The ASA Learn to Swim Framework is about developing confident and competent swimmers through fun and enjoyment, and stages 1-7 are at the heart of the ASA Learn to Swim Pathway.
It is the most widely known part of swimming lessons for children and is the backbone of swimming lessons for primary school aged children.
Each of the seven stages of the ASA Learn to Swim Framework has a clear set of targets for the pupil to meet so they can get to the next stage.
The ASA recommends that children don’t just stop going to lessons once they can swim, increasing their competence in the water helps to make sure they can keep themselves safe.
This part of the Pathway not only teaches a child to swim using the four strokes. It also gives them a number of other skills, which when put together, give children the ability to do a range of other water-based sports.
The ASA Learn to Swim Framework gives children confidence in their ability to swim. From this comes more enjoyment of swimming, a love for swimming and being in the water and the skills and motivation required to lead a healthy and active lifestyle through regular swimming through to their adult life.
Fun and Games with the ASA Learn to Swim Framework
The easiest way for a child to learn a new skill is through fun and games. This Framework still has a high focus on having fun and enjoying being in the water.
It takes a games-led approach to learning to swim, and gives the core aquatic skills needed to become competent swimmers. These are:
- Entry
- Exits
- Flotation and Balance
- Rotation and Orientation
- Streamlining
- Aquatic Breathing
- Travel and Coordination
- Water Safety
- Health and Fitness
By learning and then mixing together these skills, a child will be able to understand the processes needed to swim all of the four strokes; front crawl, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly.