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SWIMMING SKILLS FOR INFANTS
0-36 MONTHS

Copyright since ©1991
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About Aquatots

With the number of AQUATOTS instructors growing yearly it became increasingly difficult to monitor and control the standard of teaching. Uniformity amongst instructors was dwindling and the threat of AQUATOTS being watered down was very real. The remedy was to franchise AQUATOTS. As such, AQUATOTS became a franchise operation as from 31 May 2003. Henceforth, only those trained in the AQUATOTS Swim Program method who have committed themselves to the franchise agreement will have the right to trade in the name of AQUATOTS. Those who have not committed themselves to the franchise agreement forfeit the right to trade as AQUATOTS instructors unless employed at AQUATOTS Franchise swim schools.

 
 

 

Standardised Infant Swim School Operation

AQUATOTS Swim Program is a standardised infant swim school operation. As a franchise, AQUATOTS Swim Schools are better regulated and controlled such that the standard the brand name has come to signify can be maintained.

The public should be able to expect uniformity amongst AQUATOTS Swim Schools where rules, regulations, standards and procedures are concerned. Rules, regulations, and guidelines are posted at all registered AQUATOTS Swim Schools. Any transgression or omission should be reported to AQUATOTS Central Office immediately. For your reference you can check the AQUATOTS GUIDELINES below.

 

  

The Purpose of Guidelines

The purpose of the AQUATOTS Swim Program (ASP) Guidelines is to assure that AQUATOTS operates within the parameters of the recommendations of the American Academy of Paediatricians and the Paediatric fraternity in general.

The medical profession is fast recognising the benefits of early aquatic exposure during the period of early childhood development, especially from a therapeutic perspective. It can only be expected to recommend such aquatic exposure for infants if it can be assured that the risks involved do not outweigh the benefits. With numerous dedicated professional physiotherapists and biokineticists as accredited and registered AQUATOTS instructors, AQUATOTS is in a strong position to offer this assurance.

The ASP Guidelines, adopted by SWIMMING SOUTH AFRICA (SSA), set the national standard for toddler swim teaching. Toddler swim teachers who conform to these guidelines are acknowledged by SWIMMING SOUTH AFRICA as accredited SSA 'Todswim' teachers. SSA, however, cannot guarantee that these teachers are sticking to the guidelines.

AQUATOTS Swim Program Guidelines to Safe
and Enjoyable Swimming for Infants 0 - 36 Months of Age:


1. Infant swim teaching requires suitably qualified instructors.
Understanding of early childhood development in relation to swimming ability, the medical implications of infant swimming, the ability to give basic first aid and perform cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if necessary, are essential prerequisites for infant swim teaching.

2. Medical history of the both the infant and the participating adult should be noted by the instructor.
Infants with known medical irregularities require written consent from their paediatrician to participate in swim lessons. As an added precaution, the medical condition of the participating adult should be made known to the instructor.

3. Water purity in accordance with national health specifications.
Adults to shower before entering the pool, specified bathing wear for infants, scoops, basins, and tissues within reach while teaching, are ways to maintain hygiene and prevent faecal spills, vomit, and mucous from contaminating the water.

4. Teaching environment must be safe and enjoyable.
Pools should have non-skid surrounds. The depth of pools should not exceed one metre. Water temperature should be at least 28 degrees Celsius for toddlers, and between 30-32 degrees Celsius for very young infants. The atmosphere should be warm and comfortable.

5. Participation of a parent or other trusted adult per infant is essential.
Each infant should be accompanied in the water by a parent or other trusted adult.

6. Infants should never be forced to submerge.
Infants should be left to initiate their own submersion. Consecutive submersions should be limited to 5 (five). Each submersion should not exceed 3-5 (three to five) seconds. Adequate time for recovery between submersions is necessary.

7. Length of lesson should not exceed 30 minutes.
Lessons should be discontinued if infants are feeling cold or experiencing any other physical discomfort.

8. Group size maximum of 6-8 adult-infant pairs.
Limited class size assures optimum instructor supervision.

9. Infants should never be expected to perfect skills in a set period.
Infants learn at their own pace. They should never be rushed or forced to perfect skills in a set period of time or a set number of lessons.

10. Infants are never totally safe in and around water.
Adult supervision should always be within hand reach of infants when in and around water regardless of their age or swimming ability

 

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