Turtles Level Skills

Goal: To build water confidence and safety, accept water contact, and begin simple movement with instructor support or flotation equipment.

Accepts being beside the pool.
Accepts water wiping on the limbs, face, and head.
Accepts water being poured over the limbs, face, and head.
Accepts wearing swimming goggles for part of the lesson.
Accepts playing with floating toys.
Accepts blowing on a floating toy.
Accepts sitting in the water with instructor support or flotation equipment.
Accepts standing in the water with instructor support or flotation equipment.
Accepts walking in the water with instructor support or flotation equipment.
Accepts vertical floating using flotation equipment and instructor support when needed.
Moves the hands while floating vertically, freely or to move forward, backward, or change direction.
Moves the legs while floating vertically, freely or to move forward, backward, or change direction.
Can enter the pool from the edge with instructor support.
Can enter the pool using the vertical ladder with instructor support.
Can move from one side to another in the water freely.
Can submerge to pick up a toy from a standing position.
Can jump into the water from sitting and standing positions, feet first, according to the child’s ability and safety.
Responds to basic safety instructions, such as the whistle to exit the pool.

Note: Each child is assessed according to their abilities and disability type. Some skills may be adapted or replaced with safe and suitable alternatives.