Tadpoles are pretty chill in the pool. They’re ready to level up their swimming skills and learn how to propel themselves in the water. If your child doesn’t mind going under the water, but doesn’t float on her own yet or swim to an adult without floaties, she’s a Tadpole.
Tadpoles learn the following:
- Social Skills
Child is either watching or interacting with other children for the benefits of a socialized learning environment. This helps with cue recognition, sharing, and teacher interaction.
- Stationary Back Float
Child is learning to float comfortably while being held by a Professor without moving until they are floating on their own. Stationary floating helps the child learn to position their body on top of the water and successfully float independently.
- Moving Back Float
Child is learning to float easily while moving with or without the help of a Professor.
- Roll Overs
Child is learning to roll from front to back with the help of a Professor. Child is also learning to propel themselves backward while staying on top of the water with alligator arms.
- Forward Movement with Alligators and Kicks
Child is learning to propel themselves forward by keeping the alligator arm formation and kicking at the same time.
- Paddle Arms
Child is exploring moving their arms while swimming with the support of the Professor.
- Increased Breath Control
Child is learning how to exhale beneath the water, and inhale above the water during forward movement.
- Increased Cross Patterning Movement
Child can move arms and legs opposite of each other.
- Increased Body Awareness
Child understands how to adjust their body to the correct positions in the water.
- Safety Jump
Professor may help child jump into the water. Child experiences full submersion in Professor’s arms or not, and Professor helps child swim safely back to the wall.
- Independence, Confidence, and Safety
Child’s understanding of boundaries and safety rules is growing. Child’s comfort level is established enough to grow independence and want to try new things.
