Aquatic Readiness: Developing Water Competence in Young Children (book)

The next generation of aquatic instruction for a new generation of children Aquatic Readiness: Developing Water Competence in Young Children is an essential resource for those who teach young children to swim as well as those who administer aquatic programs. The book challenges traditional aquatic instruction practices by integrating the newest and best information from motor development and motor learning research, elementary physical education methods, and risk management. Stephen Langendorfer and Lawrence Bruya, leading authorities in aquatics and motor development, show aquatic instructors how to develop, assess, and operate developmentally appropriate, safe, and highly motivating aquatic programs for young children. Using a water competence model, the authors illustrate how fundamental aquatic readiness skills provide the foundation for all advanced aquatic skills, such as swimming strokes and diving. They debunk misconceptions and fallacies about learning to swim and explain the best way to test and teach such aquatic readiness skills as water entry, breath control, buoyancy and body position, arm and leg actions, and combined movement. In Aquatic Readiness, aquatic instructors will learn how to become skilled in movement education, play, and developmental games indirect methods of presenting and reinforcing skill learning that are crucial to effective communication with young children. They'll also learn how to use a new test called the Aquatic Readiness Assessment (ARA) to select developmentally appropriate teaching methods, equipment, games, and activities for their students. In addition, Aquatic Readiness details how large equipment and games in aquatic environments increase children's motivation and learning through active play. Plus, the book's appendix contains more than 100 developmentally appropriate water games that are cross-referenced by skill and developmental level. AUDIENCE Aquatics instructors for young children CONTENTS Preface Acknowledgments Chapter 1. An Introduction to Aquatic Readiness The Swimming World Is A-Changin' Water Competence More Than Just the Same Old Strokes Aquatic Readiness Before the Child Gets Into the Swim A Developmental Perspective Changing Strokes for Little Folks Summary Chapter 2. Fact and Fiction in Aquatics for Young Children Sources of Misinformation Developmental Issues Skill Acquisition Issues Pedagogical Issues Health and Safety Issues The