The Starfish Journey for Babies and Young Children ~ Level 1 to 6

 STARFISH is an innovative series of 6 progressive awards designed to introduce babies from a few months old with the accompanying adult to a water adventure where water confidence and safety skills are introduced.

The series is undertaken in shallow water with the guardian in the water holding and supporting the baby. Buoyancy aids may be worn but they are not necessary as the guardian is holding the baby throughout. It is important that the baby is also supported properly, including the head; eye contact should always be maintained and words of encouragement frequently given.

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6

Learning Outcomes

1. Safe entry into the pool by both adult and baby
2. Using swing dips to introduce baby to the water
3. Supporting baby on the front and move freely around the pool
4. Supporting baby on the back and move freely around the pool
5. Cueing baby and washing face with water
6. Exiting pool safely

Level 2

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• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6

Learning Outcomes

1. Holding baby facing you and submerging yourself in the water for baby to see
2. Moving freely around the pool using the safety hold
3. Moving around the pool using the seat hold, bobbing baby up and down
4. Supporting baby on the back while walking backwards and zigzagging through the water
5. Encouraging baby to wash their face with water or submerging baby in the water, holding baby towards the adult
6. Encouraging baby to hold onto the poolside, with assistance, if necessary

Level 3

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6

Learning Outcomes

1. Supporting baby under the arms and encouraging baby to flop gently into the water from a sitting position on the poolside
2. Encouraging baby to move from a front position to a back position using flip-flop rhythmical movements
3. Encouraging baby to reach for a toy while moving around the pool, supporting baby on the front
4. Helping baby to use a kicking action to move through the water while supporting baby on the back
5. Using the safety hold to support baby and rolling baby away from you, then gently back towards you
6. Using a buoyancy aid to support yourself, float in the water and lay baby on your chest or have baby sit on your tummy, all the while making eye contact

Level 4

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• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6

Learning Outcomes

1. Supporting baby by the arms or hands to encourage movement into the pool from a sitting position
2. Using a forward hold to encourage and gently submerge baby
3. Using the Little Harbour hold to move around the pool while encouraging movement from baby
4. Encouraging baby to roll from a front position to a back position with support
5. Encouraging movement from baby by swiftly walking backwards while supporting baby on the back.
6. Assisting and encouraging baby to hold onto the poolside and climb out (if baby has the physical ability)

Level 5

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• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6

Learning Outcomes

1. Holding baby’s arms or hands, encouraging baby to jump into the water from a standing position on the poolside
2. Supporting baby while encouraging them to roll from a back position to a front position
3. Encouraging baby to make kicking movements with support either in a front surf hold or using a woggle
4. Encouraging baby with cues to submerge in a Duckling Dive
5. Swimming around the pool with baby holding onto your back
6. Cueing baby to submerge vertically and rotate 180° in the pool
7. Supporting baby in a front hold, encouraging baby to move forwards and grasp a toy, then return with support in a back float position

Level 6

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6

Learning Outcomes

1. Encouraging baby to enter the water freely from a sitting position on the poolside
2. Encouraging baby to move freely through the water, either with minimal support or with the use of a buoyancy aid
3. Cueing baby to submerge vertically and rotate 360° in the pool
4. Supporting baby by the hands and encouraging movement in a figure of 8 or snaking pattern through the water
5. Taking baby for a front or back ride through the water, with or without support
6. Cueing baby to submerge in a Duckling Dive towards the poolside and encouraging baby to hold onto the poolside and climb out (if baby has the physical ability)