Words such as "diving", "swimming", "floating" and "gliding" evoke the pleasure that can be derived from aquatic activities. Indeed, it is not surprising that various forms of aquatic recreation feature prominently among our favourite pastimes). Given the sedentary lifestyles and lack of physical activity (PA) observed for many years among young people, water can be a rich and abundant medium for PA, allowing a sustained commitment to an active and healthy lifestyle. Water activities are often promoted for their health benefits, and the fact that positive childhood experiences have a significant impact on lifelong engagement should encourage educators to provide maximum enjoyment and confidence to children who discover this environment.
However, these benefits can be tragically overshadowed if children are not protected from drowning. This "dark side" of water recreation is partly responsible for the deaths of more than 365,000 people worldwide each year, half of whom are children and adolescents. According to the WHO, this tragedy is not fatal and could be significantly reduced by a series of policy, structural and educational measures.
Among these, quality aquatic education from an early age appears to be the key to empowering them to be protected from drowning and, at the same time, to participate in the aquatic environment with enjoyment, knowledge and confidence.
The "Aquatic Literacy for All Children" project, supported by Erasmus + sport fundings, aims to improve learning to swim programs in Europe and worldwide by assessing the level of aquatic literacy in children aged 6-12 years.
Aquatic literacy represents "the motivation, confidence, aquatic motor skills and knowledge that enable engagement in the aquatic environment with safety and enjoyment, promoting access to and persistence in a range of activities and sports in, on and around water". In this model, the higher an individual's level of aquatic literacy, the more likely they are to engage in aquatic activities while ensuring their own safety.
The importance of developing the Aquatic Literacy Level for All Children
Epidemiological studies around the world show that children are at high risk of drowning. It is therefore essential to equip them from an early age with all the motor, psychological and social skills and knowledge that can protect them from this danger.
While the danger is real, it is also important to make water experiences as positive as possible to encourage children to participate in physical activities in, on and around water. Developing children's aquatic literacy skills makes it possible to achieve these two objectives simultaneously.
Assessing a child's level of aquatic literacy is a real challenge. Aquatic literacy is a set of motor skills, knowledge, social skills and psychological states related to water, making it complex to assess.
This involves assessing the aquatic motor repertoire using isolated tasks, using aquatic parcours to assess the ability to link and combine different aquatic skills and make appropriate choices, asking pupils about their enjoyment, confidence, and desire to participate in water sports and how they perceive the risks.
The ALFAC test battery is administered in different stages.
The aim of the ALFAC test battery is to assess the aquatic literacy of children aged 6-12 in a given region.
As with the PISA tests, the aim is to identify priority areas for progress to enable children to develop their level of aquatic literacy by improving teaching methods and making the education system more inclusive.
To date, 7 countries are participating in the project: Belgium, France, Germany, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, and Portugal.
This English version of this manual is intended to offer other countries the opportunity to use the ALFAC battery of tests.
Van Droogenbroeck, L., Mekkaoui, L., De Martelaer, K., D’Hondt, E., Staub, I., Vogt, T., Mankiene, U., Vilius, M., Ljodal, I., Olstad, B., Simonsen, E., Kwasna, A., Rejman, M., Rudnik, D., Costa, A. M., Costa, M.J., Fernandes, R., Garrido, N.D., Santos, C.C., Soares, S., Vilas-Boas, J-P., Denis, F. & Potdevin, F. (2024). ALFAC assessor guidelines: the complete ALFAC test battery. 1st Edition. Publisher.
ISBN:
Common Licence:
Acknowledgement: The entire ALFAC consortium would like to thank the primary schools in Brussels, Cologne, Lille, Saint-Amand, Oslo, Porto, Vilnius and Wroclaw, which helped to develop and test all the tests.
The purpose of the ALFAC questionnaire is to assess various aspects of children’s aquatic skills and recreation through self-report.
To this end, the ALFAC questionnaire consists of 6 different parts, each of which contains several items.
PART 1 – Motivation in the context of swimming
PART 2 – Confidence in a swimming pool
PART 3 – Perceived (isolated) aquatic skills
PART 4 – Enjoyment in the context of swimming, including the social aspect
PART 5 – Engagement in water-based sports and activities in a swimming pool and an open water context
PART 6 – Risk perception in a swimming pool and an open water context
See appendix for the “ALFAC child questionnaire – booklet version”; “ALFAC child questionnaire – scoring grid version” and the PDF presentation of the ALFAC child questionnaire. It is advised to use the booklet version for the youngest ones (aged 6 to 8 years old) and to use the scoring grid version for the oldest ones (aged 8 to 12 years old). The (intellectual) level of the children can also determine the choice of the version which will be used.
The ALFAC Child questionnaire is designed for all children aged 6-12 years.
The standardized equipment to be used for the administration of the ALFAC child questionnaire in a classroom setting is listed in the table below.
Hard copies of the ALFAC child questionnaire |
Pencils or pens (i.e., one writing pencil per child) |
Smartboard / digital whiteboard and/or beamer |
Each child has a hard copy of the ALFAC child questionnaire on his or her desk. For the oldest children (aged 8 to 12 years), it is advised to use the “ALFAC child questionnaire – scoring grid version” ; for the youngest children (aged 6 to 8 years) it is advised to use “ALFAC child questionnaire – booklet version”. The ALFAC assessor stands at the front of the classroom to guide the administration of the questionnaire. The classroom needs to be equipped with a smartboard/digital whiteboard or beamer in order to display and present the questions, together with the different answer option(s) for each item (e.g. using the PDF reading mode).
A specially trained ALFAC assessor administers the AFLAC child questionnaire with the support of the class teacher (or another member of the school staff). The ALFAC assessor is responsible for reading out loud the different items of the questionnaire and providing explanations and/or clarifications as necessary (see below), while standing in front of the classroom. The teacher (or another member of the school staff) walks around in the classroom, keeping an eye on the children to ensure they complete the questionnaire correctly.
At the beginning of the session, the children are given a brief verbal explanation of the ALFAC project and the associated ALFAC child questionnaire, including what will be assessed and how the session will be conducted. In the following section (i.e., “Step by step instructions for the ALFAC child questionnaire”), a more specific script for this introduction can be found in view . Only then does the teacher give the questionnaires to the children.
The table below provides an overview of the pictograms and their explanations as being used in this manual.
Pictograms | Actions |
---|---|
Read |
Read the question and instructions out loud |
Dot |
Name the symbol before you read the associated question out loud |
Swimming Pool |
Icon indicating that the question relates to a “swimming pool” context |
Open Water |
Icon indicating that the question relates to an “open water” context |
Explanations |
Show on the smart board or display how the children have to answer the question. For example, circle an answer option. Do this every time this pictogram is shown (i.e., every time the instructions and/or answer options are different from the previous question or page) |
Specific Actions |
Icon indicating specific actions to be done by the ALFAC assessor or teacher |
Questions |
Check if the questions and/or tasks involved are clear to the children Check if the children have completed everything on their current page |
Page |
Let the children turn their page (and also turn the page of your assessor’s manual at the same time) |
The next section provides the step-by-step instructions for administering the full ALFAC child questionnaire in a classroom setting, being supported by the pictograms mentioned above.
A page in the step-by-step instructions in this manual corresponds to the same page in the paper copy of questionnaire given to the children. Each time the children have to turn their page of the questionnaire, the AFLAC assessor turns the page of this manual at the same time (as a visual indication to move on to the next phase). If you are using the short form questionnaire, follow the same procedure by showing the children the page and the question to complete.
Finally, it should be noted that one or more breaks can be flexibly inserted by mutual agreement between the ALFAC assessor and the teacher in order to maintain the attention of the children at all while they are completing the ALFAC child questionnaire.
Pictograms | Actions |
---|---|
Read |
"Hello everyone! My name is xxx. Today each of you will complete the ALFAC child questionnaire as part of a European project looking on aquatic skills and recreation. I will walk you all through this whole questionnaire together and guide you in completing it. The ALFAC questionnaire, which will be handed out in just a moment, consists of 6 different parts. Each part of the questionnaire consists of several questions to be answered. I will always read out the question loud first, before you can mark your answer on your sheet. Please note that there are no wrong answers! Just try to be as honest as possible and make sure you complete every item. Do not look at the sheet of your classroom neighbor(s). We will go through this bundle question by question at the same pace. This means that you cannot go to the next question or page, until I tell you and also turn my page. So, do not jump ahead, but wait until everyone is ready to move on to the next question or page. Does anyone have any questions ? OK, here we go!" |
Specific Actions |
The teacher hands out the ALFAC child questionnaire immediately after this introduction. Each child is given 1 personal copy and pen to complete the questionnaire at his/her desk. |
Specific Actions |
The ALFAC assessor presents the front page of the questionnaire on the smartboard or display. |
Pictograms | Actions |
---|---|
Read |
"Before we start with the questionnaire, you can fill in the blue boxes on the front page yourself*: Write your last name in the top blue box, and in the blue box immediately below that you write your first name. Then, in the lower blue box, you should circle “yes” if you are 8 years or older. If you are currently under the age of 8 , circle "no." If you need help filling in the front page’s blue boxes, please raise your hand. The teacher or myself will come and help you. You do not have to fill in the grey boxes yourself, the teacher will do this for you." *Instructions for completing the front page expire for children from the 1st and 2nd grade. Prior to administering the ALFAC questionnaire, this front page should be completed beforehand by the teacher for each participating 1st and 2nd grade child. |
Explanations |
Point out the three blue boxes to be completed on the smartboard. |
Specific Actions |
The ALFAC assessor and teacher help the children in need to complete this information on the front page. |
Questions |
"Please check that you have filled out every blue box on your sheet." |
Page |
"Since this is OK now for everyone, each of you may now turn this front page and go to the next page in the bundle, showing you the very first question." |
Specific Actions |
Present the next page of the questionnaire on the smartboard or display. |
Pictograms | Actions |
---|---|
Read |
"We will start with the 1st part of the questionnaire: MOTIVATION. Circle the colored smiley that best describes you for each of the sentences below. Please wait to circle a smiley on each line until I have read the sentence out loud. Attention: The questions on this page are all about being "IN THE SWIMMING POOL" as indicated by the icon on top of all sentences."
