniques
- appropriate programming
Baby - 6 months to 24 months
1. Infants participating in aquatic activity programs
in a communal pool should preferably be six (6) months old.
The infant should be properly supported to prevent water swallowing. Water
intoxication is a health risk to infants. The teacher, parent or carer
should be conscious of how much water an infant has ingested and remove
the infant from the water if it becomes excessive.
2. Aquatic programs for infants under the age of twenty-four
(24) months should be promoted as water familiarisation (getting used
to the water)
Other terms such as "drown proofing", "water proofing" or "water safe"
should not be used as they suggest some sort of guarantee. Parents must
supervise their infants carefully at all times when they are in or near
water. Emphasis should be placed on a happy non-threatening secure atmosphere,
which will provide for the infant's social, intellectual, physical and
emotional development.
3. Water familiarisation programs must involve the education
of the parent or carer and their in water participation.
The parent/carer is the primary educator of the young infant. As such,
the parent / carer must assume responsibility for the supervision and
learning of the infant. Programs should involve the parent/carer in the
water education of their infant by communicating safety rules, goals,
techniques and expectations of infant aquatic education activities.
4. The parent or carer of the infant is responsible
for ensuring that the infant is in good health while participating in
aquatic programs.
Pertinent health information about pre-existing conditions should be
obtained from the parents/carer before an infant is accepted into a program.
Teachers and parents/carer need to be aware that physical and emotional
health varies, from time to time, in each individual. Pre-existing medical
and health conditions of parents/carers should also be recorded prior
to commencement within programs.
5. Teachers conducting infant aquatic programs must
have gained the AUSTSWIM Teacher of Infant Aquatics Certificate.
Teachers should have specific training in infant development, aquatic
implications and how infants learn. Teachers should display an understanding,
aptitude, patience and enthusiasm for this age group. Teachers should
continue their education to stay current with new developments. The teacher
in the water and at least one other person present should have a current
certificate in cardiopulmonary resuscitation of children and infants.
6. Infants must be permitted to learn at their own rate
and the number of participants in a class should allow for close supervision
and individual attention.
Programs that include movement exploration and development, games and
parent/carer involvement in various land and water activities are appropriate.
Development of specific skills in aquatics should not take precedence
over an infant's enjoyment of the water, but should be seen in relation
to their overall development. Infants should be taught using a parent/carer
-infant ratio of one to one. Class ratios should be a maximum of eight
pupils. The key to learning is the emphasis placed on a positive environment
working toward aquatic safety and enjoyment.
7. Only procedures and techniques that are age appropriate,
non-traumatic and respect the rights of the child are to be implemented.
At no stage should force be used.
The infant must be properly supported to prevent the swallowing of water.
Techniques such as throwing the infant into the water from a height and
forced back floating are not recommended. Only when the infant can demonstrate
competent learnt response breath control can submersions be initiated.
These submersions should initially be brief and few in number. Once the
child can consistently initiate submersions and demonstrate competent
breath control they should become longer and more frequent. The emphasis
in these experiences should be free of force, punishment or threat.
8. In-water class times should not exceed thirty (30)
minutes for infants.
Frequent, short learning experiences are best. Infants need to avoid
becoming cold and tired. Children who display signs of lost body heat
should be immediately removed from the water, dried, kept warm and clothed.
9. The water temperature should be at least thirty (30)
degrees Celsius and ideally the air temperature higher.
This provides for optimal learning comfort and enjoyment. Infants become
cold very quickly and parents should wrap the infants in a towel when
out of the water. The learning of aquatic skills should never take precedence
over the child's comfort.
10. The pool and associated facilities should be maintained
according to standards specified by State and Local authorities regarding
safety, water purity and sanitary conditions.
Floors and passageways should be safe and have appropriate wet area flooring.
Dressing rooms and changing tables should be well maintained
11. Appropriate clothing should be worn by infants,
parents and teachers
Infants should wear pants that fit snugly around the legs to ensure
that bowel motions do not enter the pool. Any infant having a bowel movement
should leave the water and be washed and changed into clean clothing before
re-entering a program. Soiled clothing should be placed into special containers
and cleaned quickly and carefully. Nappies are not suitable attire for
aquatic activities. When exposed to the sun for potentially harmful period's
attention should be given to hats, sun clothes and sunscreen.
Toddler - 24 months to 42 months
Infants in this age group are becoming capable of learning basic aquatic
techniques. Emphasis should be placed upon parental understanding, and
where possible, involvement in programs, which are centered upon skill
development and water safety education, based on play games and activities.
1. It is essential that parents and carers understand
the rationale for any formal aquatic program for their infants.
Programs that include movement exploration, water adjustment, fun, games
and parent/carer -infant involvement are appropriate for this age group.
Development of specific skills in aquatics should not take precedence
over the toddler's general well-being, but should be seen in relation
to overall development.
2. The parent or carer is responsible for ensuring that
the toddler is in good health while participating in aquatic programs.
Pertinent health information about pre-existing conditions should be
obtained from the parents/carer before a toddler is accepted into a program.
Teachers and parents/carers need to be aware that physical and emotional
health varies, from time to time, in each individual. Pre-existing medical
and health conditions of parents/carers should also be recorded prior
to commencement within programs.
