| Learn to swim | Adult | Special needs | Support badges |
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At Splash we believe that achievement badges can be tremendously successful in motivating and rewarding children during swimming lessons.
For many years we have been supporters of the STA badge scheme and we are supporting their new ISWSS (International Swimming & Water Safety Standards)scheme. This will continue to promote the principle of quality standards when awarding badges but recognises that as pupils can develop at different speeds a wider range of awards is needed to provide continuing motivation to each swimmer.
The STA, in conjunction with the Rubbadubbers, is launching the First Steps Series, designed to teach pre-school children, from as young as 2 years old, to learn to swim through 14 progressive steps; it also teaches basic water safety as an integral part of the scheme. This replaces, the Teddy Bear, Tadpole and Pool Frog Series.
There are now 4 main types of badge in the new scheme. Learn to swim, Adult, Special Needs, and Supporting badges
The learn to swim series is designed to reflect the pupils age.
Early years (up to 2 years old) with Cygnet series
First Steps (2 years+) with
Advanced ( 5-8 years).
The Supporting series covers Waterskills, Distance, Survival, First aid, Diving and Platinum.
When awarding these badges we have to adhere to the judging guidelines. This should ensure that wherever a badge is awarded the pupil will be of a similar achievement level. We must therefore ensure that technique is sufficiently developed not just distance covered.