"Sentence 1: "In the swimming pool, I like to be active or to play". Is the meaning of this sentence clear to everyone? OK, you can now circle the colored smiley that best describes you next to this 1st sentence. Circle the red smiley if you think this is not true at all for you. Circle the orange smiley if you think this is not true for you. Circle the yellow smiley if you think this is sometimes true for you. Circle the light green smiley if you think this is true for you. Circle the dark green smiley if you think this is totally true for you." |
Explanations |
Circle the different smileys on the smartboard as you provide the explanation that goes with each of them, when going over the possible answer options. |
Read |
"Sentence 2: "I understand the benefits of being active or to play in the swimming pool." Is the meaning of this sentence clear to everyone? OK, you can now circle the colored smiley that best describes you next to this 2nd sentence.
Sentence 3: "In life, it is important for me to be able to be active or to play in the swimming pool." Is the meaning of this sentence clear to everyone? OK, you can now circle the colored smiley that best describes you next to this 3rd sentence.
Sentence 4: "It is pleasant for me to be active or to play in the swimming pool." Is the meaning of this sentence clear to everyone? OK, you can now circle the colored smiley that best describes you next to this 4th sentence.
Sentence 5: "Being active or playing in the swimming pool is fun for me." Is the meaning of this sentence clear to everyone? OK, you can now circle the colored smiley that best describes you next to this 5th sentence.
Sentence 6: "It is important for me to be active or to play in the swimming pool." Is the meaning of this sentence clear to everyone? OK, you can now circle the colored smiley that best describes you next to this 6th and final sentence on MOTIVATION.” |
Questions |
"Please check that you have completed every row on your sheet by circling a colored smiley next to each sentence. Is everybody ready…?" |
Page |
"OK, you can now all turn your sheet and go to the next page in the bundle." |
Specific Actions |
Present the next page of the questionnaire on the smartboard. |
Pictograms | Actions |
---|---|
Read |
"OK. Now we have come to the 2nd part of the questionnaire: CONFIDENCE. Circle the colored smiley that best describes you for each of the sentences below. Please wait to circle a smiley on each row until I have read the sentence out loud first. Attention: The questions on this page are all about being "IN THE SWIMMING POOL” as indicated by the icon next to each sentence." The sentence at the dot is: "I feel confident when I’m going to the swimming pool."
Is the meaning of this sentence clear to everyone? OK, you can now circle the colored smiley that best describes you below this sentence. Circle the red smiley if you think this is not true at all for you. Circle the orange smiley if you think this is not true for you. Circle the yellow smiley if you think this is sometimes true for you. Circle the light green smiley if you think this is true for you. Circle the dark green smiley if you think this is totally true for you." |
Read |
Circle the different smileys on the smartboard as you provide the explanation that goes with each of them, when going over the possible answer options. |
Questions |
"Please check that you have completed everything on your sheet by indicating an answer with the dot as well as with the square on your sheet. Is everybody ready…?" |
Page |
"OK, you may can now all turn your sheet and go to the next page in the bundle." |
Specific Actions |
Present the next page of the questionnaire on the smartboard. |
Pictograms | Actions |
---|---|
Read |
"OK. The 3rd part of the questionnaire relates to some specific aquatic skills that are performed in deep water (i.e., where your feet cannot touch the bottom of the pool). We are going to show you five possible ways to ENTER THE WATER." "On the first page you will see a first way to ENTER THE WATER, namely: Climb down a ladder, let go of it and float free in the deep water for 3 seconds." |
Questions |
Is it clear to everyone what is meant by the task? |
Read |
"On this particular task you are going to answer two questions. At the dot, the question is: "Have you ever DONE this?" If you have ever done this task before, circle "YES"." |
Explanations |
Circle "YES" on the smartboard. |
Read |
"If you have never done this before, circle "NO"." |
Explanations |
Circle "NO" on the smartboard. |
Read |
"At the square, the question is: "Do you THINK you can do this?" If you think you can do this task, circle "YES" If you don’t think you can do this task yet, circle "NO"." |
Explanations |
Circle "YES" / "NO" on the smartboard. |
Questions |
"Please check that you have completed everything on your sheet by indicating an answer next to the dot as well as next to the square on your sheet. Is everybody ready…?" |
Page |
"OK, you can now all turn your sheet and go to the next page in the bundle." |
Specific Actions |
Present the next page of the AFLAC child questionnaire on the smartboard. |
Pictograms | Actions |
---|---|
Read |
"On this page you will see another way to ENTER THE WATER, namely: Slide down into the water from a fixed floating mat and float free in the deep water for 3 seconds." |
Questions |
"Is it clear to everyone what is meant by the task?" |
Read |
On this particular task you are going to answer two questions again.
At the dot, the question is: "Have you ever DONE this?" If you have ever done this task before, circle "YES".
At the square, the question is: "Do you THINK you can do this?" If you think you can do this task, circle "YES" If you don’t think you can do this task yet, circle "NO"." |
Questions |
"Please check that you have completed everything on your sheet by indicating an answer with the dot as well as with the square on your sheet. Is everybody ready…?" |
Page |
"OK, you can now all turn your sheet and go to the next page in the bundle." |
Specific Actions |
Present the next page of the questionnaire on the smartboard. |
Pictograms | Actions |
---|---|
Read |
"On this page you will see another way to ENTER THE WATER, namely: Jump into the water from a fixed floating mat and float free in the deep water for 3 seconds.” |
Questions |
"Is it clear to everyone what is meant by the task?" |
Read |
On this particular task you are going to answer two questions again.
At the dot, the question is: "Have you ever DONE this?" If you have ever done this task before, circle "YES".
At the square, the question is: "Do you THINK you can do this?" If you think you can do this task, circle "YES" If you don’t think you can do this task yet, circle "NO"." |
Questions |
"Please check that you have completed everything on your sheet by indicating an answer with the dot as well as with the square on your sheet. Is everybody ready…?" |
Page |
"OK, you may now all turn your sheet and go to the next page in the bundle." |
Specific Actions |
Present the next page of the questionnaire on the smartboard. |
Pictograms | Actions |
---|---|
Read |
"On this page you will see another way to ENTER THE WATER, namely: Roll forward into the water from a fixed floating mat and float free in the deep water for 3 seconds." |
Questions |
"Is it clear to everyone what is meant by the task?" |
Read |
On this particular task you are going to answer two questions again.
At the dot, the question is: "Have you ever DONE this?" If you have ever done this task before, circle "YES".
At the square, the question is: "Do you THINK you can do this?" If you think you can do this task, circle "YES" If you don’t think you can do this task yet, circle "NO"." |
Questions |
"Please check that you have completed everything on your sheet by indicating an answer with the dot as well as with the square on your sheet. Is everybody ready…?" |
Page |
"OK, you may now all turn your sheet and go to the next page in the bundle." |
Specific Actions |
Present the next page of the questionnaire on the smartboard. |
Pictograms | Actions |
---|---|
Read |
"On this page you will see another way to ENTER THE WATER, namely: Roll forward into the water from a fixed floating mat and float free in the deep water for 3 seconds." |
Questions |
"Is it clear to everyone what is meant by the task?" |
Read |
On this particular task you are going to answer two questions again.
At the dot, the question is: "Have you ever DONE this?" If you have ever done this task before, circle "YES".
At the square, the question is: "Do you THINK you can do this?" If you think you can do this task, circle "YES" If you don’t think you can do this task yet, circle "NO"." |
Questions |
"Please check that you have completed everything on your sheet by indicating an answer with the dot as well as with the square on your sheet. Is everybody ready…?" |
Page |
"OK, you may now all turn your sheet and go to the next page in the bundle." |
Specific Actions |
Present the next page of the questionnaire on the smartboard. |
Pictograms | Actions |
---|---|
Read |
"OK. We are now going to show you five possible ways to EXIT THE WATER. Attention: It is thus no longer about going INTO the deep water, but about getting OUT of the deep water quickly. "On this page you will see a first way to EXIT THE WATER to be performed in no more than 5 seconds, namely: Climb up a ladder and let go of it when you are standing at the edge of the pool." |
Questions |
"Is it clear to everyone what is meant by the task?" |
Read |
On this particular task you are going to answer two questions again.