3. Teachers conducting toddler aquatic programs must
have gained the AUSTSWIM Teacher of Infant Aquatics Certificate.
Teachers should have specific training in infant development, aquatic
implications and how infants learn. Teachers should display an understanding,
aptitude, patience and enthusiasm for this age group. Teachers should
continue their education to stay current with new developments. The teacher
in the water and at least one other person present should have a current
certificate in cardiopulmonary resuscitation of children and infants.
4. The teacher-pupil ratio should be low to take into
account the needs of the toddlers.
Initially the toddlers will require the in-water participation of a
parent or carer. Around 36 months some infants may be ready to move into
a transitional group without in-water participation of parent/carer. This
will depend upon the infant's social and emotional development and aquatic
readiness. A maximum teacher/pupil ration of 1:5 allows for appropriate
supervision and competent instruction. Irrespective of aquatic ability,
no toddler should be considered water safe and needs to be under constant
adult observation.
5. The pool and associated facilities should be maintained
according to standards specified by State and Local authorities regarding
safety, water purity and sanitary conditions.
Floors and passageways should be safe and have appropriate wet area flooring.
Dressing rooms should be well maintained.
6. Acceptable flotation aids may assist with the gaining
of confidence and skill development.
Numerous teaching aids can improve the quality of aquatic programs but
should only be used in controlled teaching situations. Flotation aids
worn on or attached to the body are not life saving devices and should
only be used under competent adult supervision. Such flotation aids must
be acceptable to the Australian Standard 'Flotation Aids for Water Familiarisation
and Swimming Tuition' (CS/21 - Swimming Aids).
7. Rules of behaviour for activity in on or around water
should be taught as an integral element of the aquatic program.
Irrespective of aquatic ability no toddler should be considered water
safe. Infants should learn from the earliest lesson how to behave when
in, on or around water. Infants should be supervised at all times.
8. Each toddler should be treated as an individual and
be allowed to progress at his/her own rate.
It is essential that teachers, parents and carers understand the needs
and fears of toddlers. They need reassurance and encouragement. Trust
is extremely important as without trust there may be fear and no enjoyment.
Activities must be enjoyable and suited to the ability and age of the
group.
9. The learning of skills by the toddler is directly
related to active participation in educational programs and to the frequency
of practice.
The retention of skills is dependent upon reinforcement through regular
opportunity to participate. AUSTSWIM recognises the desire of individuals
and agencies to use an aquatic environment as a method of enriching the
life experience of the toddler. The emphasis in these experiences should
be free of force, punishment or threat.
10. Only procedures and techniques that are age appropriate,
non-traumatic and respect the rights of the child are to be implemented.
At no stage should force be used.
The infant must be properly supported to prevent the swallowing of water.
Techniques such as throwing the infant into the water from a height and
forced back floating are not recommended. Only when the infant can demonstrate
competent learnt response breath control can submersions be initiated.
These submersions should initially be brief and few in number. Once the
child can consistently initiate submersions and demonstrate competent
breath control they should become longer and more frequent. The emphasis
in these experiences should be free of force, punishment or threat.
Preschool - 42 to 48 months
AUSTSWIM has defined a preschool child as one between the ages of 42
and 48 months. Preschool children in this age group may be capable of
learning basic aquatic techniques and participating independently within
a class structure. Skill development and water safety education is based
on games and activities. It is important that parents / carers understand
the philosophy of programs for this age group is based on water familiarisation
as opposed to swimming strokes development.
1. Teachers conducting preschool aquatic programs must
hold a current AUSTSWIM Teacher of Infant Aquatics Certificate.
Teachers should have specific training in infant development, aquatic
implications and how infants learn. Teachers should display an understanding,
aptitude, patience and enthusiasm for this age group. Teachers should
continue their education to stay current with new developments. The teacher
in the water and at least one other person present should have a current
certificate in cardiopulmonary resuscitation of children and infants.
2. Teachers conducting preschool programs in outdoor
facilities may need to adjust class structure and duration in consideration
of water and air temperature.
The air temperature and often the water temperature within outdoor venues
cannot be controlled. Lessons should be scheduled to maximise the benefits
of the warmest part of the day and the duration should not exceed 30 minutes.
Children should be kept active within the water and not left sitting on
the edge where cooler air temperature may cause rapid loss of body heat.
The learning of aquatic skills should never take precedence over the child's
comfort and welfare.
3. Each infant should be treated as an individual and
allowed to progress at his/her own rate.
It is essential that teachers, parents and carers understand the needs
and fears of preschoolers. They need reassurance and encouragement. Trust
is extremely important as without trust there may be fear and no enjoyment.
Activities must be enjoyable and suited to the ability and age of the
group.
4. The teacher - pupil ratio should be low to take into
account the needs of the students.
Irrespective of aquatic ability, no student should be considered water
safe. Students need to be under constant adult observation. A low teacher
pupil ratio of a maximum of 1:5 allows for better supervision and caters
for the needs of the individual student.
Copyright © 2002 by AUSTSWIM Ltd.
Version No: 3
Issue Date: December 2002
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