Swimsafer Stage 2

Yes, it is possible for a child with a water phobia to learn how to swim. Overcoming a fear of water can be a gradual process that requires patience, understanding, and proper guidance. Here are a few steps you can take to help your child learn to swim despite their water phobia:
Seek professional guidance: Enroll your child in swimming lessons taught by experienced instructors who are skilled in working with children who have water phobias or anxieties. They can provide the necessary support and guidance tailored to your child’s needs.
Start with familiarization: Begin by gradually introducing your child to the water in a controlled and safe environment. Encourage them to dip their toes in the water, splash around, or play with toys in the shallow end. Familiarization can help reduce anxiety and build confidence.
Take it slowly: Allow your child to progress at their own pace. It’s important not to rush or force them into situations that make them uncomfortable. Gradually introduce them to deeper water, always maintaining a supportive and reassuring presence.
Use flotation devices: Provide your child with appropriate flotation devices, such as life jackets or arm floaties, to help them feel secure and confident in the water. These devices can provide an added sense of safety while they learn to swim.
Positive reinforcement: Encourage and praise your child’s efforts and progress, no matter how small. Positive reinforcement helps build confidence and creates a positive association with swimming.
Make it fun: Incorporate enjoyable activities and games into swimming sessions. Fun activities can help distract your child from their fears and make the learning process more enjoyable.
Be patient and supportive: Overcoming a water phobia takes time and patience. Offer your child plenty of emotional support, reassurance, and understanding throughout the learning process.
Remember, each child is unique, and it may take some time for your child to feel comfortable in the water. It’s crucial to respect their boundaries and never force them into situations that cause excessive distress. With patience, guidance, and professional support, your child can gradually overcome their water phobia and learn to swim.

Treading water and feet first surface dive. This really helps your child to gain water confident to another level progressively.

If your child fails the SwimSafer Stage 2 test in their MOE (Ministry of Education) SwimSafer program, there are a few options available:
Option #1– Retake the test: Your child can have another opportunity to retake the SwimSafer Stage 1 test after some additional practice and preparation (you can find one with your friend’s recommendation or any existing swimming classes that your child’s best friend is also learning swimming to join him).

Option #2– Talk to the instructor or the program coordinator to understand the specific requirements and expectations for the test. They can provide guidance on areas that need improvement and suggest strategies for success.

Option #3– Participate in remedial classes: The SwimSafer program may offer remedial classes or additional practice sessions for children who did not pass the test. These classes can provide focused attention and additional instruction to help your child strengthen their skills and improve their performance. CHeck with the MOE Teacher.

Option #4– Continue swimming lessons: If your child did not pass Stage 1, it might be beneficial to continue regular swimming lessons to further develop their swimming abilities. Consistent practice and instruction can help build confidence and improve skills over time. Your child can work on the specific areas they struggled with during the test and gradually progress to meet the Stage 1 requirements.

Option #5– Consider private lessons: If your child needs more individualized attention or has specific areas that require extra focus, you might consider private swimming lessons. A qualified swimming instructor can tailor the lessons to your child’s needs and work on the specific skills necessary and preparing them well for passing the SwimSafer Stage 1 test.

Option #6– Join our 6 days holiday swimsafer program. It is an exciting aquatic adventure that promises to enhance your child’s swimming skills and provide endless fun in the water. Whether you’re a beginner seeking to overcome your fear of water or an advanced swimmer aiming to refine your technique, this program offers a comprehensive and enjoyable experience for individuals of all ages and abilities. The enrolment is open in Aug-Sept for Dec Holiday swim program and Mar-April for June Holiday Swim Program. Read more here.

Remember that failing the test is not uncommon, and it does not mean that your child cannot succeed in learning to swim. It is essential to provide encouragement and support to help them overcome any setbacks and keep them motivated to continue their swimming journey.