At the dot, the question is: "Have you ever DONE this?" If you have ever done this task before, circle "YES".
At the square, the question is: "Do you THINK you can do this?" If you think you can do this task, circle "YES" If you don’t think you can do this task yet, circle "NO"." |
Questions |
"Please check that you have completed everything on your sheet by indicating an answer with the dot as well as with the square on your sheet. Is everybody ready…?" |
Page |
"OK, you may now all turn your sheet and go to the next page in the bundle." |
Specific Actions |
Present the next page of the questionnaire on the smartboard. |
Pictograms | Actions |
---|---|
Read |
"On this page you will see another way to EXIT OF THE WATER to be performed in no more than 5 seconds, namely: Climb onto a fixed floating mat, sit on your knees, release it with your hands and hold the position for 3 seconds." |
Questions |
"Is it clear to everyone what is meant by the task?" |
Read |
On this particular task you are going to answer two questions again.
At the dot, the question is: "Have you ever DONE this?" If you have ever done this task before, circle "YES".
At the square, the question is: "Do you THINK you can do this?" If you think you can do this task, circle "YES" If you don’t think you can do this task yet, circle "NO"." |
Questions |
"Please check that you have completed everything on your sheet by indicating an answer with the dot as well as with the square on your sheet. Is everybody ready…?" |
Page |
"OK, you may now all turn your sheet and go to the next page in the bundle." |
Specific Actions |
Present the next page of the questionnaire on the smartboard. |
Pictograms | Actions |
---|---|
Read |
"On this page you will see another way to EXIT OF THE WATER to be performed in no more than 5 seconds, namely: Climb onto two stacked fixed floating mats, sit on your knees, release it with your hands and hold the position for 3 seconds." |
Questions |
"Is it clear to everyone what is meant by the task?" |
Read |
On this particular task you are going to answer two questions again.
At the dot, the question is: "Have you ever DONE this?" If you have ever done this task before, circle "YES".
At the square, the question is: "Do you THINK you can do this?" If you think you can do this task, circle "YES" If you don’t think you can do this task yet, circle "NO"." |
Questions |
"Please check that you have completed everything on your sheet by indicating an answer with the dot as well as with the square on your sheet. Is everybody ready…?" |
Page |
"OK, you may now all turn your sheet and go to the next page in the bundle." |
Specific Actions |
Present the next page of the questionnaire on the smartboard. |
Pictograms | Actions |
---|---|
Read |
"On this page you will see another way to EXIT OF THE WATER to be performed in no more than 5 seconds, namely: Climb onto one free floating mat, sit on your knees, release it with your hands and hold the position for 3 seconds." |
Questions |
"Is it clear to everyone what is meant by the task?" |
Read |
On this particular task you are going to answer two questions again.
At the dot, the question is: "Have you ever DONE this?" If you have ever done this task before, circle "YES".
At the square, the question is: "Do you THINK you can do this?" If you think you can do this task, circle "YES" If you don’t think you can do this task yet, circle "NO"." |
Questions |
"Please check that you have completed everything on your sheet by indicating an answer with the dot as well as with the square on your sheet. Is everybody ready…?" |
Page |
"OK, you may now all turn your sheet and go to the next page in the bundle." |
Specific Actions |
Present the next page of the questionnaire on the smartboard. |
Pictograms | Actions |
---|---|
Read |
"On this page you will see another way to EXIT OF THE WATER to be performed in no more than 5 seconds, namely: Climb onto two stacked free floating mats, sit on your knees, release it with your hands and hold the position for 3 seconds." |
Questions |
"Is it clear to everyone what is meant by the task?" |
Read |
On this particular task you are going to answer two questions again.
At the dot, the question is: "Have you ever DONE this?" If you have ever done this task before, circle "YES".
At the square, the question is: "Do you THINK you can do this?" If you think you can do this task, circle "YES" If you don’t think you can do this task yet, circle "NO"." |
Questions |
"Please check that you have completed everything on your sheet by indicating an answer with the dot as well as with the square on your sheet. Is everybody ready…?" |
Page |
"OK, you may now all turn your sheet and go to the next page in the bundle." |
Specific Actions |
Present the next page of the questionnaire on the smartboard. |
Pictograms | Actions |
---|---|
Read |
"On this page you can see the task ROTATION IN A VERTICAL BODY POSITION… You are in deep water, turn once like the beam from a lighthouse with your chin and ears out of the water." |
Questions |
"Is it clear to everyone what is meant by the task?" |
Read |
On this particular task you are going to answer two questions again.
At the dot, the question is: "Have you ever DONE this?" If you have ever done this task before, circle "YES". If you have never done this before, circle "NO"."
At the square, the question is: "Do you THINK you can do this?" If you think you can do this task, circle "YES" If you don’t think you can do this task yet, circle "NO"." |
Questions |
"Please check that you have completed everything on your sheet by indicating an answer with the dot as well as with the square on your sheet. Is everybody ready…?" |
Page |
"OK, you may now all turn your sheet and go to the next page in the bundle." |
Specific Actions |
Present the next page of the questionnaire on the smartboard. |
Pictograms | Actions |
---|---|
Read |
"On this page you can see the task ROTATION IN A LYING BODY POSITION… You are in deep water, rotate from your back to your belly and back whilst lying in deep water like a rolling log in the water." |
Questions |
"Is it clear to everyone what is meant by the task?" |
Read |
On this particular task you are going to answer two questions again.
At the dot, the question is: "Have you ever DONE this?" If you have ever done this task before, circle "YES". If you have never done this before, circle "NO"."
At the square, the question is: "Do you THINK you can do this?" If you think you can do this task, circle "YES" If you don’t think you can do this task yet, circle "NO"." |
Questions |
"Please check that you have completed everything on your sheet by indicating an answer with the dot as well as with the square on your sheet. Is everybody ready…?" |
Page |
"OK, you may now all turn your sheet and go to the next page in the bundle." |
Specific Actions |
Present the next page of the questionnaire on the smartboard. |
Pictograms | Actions |
---|---|
Read |
"On this page you can see the task ROTATION IN A HORIZONTAL BODY POSITION… You are in deep water, tilt your body from your back to your belly (with your heels coming out of the water for a short moment) and then turn or swing back from your belly to your back (with your toes coming out of the water for a short moment)." |
Questions |
"Is it clear to everyone what is meant by the task?" |
Read |
On this particular task you are going to answer two questions again.
At the dot, the question is: "Have you ever DONE this?" If you have ever done this task before, circle "YES". If you have never done this before, circle "NO"."
At the square, the question is: "Do you THINK you can do this?" If you think you can do this task, circle "YES" If you don’t think you can do this task yet, circle "NO"." |
Questions |
"Please check that you have completed everything on your sheet by indicating an answer with the dot as well as with the square on your sheet. Is everybody ready…?" |
Page |
"OK, you may now all turn your sheet and go to the next page in the bundle." |
Specific Actions |
Present the next page of the questionnaire on the smartboard. |
Pictograms | Actions |
---|---|
Read |
"On this page you can see the task FORWARD ROTATION… You are in deep water, make a forward somersault under water with the head first in and out of the water." |
Questions |
"Is it clear to everyone what is meant by the task?" |
Read |
On this particular task you are going to answer two questions again.
At the dot, the question is: "Have you ever DONE this?" If you have ever done this task before, circle "YES". If you have never done this before, circle "NO"."
At the square, the question is: "Do you THINK you can do this?" If you think you can do this task, circle "YES" If you don’t think you can do this task yet, circle "NO"." |
Questions |
"Please check that you have completed everything on your sheet by indicating an answer with the dot as well as with the square on your sheet. Is everybody ready…?" |
Page |
"OK, you may now all turn your sheet and go to the next page in the bundle." |
Specific Actions |
Present the next page of the questionnaire on the smartboard. |
Pictograms | Actions |
---|---|
Read |
"On this page you can see the task BACKWARD ROTATION… You are in deep water, make a backward somersault under water with the head first in and out of the water. You can do this with your body in a ball (Figure 1) or with your body tensed (Figure 2)." |
Questions |
"Is it clear to everyone what is meant by the task?" |
Read |
On this particular task you are going to answer two questions again.
At the dot, the question is: "Have you ever DONE this?" If you have ever done this task before, circle "YES". If you have never done this before, circle "NO"."
