Comprehensive Training Guide: Under 3 Swimming Program for Swimming Curriculum for Swimming Instructors

Program Overview: Under 3 Years Old

The "Under 3" category comprises three distinct levels: Tadpole (acclimation), Swimboree (beginner survival), and Seahorse (advanced survival). This curriculum is meticulously designed to align with the physical and cognitive capabilities of children aged $3\,\text{months}$ to $3\,\text{years}$ .

Child Development and Professionalism

An instructor's understanding of developmental milestones is critical for teaching effectiveness. It allows for the interpretation of child behaviors (the "whys") and reinforces the instructor's role as a professional expert to parents.

The Importance of "Homework"

Instructors must encourage practice outside of formal lessons, especially for the Under 3 levels. Bath-time serves as a primary opportunity for parents to reinforce comfort and skills. Providing specific "homework" tasks engages caretakers and increases customer retention by demonstrating instructor investment in the student's progress.

Essential Water Safety Skills

These safety skills are not move-up goals, but are essential components of a well-rounded lesson. They should be introduced as early as the Tadpole level.

Monkey Walks

A Monkey Walk is a safety skill where the student moves hand-over-hand along the pool wall.

Purpose: To teach students how to reach a safe exit (stairs or ladder) if they are unable to lift themselves out of the pool.
Tadpole and Swimboree Performance: Usually requires caretaker assistance. For infants ( $3-6\,\text{months}$ ), caretakers may lift their knee to provide support while holding the child’s hands. For children ( $18\,\text{months}$ to $3\,\text{years}$ ), the focus is on a conscious grip of the wall.
Seahorse Performance: Students by this level often have the muscle strength to support their own weight and monkey walk independently with close supervision.
Instructor Tip: Use toys as a goal for the child to walk toward. In survival levels, only perform this skill with one child at a time to maintain safety and follow the Rules of $3$ .

Safe Entry and Exit Practices

Safe Exit Sequence: " $elbow, elbow, belly, knee, knee$ ". This sequence helps children learn to pull themselves out of the water.
Reflex Tip: There is a specific reflex point on a child's back that, when touched, triggers a natural response to lift the leg rather than pushing away from the wall.
Caretaker Safe Entry (No Stairs): 1. Caretaker and child sit side-by-side on the wall. 2. Caretaker crosses one arm over the child for support. 3. Caretaker slowly slides into the water and then supports the child. 4. Use a song like "Motor Boat" to make the entry fun.
Caretaker Safe Exit (No Stairs): 1. Caretaker places one hand on the deck beside the child and one between the child's legs as a barrier. 2. Caretaker pulls themselves out and sits next to the child.
Cue for Students: " $Cross and climb in$ ."

Level 1: Tadpole (Water Acclimation)

This level is for students aged $3\,\text{months}$ to $3\,\text{years}$ who are new to the water. The core focus is establishing a positive relationship with the water.

Cap Color: White.
Class Ratio: $6:1$ .
Caretaker Involvement: One caretaker is required in the water for the entire lesson.

The Five Goals of Tadpole

Water Acclimation: Using games and songs to ensure the child is unphased by splashes or water.
No Tears, No Fear: Eliminating uncertainty to make the water a familiar environment.
Assisted Back Float with Ears In: Building the foundation for survival by having ears submerged.
Full Gentle Submersion: Transitioning from surface acclimation to comfort underwater.
Working Towards Independence in the Swim Ring: Teaching balance and buoyancy.

Lesson Structure and Timeframes

Intro ( $5\,\text{minutes}$ ): Meet students, review goals, and perform an engaging song. If completed under $5\,\text{minutes}$ , add extra time to the Main Theme.
Main Theme ( $15\,\text{minutes}$ ): Focus on core skills including Back Floats (Blastoffs), Submersions, and Humpty Dumpties.
Playtime and Feedback ( $5\,\text{minutes}$ ): Focus on swim ring independence and caretaker communication.

Hold Positions

General Hold: High under the armpits, child facing away from parent toward the center of the circle. This encourages interaction and acclimation.
Harbor Hold: Arms straight out forming a triangle with hands together, supporting the child's armpits. Allows for swaying.
Superman (Sandwich) Hold: One hand on the chest, one on the back. Often used for spinning or airplane sounds.

