Learn to Swim-Preschool (3-5 Years)

Preschoolers begin the 5 levels of our Learn to Swim programme that they will continue through with in the school age classes.

• Learn to Swim – Level 1 – ‘Non-Confident Beginner’
• Learn to Swim – Level 2 – ‘Confident Beginner’
• Learn to Swim – Level 3 – ‘Floating Arms’
• Learn to Swim – Level 4 – ‘Beginner Arms Breather’
• Learn to Swim – Level 5 – ‘Arms Breather’

OUR 5 LEARN TO SWIM LEVELS

 

Learn to Swim – Level 1 – ‘Non-Confident Beginner’

Entry level requirements: no previous swimming experience is necessary is afraid of the water does not like water on the face has no self-propulsion through the water is not co-operative within a class structure

Objectives: to encourage the face into the water with an assisted, relaxed front float to teach bubbling to overcome inhalation of water to build co-operation and trust with the teacher to develop an assisted, relaxed back float to introduce the concept of ‘long kick’ and ‘tapping toes’

Exit level skills: must be comfortable with the face in the water willing to co-operate within a class structure able to blow bubbles willing to try an assisted back float When the child has reached this level, and only then, will he/she move on to the ‘Confident Beginner’ level.

Learn to Swim – Level 2 – ‘Confident Beginner’

Entry level requirements: must be comfortable with the face in the water willing to co-operate within a class structure able to blow bubbles willing to try an assisted back float

Objectives: to teach independent front float, with long relaxed body and water well over the ears when the face is in the water to lengthen the time that the face can remain submerged, with bubble expulsion just prior to surfacing to develop deep head position with eyes looking directly to the bottom of the pool and chin tucked in to teach long leg kick with extended leg and tapping toes (no bent knees) to extend the back float to be very relaxed—aim for an independent float with long body, tummy at the top of the water and chin lifted to encourage jumping forward, off the side of the pool, to a teacher or parent to demonstrate and encourage the use of correct and safe pool entry

Exit level skills: happy with the face in the water and relaxed bubble expulsion as the face exits the water independent front float, with water over the ears and eyes looking down long leg kick, with tapping toes, resulting in independent propulsion through the water relaxed back float, aided or unaided willing to jump forward off poolside to teacher or parent able to enter the pool in a correct and safe manner Only when the child has reached this level will he/she move on to ‘Floating Arms’

 

Learn to Swim – Level 3 – ‘Floating Arms’

Entry level requirements: happy with the face in the water and relaxed bubble expulsion independent float on front with face in, and a nice deep head position chin down, eyes looking at the bottom long legs with toes tapping happy on back, aided or unaided willing to jump off side of pool, to teacher or parent able to enter the pool in a correct manner

Objectives: to streamline body positioning to reinforce and maintain long kick with tapping toes—no bent knees to teach freestyle arm stroke, with low head, good shoulder rotation, fingers entering the water without any splash, hand pushing past leg and keeping arms opposite to develop independent back float and introduce the backstroke kick, with long legs and toes on the top of the water—full body extension. to build confidence and ability in underwater work experimentation with butterfly bump is introduced at this level, but more as a fun activity, rather than a strictly taught stroke

Exit level skills: have independent streamlined float have independent streamlined kick with long legs, tapping toes and no bent knee long arm strokes with good shoulder rotation nice deep, stable head position relaxed above and below the water long and stable back float long leg back kick with tapping toes on top of the water should be introduced to butterfly bump When the child has reached this level, he/she will move to ‘Beginner Arms Breather’.

 

Learn to Swim – Level 4 – ‘Beginner Arms Breather’

Entry level requirements: long streamlined body position long leg kick with tapping toes—no bent knees long arm strokes with good shoulder rotation nice deep head position relaxed in the water back float—long and stable long leg back kick with tapping toes on top of the water butterfly bump—should have an understanding

Objectives: to begin ‘rockets’ to teach side breathing. (The rollup is on the right arm and behind the ear—the arm is stretched out long in front with the fingers on the top of the water—the left arm rests on the left leg.) to teach two arms and a breath, with long kick, low rolling head, and long, slow arm strokes. backstroke—to introduce correct arm strokes with thumb exiting the water at full extension by the leg, and entering the water with little finger first. to reinforce the long leg kick and arm strokes in both freestyle and backstroke to reinforce butterfly bump and introduce arms to introduce breaststroke

Exit level skills: must be swimming with two arms and a breath very easily, with good shoulder rotation, low head and strong kick must be very comfortable in the water—relaxed must be good at kicking on back and competent at backstroke must have good understanding butterfly and have been introduced to breaststroke must be happy diving in, and swimming underwater when diving for rings, underwater swimming, and forward rolls When the child is competent at this level, he/she will move on to ‘Arms Breather’.

 

Learn to Swim – Level 5 – ‘Arms Breather’

Entry level requirements: must be swimming and breathing on every second arm stroke, and have good shoulder rotation, and good low head position must be comfortable and relaxed in the water should have good back kick, and competent arm strokes should be developing a good understanding of butterfly should have been introduced to breaststroke must be happy diving in, and in all aspects of underwater work

Objectives: to introduce ‘rockets’ on the left arm to prepare for bilateral breathing to teach ‘three arms and breath’ to refine backstroke ensuring correct arm and body position are used to develop butterfly by co-ordinating the arms and legs to continue to develop the breaststroke kick to introduce tumble turns, and develop an easy, fluid execution of a forward roll

Exit level skills: must be breathing on every third arm stroke should be demonstrating body roll in backstroke, with correct arm strokes and long kick starting to develop rhythm with butterfly, both arms and legs have good understanding of both breaststroke kick and arm stroke, but practising them separately should be able to dive safely and execute a forward roll in the water After this level, the child progresses to ‘Bilateral Breather’ (Pre-Competitive or Advanced).

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We have both of our girls in swimming lessons at Helen's and they both love it.  They are both confident in the water which is great from our prospective!  Highly recommned Helen Swim School." 

 Lucy has gained confidence and developed a love of swimming since she started lessons at Helen's School of Swimming.  The teachers are friendly, attentive and excellent at their jobs.