At the square, the question is: "Do you THINK you can do this?" If you think you can do this task, circle "YES" If you don’t think you can do this task yet, circle "NO"." |
Questions |
"Please check that you have completed everything on your sheet by indicating an answer with the dot as well as with the square on your sheet. Is everybody ready…?" |
Page |
"OK, you may now all turn your sheet and go to the next page in the bundle." |
Specific Actions |
Present the next page of the questionnaire on the smartboard. |
Pictograms | Actions |
---|---|
Read |
"OK. On this page you can see the task BREATHING… You are in deep water, holding on to the ladder (or pool edge) with both of your hands. First, you take a short but deep breath in (through your mouth or nose) and then you immediately submerge your head fully under the water, where you breath out for a long(er) time blowing large bubbles under water. You should repeat this combined action (i.e., breath in for a short time above water, and breath out for a long time under water) five times in a row, without letting go of the ladder (or pool edge)." |
Questions |
"Is it clear to everyone what is meant by the task?" |
Read |
"On this particular task you are going to answer two questions.
At the dot, the question is: "Have you ever DONE this task?" If you have ever done this, circle "YES" If you have never done this before, circle "NO"." At the square, the question is: "How GOOD do you think you can do this task?"
To answer, you circle the colored smiley or symbol that best describes you. Circle the red smiley if you think you are not good at all at this task. Circle the orange smiley if you think you are not so good at this task. Circle the yellow smiley if you think you are not good nor bad at this task. Circle the light green smiley if you think you are good at this task. Circle the dark green smiley if you think you are very good at this task. Or circle the cross if you don’t dare to do this task yet." |
Explanations |
"Circle each smiley / symbol on the smartboard as you provide the explanation that goes with it, when going over the possible answer options." |
Questions |
"Please check that you have completed everything on your sheet by indicating an answer next to the dot as well as with the square on your sheet. Is everybody ready…?" |
Page |
"OK, you can now all turn your sheet and go to the next page in the bundle." |
Specific Actions |
Present the next page of the questionnaire on the smartboard. |
Pictograms | Actions |
---|---|
Read |
"On this page you can see the task TREADING WATER… You are in deep water and try to stay more or less on the same place for 2 minutes. You can use your arms and your legs, but your nose must remain above the water surface at all time. While you are treading water in this way, you must shout something out loud (e.g., "NEMO") each 15 seconds. |
Questions |
"Is it clear to everyone what is meant by the task?" |
Read |
"On this particular task you are going to answer two questions.
At the dot, the question is: "Have you ever DONE this task?" If you have ever done this, circle "YES" If you have never done this before, circle "NO"."
At the square, the question is: "How GOOD do you think you can do this task?" Again, circle the colored smiley or symbol that best describes you." |
Questions |
"Please check that you have completed everything on your sheet by indicating an answer next to the dot as well as with the square on your sheet. Is everybody ready…?" |
Page |
"OK, you can now all turn your sheet and go to the next page in the bundle." |
Specific Actions |
Present the next page of the questionnaire on the smartboard. |
Pictograms | Actions |
---|---|
Read |
"On this page you can see the task PROPULSION ON THE BACK… During maximum 2 minutes, you have to swim in deep water on your back the way you like (using your legs and /or arms) for as far as you can, without holding the wall or touching the lane." |
Questions |
"Is it clear to everyone what is meant by the task?" |
Read |
"On this particular task you are going to answer two questions.
At the dot, the question is: "Have you ever DONE this task?" If you have ever done this, circle "YES" If you have never done this before, circle "NO"."
At the square, the question is: "How GOOD do you think you can do this task?" Again, circle the colored smiley or symbol that best describes you." |
Questions |
"Please check that you have completed everything on your sheet by indicating an answer next to the dot as well as with the square on your sheet. Is everybody ready…?" |
Page |
"OK, you can now all turn your sheet and go to the next page in the bundle." |
Specific Actions |
Present the next page of the questionnaire on the smartboard. |
Pictograms | Actions |
---|---|
Read |
"On this page you can see the task PROPULSION ON THE BELLY… During maximum 2 minutes, you have to swim in deep water on your belly the way you like (using your legs and /or arms, with your head above and/or below the surface) for as far as you can, without holding the wall or touching the lane." |
Questions |
"Is it clear to everyone what is meant by the task?" |
Read |
"On this particular task you are going to answer two questions.
At the dot, the question is: "Have you ever DONE this task?" If you have ever done this, circle "YES" If you have never done this before, circle "NO"."
At the square, the question is: "How GOOD do you think you can do this task?" Again, circle the colored smiley or symbol that best describes you." |
Questions |
"Please check that you have completed everything on your sheet by indicating an answer next to the dot as well as with the square on your sheet. Is everybody ready…?" |
Page |
"OK, you can now all turn your sheet and go to the next page in the bundle." |
Specific Actions |
Present the next page of the questionnaire on the smartboard. |
Pictograms | Actions |
---|---|
Read |
"On this page you can see the task SUBMERSION… You are in deep water, taking a deep breath to subsequently submerge your whole body to about 1 meter below the water surface. From there, you swim under the noodle (without touching it) and continue to swim under water as far/long as you can without coming back to the surface." |
Questions |
"Is it clear to everyone what is meant by the task?" |
Read |
"On this particular task you are going to answer two questions.
At the dot, the question is: "Have you ever DONE this task?" If you have ever done this, circle "YES" If you have never done this before, circle "NO"."
At the square, the question is: "How GOOD do you think you can do this task?" Again, circle the colored smiley or symbol that best describes you." |
Questions |
"Please check that you have completed everything on your sheet by indicating an answer next to the dot as well as with the square on your sheet. Is everybody ready…?" |
Page |
"OK, you can now all turn your sheet and go to the next page in the bundle." |
Specific Actions |
Present the next page of the questionnaire on the smartboard. |
Pictograms | Actions |
---|---|
Read |
"On this page you can see the task FLOATING… You are in deep water, lying on your back with the back of your head in the water, and looking at the ceiling. Without moving, you float on your back this way for as long as you can (during maximum 15 seconds)." |
Questions |
"Is it clear to everyone what is meant by the task?" |
Read |
"On this particular task you are going to answer two questions.
At the dot, the question is: "Have you ever DONE this task?" If you have ever done this, circle "YES" If you have never done this before, circle "NO"."
At the square, the question is: "How GOOD do you think you can do this task?" Again, circle the colored smiley or symbol that best describes you." |
Questions |
"Please check that you have completed everything on your sheet by indicating an answer next to the dot as well as with the square on your sheet. Is everybody ready…?" |
Page |
"OK, you can now all turn your sheet and go to the next page in the bundle." |
Specific Actions |
Present the next page of the questionnaire on the smartboard. |
Pictograms | Actions |
---|---|
Read |
"OK. We have now come to the 4th part of the questionnaire: ENJOYMENT. Circle the colored smiley or symbol that best describes you for each of the questions below. Please wait to circle a smiley or to answer each question until I have read the question out loud first."