Back Floating Progressions (Blastoffs)

In Tadpole, only the first two of the $7$ progressions are practiced:

Progression 1: Head on caretaker's shoulder, ears out.
Progression 2: Head on caretaker's shoulder, ears in.
Technique: Instruct parents to use a "power stance" (squatting) to protect their back and keep their chin in the water to gauge the child's ear depth. Always use the $1-2-3-Gasp$ cue.

Submersion Progressions

Submersions must be controlled and last $3\,\text{seconds}$ . Never "dunk" a child vertically, as this forces water up the nose.

Progression 1: Chin.
Progression 2: Mouth.
Progression 3: Nose.
Progression 4: Eyes.
Progression 5: All the way.

Level 2: Swimboree (Beginner Water Survival)

Swimboree bridges the gap between acclimation and survival skills. The instructor begins working hands-on with students individually while parents provide support in between turns.

Cap Color: Teal.
Class Ratio: $1:4$ .
Main Difference: Instructors work through advanced progressions that parents are not trained to handle (e.g., transition of the head from the shoulder to the chest).

The Five Goals of Swimboree

Assisted (or independent) back float: Moving through progressions $3-7$ .
Assisted (or independent) torpedo rollover: Learning to flip from face-down to face-up.
Full submersion from the wall (sitting or standing): Mimicking a fall into the water.
Able to separate from the parent: Critical milestone for future levels.
Independence in the swim ring: Controlling balance without caretaker support.

Torpedo Rollovers

Definition: The movement through the water from face-down to face-up. This must happen underwater to mimic a real fall and allow the water to assist the roll.
Technique: The instructor places hands on the student's shoulders in a "sideways U" (thumbs down). After the $1-2-3-Gasp$ , the instructor pulls the child through the water and dips one shoulder to initiate the roll, positioning the other hand to support the head as they surface.

Swimboree Humpty Dumpties

In Swimboree, submersions are no longer controlled or slowed. The student is held by the wrists and allowed to "plop" naturally into the water to simulate the sensation of a real fall.

Level 3: Seahorse (Advanced Water Survival)

Seahorses are the "superstars" of the Under 3 program. This level prepares children for the Minnow level ( $Over-3$ ).

Cap Color: Purple.
Class Ratio: $4:1$ .
Parental Involvement: Caretakers sit on the pool deck behind the student, providing encouragement and supervision but staying out of the water.

The Five Goals of Seahorse

Independent back float: Floating unsupported.
Independent torpedo rollover: Instructor performs the entry, but the student completes the roll into a float unassisted.
Independent push from the wall and roll over: Student voluntarily puts their face in, pushes off the wall, and rolls to their back.
Jump in, roll over, and float $20\,\text{seconds}$ : Fully unassisted simulation of a fall.
Separation from parent: Requirement to sit on the wall without parent contact.

Seahorse Lesson Dynamics

Entry/Exit: While lifting students is standard, instructors should periodically practice the safe entry/exit sequence learned in Tadpole, though it is not a required goal forทุก turn.
Progressions: Each turn should focus on incremental progress (e.g., floating for an extra $2\,\text{seconds}$ ).
Standing vs. Seated Humpty Dumpties: Students should be encouraged to jump from a standing position. If nervous, a "cross-hand hold" can be used for assistance. Seated Humpty Dumpties are the starting point for new or anxious Seahorse students.

Supervised Playtime and Feedback Logic

All lessons conclude with $5\,\text{minutes}$ of playtime. This is never used as a punishment and is a critical period for learning.

Swim Ring Safety

Protocol: From Tadpole to Starfish, all children must wear swim rings during playtime.
Fit Check: The ring must be snug. If it can be pulled over the child's head or arms, it is too big. Children should "shimmy" in feet-first.
Independence: In Swimboree, instructors should coach parents to hold the ring or the child's hands rather than the waist to encourage balance.

Playtime vs. Skill Building

Effective playtime involves the instructor actively supervising and participating, providing individual feedback, and organizing group activities like "Treasure Hunt" or "Ring Around the Rosie." Ineffective playtime is characterized by the instructor turning their back or failing to engage with parents regarding student progress.