Teaching basic aquatic skills for children: a French case-study
Résumé
Introduction
The fact is that swimming is a useful skill for life and can elevate the health status of an
individual from a very young age. Since the 2010s, the concepts of swimming education have
been changing. The first and second steps are before the swimming teaching is water
familiarisation and basic aquatic skills teaching which are provide an opportunity to get children
involved in the development of water competencies while developing motor, social and mental
skills in a safe environment. The aim of this study was to show one didactic and pedagogical
perspective between a 4-8 year old children in a water polo club.
Material and Method
The purpose of our presentation is to show a useful example in case-study frame. During this
practice, we could see the water familiarisation process of a group of pre-schoolers and pupils
(n=12) from September to February is two times a week.
Results
During this time, children have to get familiarized with the water, learned the basic aquatic
skills and elementary water locomotion. As a coach I saw some of extra performances in the
French case e.g., somersault jumping, playful imitation of various animals and water polo
preparatory exercises. The fact that they are moving extremely confidently in the water,
measured in my previous Hungarian experiences.
Conclusion
That useful example shows a comprehensive aquatic education leading to water literacy can
open a wide range of aquatic sports and therefore, lifelong sports activities. This approach is
different from the generally Hungarian literature and practices which is offer the water
familiarisation process less than 12 classes. Thereafter, they teach the fundamentals of
swimming styles in an intensive tempo. It is possible to learn the swimming technique without
basic aquatic skills, but these types of teaching reduction other aquatic sports. Of course, every
water sports classes are depending on the teaching methodological goals, but it would be
worthwhile to experience and become more inclusive towards international examples. After
this experience, reading the international research that focused on the changes, it is worth
thinking about doing comparative analysis with a strong base.