Is (the content of) this question clear to everyone? OK, you can now circle the colored smiley or symbol under this question that best describes you. Circle the red smiley if you dislike these lessons very much. Circle the orange smiley if you dislike these lessons. Circle the yellow smiley if you neither like or dislike these lessons. Circle the light green smiley if you like these lessons. Circle the dark green smiley if you like these lessons very much. Or circle the cross if you don’t get organized swimming lessons at school." |
Explanations |
Circle each smiley / symbol on the smartboard as you provide the explanation that goes with it, when going over the possible answer options. |
Read |
"The question at the star is*: Why did you indicate the answer above? Please try to formulate some reasons that apply to you(r answer). Write down only 1 reason on each line (with a maximum of 3 reasons). Is (the content of) this question / purpose of this assignment clear to everyone? OK, you can now write down the reasons for your chosen answer. * Attention: Only children who are already aged 8 years or older should answer this particular question. The children who are not yet 8 years old may thus skip this open question and wait a little while in order to move on together." |
Read |
"The question at the square is: How much do you PREFER to do the exercises during the organized swimming lessons at school together with other children? For example, together with your classmates. Is (the content of) this question clear to everyone? OK, you can now circle the colored smiley or symbol under this question that best describes you. Circle the red smiley if you do not prefer to do so at all (with other children). Circle the orange smiley if you do not prefer to do so (with other children). Circle the yellow smiley if you sometimes prefer to do so (with other children). Circle the light green smiley if you prefer to do so (with other children). Circle the dark green smiley if you strongly prefer to do so (with other children). Or circle the cross if you don’t get organized swimming lessons at school." |
Explanations |
Circle each smiley / symbol on the smartboard as you provide the explanation that goes with it, when going over the possible answer options. |
Specific Actions |
"Please check that you have completed everything on your sheet by indicating an answer with the dot, with the star as well as with the square on your sheet. Is everybody ready…?" |
Page |
"OK, you can now all turn your sheet and go to the next page in the bundle." |
Specific Actions |
Present the next page of the questionnaire on the smartboard. |
Pictograms | Actions |
---|---|
Read |
"We are still at the 4th part of the questionnaire: ENJOYMENT. Circle the colored smiley or symbol that best describes you for each of the questions below. Please wait to circle a smiley or to answer each question until I have read the question out loud first." "The question at the dot is: "How much do you LIKE organized swimming lessons outside school? Attention: It is thus no longer about organized swimming lessons AT school, but about organized swimming lessons OUSTIDE school. For example, in the swimming club. Is (the content of) this question clear to everyone? OK, you can now circle the colored smiley or symbol under this question that best describes you." |
Read |
"The question at the square is: How much do you PREFER to do the exercises during the swimming lessons outside school together with other children? For example, together with your friends. Is (the content of) this question clear to everyone? OK, you can now circle the colored smiley or symbol under this question that best describes you." |
Questions |
"Please check that you have completed everything on your sheet by indicating an answer with the dot as well as with the square on your sheet. Is everybody ready…?" |
Page |
"OK, you can now all turn your sheet and go to the next page in the bundle." |
Specific Actions |
Present the next page of the questionnaire on the smartboard. |
Pictograms | Actions |
---|---|
Read |
"We are still at the 4th part of the questionnaire: ENJOYMENT. Circle the colored smiley or symbol that best describes you for each of the questions below. Please wait to circle a smiley or to answer each question until I have read the question out loud first." “The question at the dot is: "How much do you LIKE playing freely in a (public) swimming pool? Attention: It is thus no longer about organized swimming lessons, but about playing freely in the water of a (public) swimming pool. For example, in a swimming facility in your neighborhood or backyard. Is (the content of) this question clear to everyone? OK, you can now circle the colored smiley or symbol under this question that best describes you." |
Read |
"The question at the square is: How much do you PREFER to play freely in a (public) swimming pool with friends? For example, together with some peers. Is (the content of) this question clear to everyone? OK, you can now circle the colored smiley or symbol under this question that best describes you." |
Read |
"The question at the triangle is: How much do you PREFER to play freely in a (public) swimming pool with family? For example, together with your parents, siblings, nephews or nieces. Is (the content of) this question clear to everyone? OK, you can now circle the colored smiley or symbol under this question that best describes you." |
Questions |
"Please check that you have completed everything on your sheet by indicating an answer with the dot, with the square as well as with the triangle on your sheet. Is everybody ready…?" |
Page |
"OK, you can now all turn your sheet and go to the next page in the bundle." |
Specific Actions |
Present the next page of the questionnaire on the smartboard. |
Pictograms | Actions |
---|---|
Read |
"We have come to the 5th part of the questionnaire: ENGAGEMENT. Have a closer look at the drawing in the middle on top of this page. The question at the dot is: “Have you ever DONE any "swimming" races?" A swim race means that you swim as fast as you can for a certain distance and your time is recorded and/or you have at least one other opponent. If you have ever done this sport before, circle "YES". If you have never done this sport before, circle "NO"." |
Explanations |
Circle "YES" / "NO" on the smartboard. |
Read |
"If you circled "YES", then follow the left arrow to answer the next question. If you have circled "NO", then wait just a little longer... The question at the left (so only for the children who just answered "YES") is: "Would you LIKE TO DO MORE of this sport?"
Is (the content of) this question clear to everyone? OK, you can now circle the colored smiley under this question that best describes you. Circle the red smiley if you don't want to do this sport again at all. Circle the orange smiley if you don't want to do this sport anymore. Circle the yellow smiley if you might want to do this sport again. Circle the light green smiley if you want to do this sport again. Circle the dark green smiley if you definitely want to do this sport again." |
Explanations |
Circle the different smileys on the smartboard as you provide the explanation that goes with each of them, when going over the possible answer options. |
Read |
"If you circled "NO", then follow the right arrow to answer the next question. If you circled "YES", just wait for a moment... The question at the right (so only for the children who just answered "NO") is: "Would you EVER WANT TO DO this sport?"
Is (the content of) this question clear to everyone? OK, you can now circle the colored smiley under this question that best describes you. Circle the red smiley if you don't want to do this sport again at all. Circle the orange smiley if you don't want to do this sport anymore. Circle the yellow smiley if you might want to do this sport again. Circle the light green smiley if you want to do this sport again. Circle the dark green smiley if you definitely want to do this sport again." |
Explanations |
Circle the different smileys on the smartboard as you provide the explanation that goes with each of them, when going over the possible answer options. |
Read |
"Have a closer look at the drawing in the middle at the bottom of this page.
The question at the square is: “Have you ever DONE any "waterpolo" matches?” A water polo match is when two teams of at least 2 people try to throw the ball into the opponent's goal in water. If you have ever done this sport before, circle "YES". If you have never done this sport before, circle "NO"." If you circled "YES", then follow the left arrow to answer the next question. If you have circled "NO", then wait just a little longer....
The question at the left (so only for the children who just answered "YES") is: "Would you LIKE TO DO MORE of this sport?” Is (the content of) this question clear to everyone? OK, you can now circle the colored smiley under this question that best describes you. If you circled "NO", then follow the right arrow to answer the next question. If you circled "YES", just wait for a moment...
The question at the right (so only for the children who just answered "NO") is: "Would you EVER WANT TO DO this sport?" Is (the content of) this question clear to everyone? OK, you can now circle the colored smiley under this question that best describes you. |
Questions |
"Please check that you have completed everything on your sheet by indicating an answer with the dot and square as well as with the subsequent left or right pathway for each of the sports being depicted. Is everybody ready…?" |
Page |
OK, you can now all turn your sheet and go to the next page in the bundle. |
Specific Actions |
Present the next page of the questionnaire on the smartboard. |
Pictograms | Actions |
---|---|
Read |
"We have come to the 5th part of the questionnaire: ENGAGEMENT. Have a closer look at the drawing in the middle on top of this page. The question at the dot is: “Have you ever DONE any "Artistic swimming" ballet?" Artistic swimming ballet means that you perform a dance, alone or in a group, to music. If you have ever done this sport before, circle "YES". If you have never done this sport before, circle "NO"." |
Explanations |
Circle "YES" / "NO" on the smartboard. |
Read |
"If you circled "YES", then move on the left (following the left pathway). If you have circled "NO", then wait just a little longer... The question at the left (so only for the children who just answered "YES") is: "Would you LIKE TO DO MORE of this sport?"
Is (the content of) this question clear to everyone? OK, you can now circle the colored smiley under this question that best describes you. Circle the red smiley if you don't want to do this sport again at all. Circle the orange smiley if you don't want to do this sport anymore. Circle the yellow smiley if you might want to do this sport again. Circle the light green smiley if you want to do this sport again. Circle the dark green smiley if you definitely want to do this sport again." |
Explanations |
Circle the different smileys on the smartboard as you provide the explanation that goes with each of them, when going over the possible answer options. |
Read |
"If you circled "NO", then move on the right (following the right pathway). If you circled "YES", just wait for a moment... The question at the right (so only for the children who just answered "NO") is: "Would you EVER WANT TO DO this sport?"
Is (the content of) this question clear to everyone? OK, you can now circle the colored smiley under this question that best describes you. Circle the red smiley if you don't want to do this sport again at all. Circle the orange smiley if you don't want to do this sport anymore. Circle the yellow smiley if you might want to do this sport again. Circle the light green smiley if you want to do this sport again. Circle the dark green smiley if you definitely want to do this sport again." |
Explanations |
Circle the different smileys on the smartboard as you provide the explanation that goes with each of them, when going over the possible answer options. |
Read |
"Have a closer look at the drawing in the middle at the bottom of this page.
The question at the square is: “Have you ever DONE any acrobatic "diving"?" Acrobatic diving means jumping into deep water from a springboard or platform while performing at least one acrobatic movement such as a somersault, flip or headfirst dive. If you have ever done this sport before, circle "YES". If you have never done this sport before, circle "NO"." If you circled "YES", move on to the left (following the left pathway). If you have circled "NO", then wait just a little longer....
If you circled "YES", then move on to the left (following the left pathway). If you have circled "NO", then wait just a little longer... The question on the left (so only for the children who just answered "YES") is: "Would you LIKE TO DO MORE of this sport?” Is (the content of) this question clear to everyone? OK, you can now circle the colored smiley under this question that best describes you.
If you circled "NO", then move on to the right (following the right pathway). If you circled "YES", just wait for a moment... The question on the right (so only for the children who just answered "NO") is: "Would you EVER WANT TO DO this sport?" Is (the content of) this question clear to everyone? OK, you can now circle the colored smiley under this question that best describes you. |
Questions |
"Please check that you have completed everything on your sheet by indicating an answer with the dot and square as well as with the subsequent left or right pathway for each of the sports being depicted. Is everybody ready…?" |
Page |
OK, you can now all turn your sheet and go to the next page in the bundle. |
Specific Actions |
Present the next page of the questionnaire on the smartboard. |
Pictograms | Actions |
---|---|
Read |
"We are still at the 5th part of the questionnaire: ENGAGEMENT. Have a closer look at the drawing in the middle on top of this page. The question at the dot is: “Have you ever DONE this type of activities?" If you have ever done this type of activities, circle "YES". If you have never done this type of activities before, circle "NO"." |
Explanations |
Circle "YES" / "NO" on the smartboard. |
Read |
"If you circled "YES", then move on the left (following the left pathway). If you have circled "NO", then wait just a little longer... The question at the left (so only for the children who just answered "YES") is: "Would you LIKE TO DO MORE of this type of activities?"