Learning to wear a life jacket and jump into a deep pool is essential for several important reasons:
Water Safety: Wearing a life jacket is a crucial aspect of water safety, particularly in deep bodies of water. It provides buoyancy and helps keep individuals afloat, even if they are not confident swimmers. By learning how to properly wear and adjust a life jacket, individuals can ensure their safety and increase their chances of staying afloat in case of an emergency.
Emergency Situations: Accidents can happen even to the most experienced swimmers. If someone finds themselves unexpectedly in deep water without any flotation device, knowing how to wear a life jacket becomes a vital skill. By practicing wearing a life jacket and jumping into a deep pool, individuals become familiar with the sensation of being in deep water and learn how to rely on the life jacket for support and buoyancy.
Overcoming Fear: Jumping into a deep pool can be intimidating, especially for individuals who are not confident swimmers or who have a fear of deep water. By gradually exposing oneself to deeper water and practicing jumps with a life jacket on, individuals can build confidence and overcome their fear. This helps develop a sense of comfort and security, allowing them to enjoy aquatic activities without unnecessary anxiety.
Emergency Preparedness: In situations where someone falls into deep water unexpectedly, knowing how to react quickly and appropriately is crucial. By practicing jumps into deep water with a life jacket, individuals develop muscle memory and reflexes that can potentially save lives. They learn to stay calm, keep their head above water, and await assistance or swim to safety.
Practical Experience: Jumping into a deep pool while wearing a life jacket provides practical experience and familiarity with the sensations of being in deep water. It allows individuals to become accustomed to the weight and buoyancy of the life jacket, enabling them to adjust their movements and swimming technique accordingly. This hands-on experience enhances their understanding of their own capabilities and limitations in deep water.
By learning to wear a life jacket and jump into a deep pool, individuals acquire important water safety skills, gain confidence, overcome fears, and become better prepared to handle emergency situations. These skills can significantly contribute to their overall safety and enjoyment of aquatic activities.

You can get more information here.

In Swimsafer Stage 1, they will be taught briefly to open eye without goggle. So for Swimsafer Stage 2, He/ She has to get use to open the eye in the water. Overtime if the activity is done briefly for 2-3 min to try opening the eye in the water without goggle, they will get use to it in just a matter of time. We will play games like pick colored object without goggle and making sure they pick the right color when requested.

Stage 2 your child will learn to tread water briefly in less than 30 sec

The purpose of picking up an object without wearing goggles is to simulate a real-life situation where someone may accidentally drop an object in the water and need to retrieve it without the aid of goggles or other visual assistance. This exercise serves several important purposes:
Adaptability: In real-life situations, it is not always possible to have goggles or any form of visual aid readily available. By practicing picking up objects without goggles, individuals learn to adapt and rely on their other senses, such as touch and spatial awareness, to locate and retrieve items underwater.
Emergency Situations: Accidents can happen unexpectedly, and individuals may find themselves in situations where they need to retrieve a dropped object or rescue someone without the luxury of goggles. By practicing this skill, individuals develop the ability to react quickly and efficiently, even in less-than-ideal circumstances.
Skill Development: Picking up objects without goggles challenges individuals to improve their tactile perception and hand-eye coordination. They learn to navigate the water with reduced visibility, enhancing their ability to locate and retrieve objects with precision.
Safety Awareness: Engaging in activities without goggles helps individuals become more aware of potential hazards or obstacles in the water. They become attuned to the importance of cautious movements and careful exploration, which can prevent accidents and injuries.
Confidence Building: By successfully picking up objects without goggles, individuals gain confidence in their swimming and retrieval abilities. This exercise allows them to develop a sense of self-reliance and resourcefulness, boosting their overall confidence in water-related activities.
It is worth noting that this exercise should be conducted in a controlled and supervised environment, particularly for individuals who are not experienced swimmers. Safety precautions should always be taken, and participants should be mindful of their limitations and comfort level in the water.
By practicing the skill of picking up objects without goggles, individuals enhance their adaptability, emergency response capabilities, and overall swimming proficiency, allowing them to be better prepared for real-life scenarios where visual aids may not be readily available.

15m back swimming, 25m Front Swimming and Treading water 30 sec.