Preschool
The Preschool levels help children from 3 to 5 years of age gradually develop comfort, confidence and their first aquatic skills in a fun and safe environment.
Through play and developmentally appropriate activities, children learn to enter the water, submerge, float, glide and move through the water with increasing independence. The Lifesaving Society’s Aqua Bon safety tips are incorporated into each level to encourage safe behaviours around, on and in the water from an early age.
A first step toward learning how to enter and exit the water, get the face wet and blow bubbles underwater. Children are also introduced to floating and gliding on their front and back. Participation by a parent or caregiver may be encouraged until the child is comfortable enough to participate independently.
Skills Taught
Enter and exit the water (water at the child’s chest level);
Get their face wet and blow bubbles underwater;
Float and glide on their front and back;
Jump into the water with assistance.
Duration
8 to 10 lessons of 30 minutes
Number of Children per Instructor
4 to 6
Children develop greater independence by learning to enter and exit the water, jump in, submerge and exhale underwater. Front and back glides are practised while wearing a personal flotation device (PFD).
Skills Taught
Jump into the water (water at the child’s chest level);
Enter and exit the water while wearing a personal flotation device (PFD);
Submerge and exhale underwater;
Glide on the front and back while wearing a PFD.
Duration
8 to 10 lessons of 30 minutes
Number of Children per Instructor
4 to 6
Skills progress to entering deep water, performing a sideways roll while wearing a PFD and retrieving objects underwater. Children also develop their kicking skills and front and back glides.
Skills Taught
Jump into deep water;
Perform a sideways roll while wearing a PFD;
Retrieve objects from the bottom in waist-deep water;
Kick and glide on the front and back.
Duration
8 to 10 lessons of 30 minutes
Number of Children per Instructor
4 to 6
Children become more independent and learn to enter deeper water and exit without assistance. Activities include sideways rolls, opening the eyes underwater, gliding and kicking. Children also begin swimming a short distance of 5 metres on their front while wearing a PFD.
Skills Taught
Jump independently into deeper water and exit without assistance;
Perform sideways rolls to enter the water;
Open their eyes underwater;
Master side glides and side kicking;
Swim 5 metres on their front while wearing a PFD.
Duration
8 to 10 lessons of 30 minutes
Number of Children per Instructor
4 to 6
This final level gradually prepares children for more advanced aquatic skills. Activities include entering the water with a forward roll while wearing a PFD, treading water for 10 seconds, and an introduction to front crawl and back crawl over 5 metres. Interval training and learning the whip kick complete the progression.
Skills Taught
Enter the water with a forward roll while wearing a PFD;
Tread water for 10 seconds;
Swim front crawl and back crawl for 5 metres;
Perform the whip kick;
Have fun with interval training.
Duration
8 to 10 lessons of 30 minutes
Number of Children per Instructor
4 to 6