You will already be very familiar with the previous stages of this skill as it is a staple that was introduced to you in your Level 1 Ducklings Course.
This version, introduced to you in your Level 4 Penguins course, is stage 4 of this fun skill. Like before, the focus remains on safe entry and getting back to the side, but now we are making it more fun and more independent. Parents encourage the actual leaning forward by placing their hands under the armpits to ‘tease’ their child’s position into that of leaning forward to enter the water and complete a short swim before turning and paddling and kicking back to the poolside to hold on for safety. As your child becomes more confident with this concept, they soon start to happily initiate their own entry without your assistance. Although it is important that a parent always be close enough to assist if required and to not allow full independent entry until they are confident that their child will do this safely.
This skill will foster confidence, but more importantly, ensure that your child learns not to shuffle their bottom forwards resulting in entering the water in a more upright position, too close to the poolside. This is very important as you will be working towards your child being able to stand on the pool side and independently jump in. With that in mind, we want them to be very used to coming forwards of the wall to ensure safety at all times.
Once they have mastered this, they can have lots of fun by launching themselves off the raft at playtime. The challenge will be getting them to wait unti thel end of the song as they will love doing it so much!
