Baby Fishes (6 months - 3 years)

Baby Fish 1

Entry – safety slide in entry assisted.
Body movements in water – splashing, kicking.
Breath control for submerging – eyes closed or facial expression showing readiness for submerging.
Submerging with confidence –showing comfortable submerging techniques.
Turning – to wall and to parent in centre assisted.
Sitting entry – arms stretched out leaning forward and falling into pool (can be assisted).
Back float – assisted with ears in the water.
Horizontal rolling off mat - assisted.
Front float horizontal by thigh/hip hold – teacher to parent vice versa for 1 – 1½ metres.
Monkeys on wall – assisted.
Survival grabbing – PVC pole, shirts, noodles.
Jumping in from side with toes on edge, assisted turning and assisted safe exit.

When children turn 18 months, they will progress onto Baby Fish 2

Safety slide in entry – independent.
Kicking – can be with aid or holding parent but must be on command and be a learnt skill.
Breath control – comfortable submerging and bubbles.
Recovery from submerging – pulling up on side of pool, parents arm or shirts.
Sitting entry – arms stretched out, leaning forward, falling into pool independently.
Jumping in with toes on edge – independently.
Turning – turning to wall and to parent with minimal assistance and recovery techniques employed (see #4).
Independent swim – with kicks for 2 meters teacher/parent.
Monkeys – at least 2 meters independently with assisted exit.
Back float – assisted with noodle with ears in.
Stand confidence – standing on stand, walking along holding onto blue bar, jumping off to parent or teacher.
Safe exit – independent (parents can give the children a stable base to push off but try and get children to use shoulder/arm muscles to push up and then get knees out one at a time.

When children turn 2½, they will progress onto Toddler Fish.