Why Rushing Wave 3 is a Problem:

If your child is moved through Wave 3 too quickly, they may struggle with breathing control and synchronising their movements. Mastery of control and breathing is crucial for future stroke development. Without a strong foundation here, they may find themselves fatigued or overwhelmed when attempting the longer distances required in Wave 4. It’s essential they gain the confidence and control needed at this stage to ensure continued progress.

1. Participate in a Discussion and Answer Questions about Water Safety

Your child will participate in a group discussion and answer questions about pool safety, water hazards, and lesson rules.

Parent Tips:

• Start conversations at home: Ask your child about pool safety when they are at home or in the car, helping to reinforce the importance of staying alert near water.
• Relate it to everyday situations: Help them understand water safety by pointing out potential dangers when you visit pools, beaches, or even bath time.
• Reward attentiveness: Praise your child for paying attention during lessons and answering questions confidently.

2. Jump into Water and Tread Water for 15 Seconds

Your child will jump into the water and tread water for 15 seconds without assistance, building both water confidence and early life-saving skills.

Parent Tips:

• Start shallow: If they are nervous, start with jumping into shallow water before progressing to deeper areas.
• Use a countdown: Help your child practice treading water by using a countdown or game to hold their position for a little longer each time. For an added challenge you can always countdown in English or Welsh or other languages they are learning – this can make things last longer and offer a fun distraction.
• Leg movement: Remind them to kick from the hips, using wide kicks to stay afloat, while encouraging slow, controlled arm movements.

3. Collect an Object from the Pool Floor Without Goggles

Your child will practice retrieving an object from the pool floor, building confidence in submersion and learning how to stay calm underwater.

Parent Tips:

• Practise in shallow water: Begin in shallow water where they can comfortably retrieve objects without fear. Gradually increase the depth as they grow confident.
• Calm, slow breathing: Teach them to exhale slowly before going underwater, helping to prevent panic. If the water is deep they will struggle to sink deep enough if their lungs are full of air so blowing out is an essential skill when they want to collect sinkers from the deep end.
• Use fun objects: Make retrieval fun by using brightly coloured objects or toys they enjoy, encouraging repeated practice.

4. Float on the Front and Back, Transition to Standing

Your child will practice floating on both the front and back without assistance, then transition smoothly to a standing or vertical position.

Parent Tips:

• Encourage relaxation: Help your child relax while floating by guiding them to take deep breaths and keep their body still.
• Hands out: Keep their arms out wide or near their ears for balance on the back and extended in front when on the front.
• Practice the transition: Show them how to bring their knees to their chest and push down with their arms to stand up smoothly.

5. Push and Glide on the Front with Arms Extended

On the front, your child will push off from the pool wall, glide with arms extended, and maintain a streamlined body position with their face in the water.

Parent Tips:

• Streamline practice: Encourage your child to squeeze their ears with their upper arms to help reduce drag and maintain a streamlined position.
• Big push: A powerful push-off is key to gliding. Have them practice strong, controlled pushes from the wall.
• Keep it smooth: Remind them to keep their head down and body straight for a longer glide, emphasising smooth movements.

6. Push and Glide on the Back

On the back, your child will push off from the wall and hold a glide position, learning how to maintain balance and streamline.

Parent Tips:

• Eyes on the ceiling: Encourage them to look directly up at the ceiling to help align their body.
• Tummy up: Remind them to push their tummy up to maintain a strong, flat position for a better glide.
• Controlled push-off: Work on controlled, steady push-offs from the wall to maintain their balance while gliding.

7. Swim 10 Metres Frontcrawl with Side Breathing

Your child will swim 10 metres using frontcrawl, introducing side breathing while maintaining alternating arm and leg movements.

Parent Tips:

• Break down the breath: Practice side breathing separately before trying it while swimming. Encourage them to turn their head to the side to breathe and then return to face-down.
• Big arms, strong legs: Focus on big, wide arm movements while maintaining steady leg kicks from the hips.
• Start slow: Practise short distances at first, encouraging breathing every 3 strokes to help build coordination.

8. Swim 10 Metres Backstroke

Your child will swim 10 metres on their back, focusing on continuous alternating arm recovery and a strong leg kick.

Parent Tips:

• Arm coordination: Encourage them to alternate their arms continuously, making sure one hand enters the water as the other recovers over it. It’s very common for children to move one arm to the hip and then the other, both arms should be moving without any stops.
• Eyes on the ceiling: Ensure they keep their head still and look at the ceiling to maintain a streamlined body position.
• Leg power: Focus on steady, strong kicks from the hips to help with propulsion and balance.

9. Swim 5 Metres Breaststroke

Your child will swim 5 metres of breaststroke, attempting to use a recognisable pull-breathe-kick-glide sequence.

Parent Tips:

• Break it down: Help them understand the timing by breaking the stroke into parts—first the arms, then the kick, and finally the glide.
• Hands and feet: Keep an eye on hand and foot positioning to ensure proper form in the pull and kick phases.
• Short bursts: Encourage short, controlled bursts of swimming to focus on getting the movements right before increasing distance.

10. Swim 5 Metres Butterfly with Simultaneous Arm and Leg Action

Your child will swim 5 metres of butterfly, learning how to coordinate simultaneous arm recovery with undulating dolphin kicks.

Parent Tips:

• Small kicks: Focus on small, controlled dolphin kicks to build strength.
• Arms in sync: Encourage them to keep their arms in sync with their body’s undulating movement.
• Practise on land: Try practising the butterfly arm and leg movement on land to help them understand the coordination needed.

11. Perform a 360° Roll

Your child will float on their back, rotate to the front, and then return to floating on their back in one motion, completing a 360° roll.

Parent Tips:

• Break it down: Practise the motion step-by-step on land before trying it in the water.
• Slow and steady: Encourage slow, controlled movements while keeping their arms close to their body.
• Breathe calmly: Remind them to breathe calmly and steadily as they roll to prevent panicking.

12. Scull Head First on the Back for 5 Metres

Your child will lie on their back, arms by their sides, and use their hands to scull headfirst for 5 metres. Swimming aids can be used if necessary.

Parent Tips:

• Small, quick hand movements: Encourage small, fast sculling motions with their hands, as if they’re “scooping” the water.
• Keep still: Remind them to keep their body as still as possible to maintain balance and move efficiently.
• Relaxed hands: Keep their hands relaxed but firm to maximise control.

Wave 3 focuses on building your child’s confidence in breathing, treading water, and stroke coordination. Helping them master these skills without rushing will set them up for success in future waves, where stamina and precision will be even more important. Remember, patience and practice are key to ensuring your child feels confident as they move through the waves.