Is (the content of) this question clear to everyone? OK, you can now circle the colored smiley under this question that best describes you. Circle the red smiley if you don't want to do this activities again at all. Circle the orange smiley if you don't want to do this activities anymore. Circle the yellow smiley if you might want to do this activities again. Circle the light green smiley if you want to do this activities again. Circle the dark green smiley if you definitely want to do this activities again." |
Explanations |
Circle the different smileys on the smartboard as you provide the explanation that goes with each of them, when going over the possible answer options. |
Read |
"If you circled "NO", then move on the right (following the right pathway). If you circled "YES", just wait for a moment... The question at the right (so only for the children who just answered "NO") is: "Would you EVER WANT TO DO this type of activities?"
Is (the content of) this question clear to everyone? OK, you can now circle the colored smiley under this question that best describes you. Circle the red smiley if you don't want to do this activities again at all. Circle the orange smiley if you don't want to do this activities anymore. Circle the yellow smiley if you might want to do this activities again. Circle the light green smiley if you want to do this activities again. Circle the dark green smiley if you definitely want to do this activities again." |
Explanations |
Circle the different smileys on the smartboard as you provide the explanation that goes with each of them, when going over the possible answer options. |
Questions |
"Please check that you have completed everything on the top of your sheet by indicating an answer with the dot as well as with the subsequent left or right pathway for the type of activities being depicted. Is everybody ready...?" |
Read |
Have a closer look at the drawings in the bottom of this page. The question at the square is: “Have you ever DONE this type of activities?” If you have ever done this type of activities, circle "YES". If you have never done this type of activities before, circle "NO"." |
Explanations |
Circle "YES" / "NO" on the smartboard. |
Read |
"If you circled "YES", then move on the left (following the left pathway). If you circled "NO", then wait just a little longer... The question at the right (so only for the children who just answered "YES") is: "Would you LIKE TO DO MORE of this type of activities?"
Is (the content of) this question clear to everyone? OK, you can now circle the colored smiley under this question that best describes you. Circle the red smiley if you don't want to do this activities again at all. Circle the orange smiley if you don't want to do this activities anymore. Circle the yellow smiley if you might want to do this activities again. Circle the light green smiley if you want to do this activities again. Circle the dark green smiley if you definitely want to do this activities again." |
Explanations |
Circle the different smileys on the smartboard as you provide the explanation that goes with each of them, when going over the possible answer options. |
Questions |
"Please check that you have completed everything on the bottom of your sheet by indicating an answer with the square as well as with the subsequent left or right pathway for the type of activities being depicted. Is everybody ready...?" |
Page |
OK, you can now all turn your sheet and go to the next page in the bundle. |
Specific Actions |
Present the next page of the questionnaire on the smartboard. |
Pictograms | Actions |
---|---|
Read |
"We are still at the 5th part of the questionnaire: ENGAGEMENT. Have a closer look at the drawing in the top of this page. The question at the dot is: “Have you ever DONE this type of activities?" If you have ever done this type of activities, circle "YES". If you have never done this type of activities before, circle "NO"." |
Explanations |
Circle "YES" / "NO" on the smartboard. |
Read |
"If you circled "YES", then move on the left (following the left pathway). If you have circled "NO", then wait just a little longer... The question at the left (so only for the children who just answered "YES") is: "Would you LIKE TO DO MORE of this type of activities?"
Is (the content of) this question clear to everyone? OK, you can now circle the colored smiley under this question that best describes you. Circle the red smiley if you don't want to do this activities again at all. Circle the orange smiley if you don't want to do this activities anymore. Circle the yellow smiley if you might want to do this activities again. Circle the light green smiley if you want to do this activities again. Circle the dark green smiley if you definitely want to do this activities again." |
Explanations |
Circle the different smileys on the smartboard as you provide the explanation that goes with each of them, when going over the possible answer options. |
Read |
"If you circled "NO", then move on the right (following the right pathway). If you circled "YES", just wait for a moment... The question at the right (so only for the children who just answered "NO") is: "Would you EVER WANT TO DO this type of activities?"
Is (the content of) this question clear to everyone? OK, you can now circle the colored smiley under this question that best describes you. Circle the red smiley if you don't want to do this activities again at all. Circle the orange smiley if you don't want to do this activities anymore. Circle the yellow smiley if you might want to do this activities again. Circle the light green smiley if you want to do this activities again. Circle the dark green smiley if you definitely want to do this activities again." |
Explanations |
Circle the different smileys on the smartboard as you provide the explanation that goes with each of them, when going over the possible answer options. |
Read |
Have a closer look at the drawings in the bottom of this page. The question at the square is: “Have you ever DONE this type of activities? If you have ever done this type of activities, circle "YES". If you have never done this type of activities before, circle "NO"." |
Explanations |
Circle "YES" / "NO" on the smartboard. |
Read |
"If you circled "YES", then move on to the left (following the left pathway). If you have circled "NO", then wait just a little longer...
The question on the left (so only for the children who just answered "YES") is: "Would you LIKE TO DO MORE of this type of activities?" Is (the content of) this question clear to everyone? OK, you can now circle the colored smiley under this question that best describes you. Circle the red smiley if you don't want to do this type of activities again at all. Circle the orange smiley if you don't want to do this type of activities anymore. Circle the yellow smiley if you might want to do this type of activities again. Circle the light green smiley if you want to do this type of activities again. Circle the dark green smiley if you definitely want to do this type of activities again." |
Explanations |
Circle the different smileys on the smartboard as you provide the explanation that goes with each of them, when going over the possible answer options. |
Explanations |
If you circled "NO", then move on to the right (following the left pathway). If you circled "YES", just wait for a moment...
The question on the right (so only for the children who just answered "NO") is: "Would you EVER WANT TO DO this type of activities?" Is (the content of) this question clear to everyone? OK, you can now circle the colored smiley under this question that best describes you. Circle the red smiley if you don't ever want to do this type of activities at all. Circle the orange smiley if you don't ever want to do this type of activities. Circle the yellow smiley if you might ever want to do this type of activities. Circle the light green smiley if you ever want to do this type of activities. Circle the dark green smiley if you definitely ever want to do this type of activities." |
Explanations |
Circle the different smileys on the smartboard as you provide the explanation that goes with each of them, when going over the possible answer options. |
Questions |
"Please check that you have completed everything on your sheet by indicating an answer with the dot and square as well as with the subsequent left or right pathway for the type of activities being depicted. Is everybody ready...?" |
Page |
"OK, you can now all turn your sheet and go to the next page in the bundle." |
Specific Actions |
Present the next page of the questionnaire on the smartboard.
|
Pictograms | Actions |
---|---|
Read |
"OK. We have now come to the 6th part of the questionnaire: RISK PERCEPTION. In a moment you will be shown a poster on which some specific situations or activities "IN THE SWIMMING POOL" are numbered from 1 to 10. You are asked to circle the colored smiley that best describes you in assessing each of these numbered situations or activities. Please wait to circle a smiley on each row until I have clearly shown you which situation or activity on the "SWIMMING POOL" poster to assess. Together we will go down number by number to indicate a smiley each time." |
Specific Actions |
Hand out the "SWIMMING POOL" poster. Each child receives 1 A4 color copy. |
Read |
"Look at number 1 on the poster. How dangerous (or risky) is the specific situation or activity according to you? Circle the colored smiley that best describes you.
