What this water confidence skill is
Support is anything that helps your child try a movement they cannot yet do alone. It might be equipment, like a kickboard or a foam noodle. It might be the instructor's hand. It might be a reminder: a word, a count, a touch or a picture that tells them what to do.
The right support lets your child succeed without doing the work for them. It is agreed together, your child has a say, and it is reduced gradually, only as fast as they are ready. It follows on from speaking up, and leads to following instructions in the water.
Why it matters
Success from the start.
The right support lets your child try something new and get it right.
Confidence, not dependence.
Support is reduced step by step, so your child learns to do it on their own.
A say in their lessons.
Choosing between options helps children feel in control, and often makes them braver.
Shaped around your child.
For children with additional needs, the right support can turn a hard lesson into a great one.
Who it is for
Every learner, from babies to older adults. Babies and toddlers are mostly supported by a trusted adult's hands, with songs and words as reminders. Children often use floats and simple signals, and the right support can make a big difference for children with additional needs. If you are learning as an adult, you might prefer a hand, a noodle or a clear spoken reminder. Your instructor is glad to adapt.