Circle the red smiley if you think this is extremely dangerous (or risky). Circle the orange smiley if you think this is highly dangerous (or risky). Circle the yellow smiley if you think this is slightly dangerous (or risky). Circle the light green smiley if you think this is not dangerous (or risky). Circle the dark green smiley if you think this is not dangerous (or risky) at all." |
Explanations |
Circle the different smileys on the smartboard as you provide the explanation that goes with each of them, when going over the possible answer options. |
Read |
"Look at number 2 on the poster. How dangerous (or risky) is the specific situation or activity according to you? Circle the colored smiley that best describes you." "Look at number 3 on the poster. How dangerous (or risky) is the specific situation or activity according to you? Circle the colored smiley that best describes you." "Look at number 4 on the poster. How dangerous (or risky) is the specific situation or activity according to you? Circle the colored smiley that best describes you." "Look at number 5 on the poster. How dangerous (or risky) is the specific situation or activity according to you? Circle the colored smiley that best describes you." "Look at number 6 on the poster. How dangerous (or risky) is the specific situation or activity according to you? Circle the colored smiley that best describes you." "Look at number 7 on the poster. How dangerous (or risky) is the specific situation or activity according to you? Circle the colored smiley that best describes you." "Look at number 8 on the poster. How dangerous (or risky) is the specific situation or activity according to you? Circle the colored smiley that best describes you." "Look at number 9 on the poster. How dangerous (or risky) is the specific situation or activity according to you? Circle the colored smiley that best describes you." "Look at number 10 on the poster. How dangerous (or risky) is the specific situation or activity according to you? Circle the colored smiley that best describes you." |
Questions |
"Please check that you have completed every row on your sheet by circling a colored smiley next to each number. Is everybody ready...?" |
Page |
"OK, you can now all turn your sheet and go to the next page in the bundle." |
Specific Actions |
Present the next page of the questionnaire on the smartboard. |
Pictograms | Actions |
---|---|
Read |
"We are still in the 6th part of the questionnaire: RISK PERCEPTION. In a moment you will be shown a poster on which some specific situations or activities in an "OPEN WATER" context are numbered from 1 to 10. You are asked to circle the colored smiley that best describes you in assessing each of these numbered situations or activities. Please wait to circle a smiley on each row until I have clearly shown you which situation or activity on the "OPEN WATER" poster to assess. Together we will go down number by number to indicate a smiley each time." |
Specific Actions |
Hand out the "OPEN WATER" poster. Each child receives 1 A4 color copy. |
Read |
"Look at number 2 on the poster. How dangerous (or risky) is the specific situation or activity according to you? Circle the colored smiley that best describes you." "Look at number 3 on the poster. How dangerous (or risky) is the specific situation or activity according to you? Circle the colored smiley that best describes you." "Look at number 4 on the poster. How dangerous (or risky) is the specific situation or activity according to you? Circle the colored smiley that best describes you." "Look at number 5 on the poster. How dangerous (or risky) is the specific situation or activity according to you? Circle the colored smiley that best describes you." "Look at number 6 on the poster. How dangerous (or risky) is the specific situation or activity according to you? Circle the colored smiley that best describes you." "Look at number 7 on the poster. How dangerous (or risky) is the specific situation or activity according to you? Circle the colored smiley that best describes you." "Look at number 8 on the poster. How dangerous (or risky) is the specific situation or activity according to you? Circle the colored smiley that best describes you." "Look at number 9 on the poster. How dangerous (or risky) is the specific situation or activity according to you? Circle the colored smiley that best describes you." "Look at number 10 on the poster. How dangerous (or risky) is the specific situation or activity according to you? Circle the colored smiley that best describes you." |
Questions |
"Please check that you have completed every row on your sheet by circling a colored smiley next to each number. Is everybody ready...?" |
Read |
"OK, that’s it!" |
None |
"This is the end of the ALFAC child questionnaire! Thank you all for your very much appreciated cooperation in our European project by completing each page of this bundle. You may now turn over its last page, and make sure all sheets stay together. The teacher and I will collect all of your questionnaires. Thanks again!" |
The purpose of the ALFAC isolated aquatic skills assessment is to assess children’s aquatic competence with a view to drowning prevention and lifelong engagement in aquatic recreation. The results of this assessment will determine whether the child can also participate in the "parcours" (swimming pool session 2).
The ALFAC isolated aquatic skills assessment is designed for all children aged 6-12 years.
The assessment consists of 9 isolated aquatic skills:
The equipment to be used for the ALFAC assessment in the swimming pool (isolated skills + parcours) is listed in the table below.
5 laminated pictures of “Entry in the water”* |
5 laminated pictures of “Exit the water”* |
5 laminated pictures of “Rotations”* |
1 x laminated picture per skill (n = 8)* |
3 x scoring sheets |
2 x big floating mat with holes (1.80x1m) |
1 x small floating mat with holes (1x1m) |
6 x suction cups |
1 x rope (6m) |
20 x fixation belts |
1 x 25m measuring tape* |
6 x noodle (used floating device for children)* |
4 x (rectangular) noodles |
6 x timers* |
6 x whistles (or other auditory signal)* |
1 x roll of strong tape (contrast color with floor) + scissors* |
10 x hair elastics* |
*This equipment is not provided by ALFAC.
It is important that the swimming pool length is at least 25m in order to perform the ALFAC assessment. Both leveled pools and non-leveled pools are acceptable for the ALFAC assessment. Most of the isolated skills will be administered in "deep water". Only the breathing task can be performed in shallow water. Deep water means that children are unable to touch the ground with their feet when their head is fully submerged below the water surface.
It is important that children wear tight-fitting swimming suits and, if they have long(er) hair, tie it back in a bun or tail to keep it out of their face. Wearing goggles and a swimming cap* is not allowed.
*A single exception to not wearing a swimming cap may be tolerated if necessary, based on specific local swimming pool rules.
Ideally, a team of at least 6 ALFAC assessors (2 per station), 1 physical education teacher (or other school staff member) and 1 supervisor are required to conduct the ALFAC assessment. The 2 ALFAC assessors at each station are specifically trained to administer the ALFAC isolated aquatic skills assessment In consultation with the physical education teacher, it can be discussed what children who are not being assessed at that time will do. Depending on the equipment available in the swimming pool, the children can have their regular swimming class or specific exercises related to swimming and drowning prevention. The supervisor is needed to help the children while changing clothes when they need to go to the toilet and to gather them for their assessment. In addition to these 8 staff members, 1 qualified pool lifeguard must also be present. He or she is responsible for the overall surveillance of the pool and is not involved in the ALFAC assessment.
The ALFAC isolated aquatic skills assessment consists of 3 stations, i.e. A, B and C. In each station, 2 to 4 isolated skills are administered (sequentially).
Station A | Station B | Station C |
---|---|---|
A1: Entry in the water A2: Exit the water |
B1: Propulsion on the belly B2: Submersion B3: Floating* B4: Propulsion on the back |
C1: Breathing C2: Treading water* C3: Rotation(s)* |
* The tasks “Floating”, “Treading water” and “Rotation(s)” can be considered as flexible tasks as they can be administered in station A, B or C depending on the advancement of the other group(s). However, the order in which the tasks are presented now allows the children to rest sufficiently after the more exhausting tasks (i.e. “Propulsion on the belly”, “Propulsion on the back”, “Treading water”).
Assuming an “ideal scenario” of 6 ALFAC assessors, there will be 3 groups consisting of 6 children (1 group with 2 assessors per station) who will start with the assessment. The other children will be guided by the physical education teacher.
When the children are at their starting station, ensure that they have a clear overview of the different stations and the test setup of the ALFAC isolated aquatic skills assessment. The children should then be given a verbal explanation of the isolated aquatic skills assessment of ALFAC. See below* for a suggested script that can be used for the general introduction and explanation.
*"Today you will complete the ALFAC isolated aquatic skills assessment. You will perform 9 different aquatic skills which will be instructed by 2 assessors. There are no right and no wrong movements. The ALFAC isolated aquatic skills assessment is being completed by children aged 6-12 years old in 7 different European countries. It will be fun, so enjoy and try your best!"
Immediately before starting the ALFAC assessment, allow the children to warm-up in the swimming pool for 2 minutes (free play) to ensure that they have been in the water already previously. This time can be used to identify children with low swimming ability.
Use of noodles
Children who don’t dare / don’t want / cannot do the ALFAC skills as they are described in this manual, they get a score 0. However, encourage them to do the tasks using a noodle or other floating device.
ALFAC must be fun
The ALFAC assessment needs to be fun. Children who struggle, should be encouraged and congratulated for their efforts.
ALFAC assessors
Each station needs 2 ALFAC assessors. The following 2 options are possible:
Option 1:
Assessor 1 stays at his own station and can be considered as a “fixed assessor”. He or she is responsible for giving the instructions to the children (and not for recording the scores on the scoring sheet). Assessor 2 follows the children as they perform the skills sequentially and can be seen as a “moving assessor”. He or she is responsible for recording the scores on the scoring sheet (and not for giving the instructions to the children).
See below for a detailed description of the roles of the assessors.
Option 2:
Assessors 1 and 2 are both “moving assessors” as they follow the children as they perform the skills in sequence.
Assessor 1 is responsible for giving the instructions; assessor 2 is responsible for recording the scores on the scoring sheet.
See below for a detailed description of the roles of the assessors.
Skill pancartes
Use the laminated skill pancartes including the drawing of the skill (as presented in the child questionnaire) on the front side and short instructions (memory aids) on the back side when instructing the children (see appendix). Show these clearly to the children.
Communication between assessors is key
Clear communication between assessor 1 and 2 at each station is important for a correct and reliable administration and measurement of the skills.
Flexible tasks
As mentioned above, the tasks “Floating”, “Treading water” and “Rotation(s)” can be seen as flexible tasks as they can be administered in station A, B or C depending on the progress of the other group(s).
1 Scoring sheet |
5 Laminated pictures of “Entry in the water” |
1 Ladder |
1 Big floating mat (+ fixed small floating mat on top) |
2 Suction cups |
1 Rope (to fixate the floating mat to the pool edge) |
N° of pictured options | Description of test instructions: (S) Start (T) Task (E) End |
---|---|
1 |
(S) Enter the water facing the ladder and climb down the ladder. (T) Climb down the ladder until your shoulders are below the water level. (E) Let go of the ladder with both hands and feet and stay freely in the water for at least 3s. I will count to 3 aloud. |
2 |
(S) Sit on the edge of the fixed floating mat, with your knees bent and feet hanging in the water. (T) Gently leave the fixed floating mat and slide your body into the water. (E) Let go of the fixed floating mat with both hands and feet and stay freely in the water for at least 3s. I will count to 3 aloud. |
3 |
(S) Stand upright at the edge of the fixed floating mat facing the water. (T) Take a large step forward with one foot first to enter the water. (E) Float freely in the water for at least 3s. I will count to 3 out loud. |
4 |
(S) Stand with bent knees near the edge of the fixed floating mat facing the water and place your hands on your knees. Make yourself small, bringing your chin to your chest and your chest to your thighs. (T) Tilt / roll forward into the water while maintaining this position. Do not touch your face or any part of your body (except for your knees that you grab) as your enter the water. (E) Float freely in the water for at least 3s. I will count to 3 aloud. |
5 |
(S) Stand with bent knees near the edge of the fixed floating mat with your back turned to the water and grab your knees from behind. Make yourself small, bringing your chin to your chest and your chest to your thighs. (T) Tilt / roll backwards into the water while maintaining this position. Do not touch your face or any part of your body (except for your knees that you are grabbing) while entering the water. (E) Float freely in the water for at least 3s. I will count to 3 aloud. |
Criteria |
Raw score |
---|---|
Refusal to perform any task option / using a noodle while performing the chosen task / “failure” of the chosen option (see below) |
|
Correct performance option 1 Failure if the child...
|
1 |
Correct performance option 2 Failure if the child...
|
2 |
Correct performance option 3 Failure if the child...
|
3 |
Correct performance option 4 Failure if the child...
|
4 |
Correct performance option 5 Failure if the child...
|
5 |
1 Scoring sheet |
5 Laminated pictures of “Exit the water” |
1 Ladder |
2 mats (1 big floating mat ; 1 small floating mat) |
2 Belts (fixing both mats on top of each other) |
2 Suction cups |
1 Rope (to fixate or guide the floating mats) |
N° of pictured options (N=5) | Description of test instructions: (S) Start (T) Task (E) End |
---|---|
1 |
(S) You are in the deep water facing the ladder. (T) Climb up the ladder to get out of the water in no more than 5 seconds. (E) Let go of the ladder with both hands once you are back on your feet at the pool edge. |
2 |
(S) You are in the deep water facing one fixed floating mat. (T) Climb onto this one fixed floating mat to get out of the water (E) Sit down on your knees on the mat with no part of your body still underwater and raise your arms slightly for 3 seconds. I will count to 3 out loud. |
3 |
(S) You are in the deep water facing two stacked fixed floating mats. (T) Climb up these two stacked fixed floating mats to get out of the water seconds. (E) Sit down on your knees on the mat without any part of the body still being submerged and slightly raise your arms for 3 seconds. I will count to 3 out loud. |
4 |
(S) You are in the deep water facing one free floating mat. (T) Climb onto this one free floating mat to get out of the water (E) Sit down on your knees on the mat without any part of the body still being submerged and raise your arms slightly for 3 seconds. I will count to 3 out loud. |
5 |
(S) You are in the deep water facing two stacked free floating mats. (T) Climb up these two stacked free floating mats to get out of the water seconds. (E) Sit down on your knees on the mat without no part of your body still underwater and raise your arms slightly for 3 seconds. I will count to 3 aloud. |
Criteria |
Raw score |
---|---|
Refusal to perform any task option / “failure” of the chosen option (see below) |
|
Correct performance option 1 Failure if the child...
|
1 |
Correct performance option 2 Failure if the child...
|
2 |
Correct performance option 3 Failure if the child...
|
3 |
Correct performance option 4 Failure if the child...
|
4 |
Correct performance option 5 Failure if the child...
|
5 |
Step | |
---|---|
1 |
Assessor 1 and 2 stand at the edge of the pool near the ladder together with 6 children. |
2 |
Assessor 1 shows the 5th picture of “Entry in the water” to the children and says: “You can see a way to enter the water: “Rolling backward into the water”. Who thinks he or she can do this and wants to do it right now ?” Assessor 1 shows the 4 other pictures of “Entry in the water” to the children who don’t want to perform the 5th option and says: Nr. 1: Climbing down the ladder Choose the picture corresponding to the highest level you think you can perform.” |
3 |
Assessor 2 notes the option each child will perform. |
4 |
Assessor 1 shows the 5th picture of “Exit the water” to the children and says: Assessor 1 shows the 4 other pictures of “Exit the water” to the children who don’t want to perform the 5th option and says: Nr. 1: Climbing up the ladder Choose the picture corresponding to the highest level you think you can perform in no more than 5 seconds.” |
5 |
Assessor 2 notes the option each child will perform for the entry and the exit tasks. |
6 |
Assessor 2 calls out the number of the first child and the option. Assessor 1 instructs the first child using the test instructions “Entry in the water” and “Exit the water”. |
7 |
The first child tries to enter the water in the way he or she has chosen. Then he or she takes a break by holding on to the mat or the edge. Then he or she tries to get out of the water in the way he or she has chosen. While exiting the water the assessor counts '5', '4', '3', '2', '1' and '0'. If the child succeeds, he or she gets out of the water. If the child fails, he or she recovers for 15 seconds and tries the lower level of the exit task up to level 1 if necessary. Note: Assessor 1 fixates the mats holding tight the rope if the child chooses option 2 or 3 for the exit. |
8 |
Assessor 2 notes the score for “Entry in the water” and for “Exit the water”. |
9 |
Repeat steps 6, 7 and 8 for the other children. |
10 |
If the child has successfully completed the selected option for “Entry in the water” and / or “Exit the water”, then ask the child to try the adjacent higher level of “Entry in the water” and / or “Exit the water”. If the child has failed to perform the chosen option for “Entry in the water”, then ask the child to try the adjacent lower level of “Entry in the water” and / or “Exit the water”. The child can only try one adjacent level. |
1 Scoring sheet |
2 (Rectangular) noodles or two big cones |
1 15m measuring tape |
1 Strong tape (color in contrast with floor), placed on the floor each 1 meter |
2 Timers |
1 Whistle |
Description of test instructions: (S) Start (T) Task (E) End |
---|
(S) Go into the water (by 1, 2, 3 or 4 children according to the level*) after this explanation. Once you are in the water, you can hold on to the rectangular noodle with one arm, with your face in the direction of the swim lane, I will give you a start signal. |
(T) After the start signal, you let go and start swimming as far as possible during 2min while staying on your belly (with your head above and / or below the water surface) using your legs and / or arms, up to the other rectangular noodle. Once you are at the level of that second noodle, touch it with your head, immediately turn around, do not stop, and continue swimming while staying on your belly, back to the starting noodle. At that point, touch it with your head, turn around again, and so on. Try not to touch the wall, the swimming lane rope or bottom of the pool during the performance of this test. If you come close to the feet of the child in front, you can pass him / her without disturbing him / her. |
(E) Continue this task until the assessor gives a sign (or when you can no longer perform / continue the task (e.g., by holding onto the edge of the swimming pool). When you finish the task, you should stay in place holding on to the lane rope or pool edge to not interfere with the children still swimming. |
* Children with low levels are encouraged to swim close to the edge. Children who are confident to swim to the are invited to swim in lane 2 if necessary. For children who cannot swim freely, they are invited to swim with a noodle and have a raw score of zero.
Criteria |
Raw score |
---|---|
Distance covered in m The test stops if the child...
|
Distance covered in + Time swum without stopping meters* in seconds |
Step | |
---|---|
1 |
Assessors 1 and 2 stand at the edge of the pool together with 6 children. |
2 |
Assessor 1 instructs the children using test instructions PROPULSION ON THE BELLY and laminated pancarte. |
3 |
The children (by 1, 2, 3 or 4 according to their levels) go into the deep water at the level of the rectangular noodle. The children hold on to the lane rope or pool edge (or noodle) while waiting for the start sign. |
4 |
The children prepare to start the task each in one half of the lane. |
5 |
Assessor 1 says: “Ready? 3-2-1-Go!” |
6 |
Assessor 2 pushes the button of the timer and gives a sign when 2min are over. Use the functionality “split time” when one child stops earlier than the other. |
7 |
Assessor 2 notes the scores on the scoring sheet for “Propulsion on the belly”. |
8 |
A child that has finished the task, stays in place holding on to the lane rope or pool edge to not interfere with the child still swimming. |
Organization
Different organizational options of administering “Propulsion of the belly” to guarantee flexibility are proposed below.
Option 1:
Option 2:
Option 3:
Option 4:
Measurement
“Touch the noodle with the head”
To ensure children won’t turn too short, ask them to touch a noodle with their head before turning.
“Don’t grab pool edge or lane rope!”
Emphasize that children cannot grab the pool edge, lane rope or noodle during the performance of the task. Occasional touching of the pool edge, lane rope or noodle is tolerated.
Split time
Assessor 2 will need to use the “split time” functionality of the timer when one child stops earlier than the other.
Counting the lengths
It is advisable to count (tally) the number of lengths swum (per 15m) to calculate the distance afterwards and note this on the scoring sheet.
The purpose of the ALFAC 'Parcours' assessment is to assess children (aged 6-12 years) in a test of combined aquatic skills related to processing external information (visual and auditory) and decision-making in action.
The ALFAC "Parcours" is designed for all children between the ages of 6 and 12 (with the exception of 12-year-olds) who have achieved a minimum level of isolated aquatic skills during the first session in the swimming pool. Table 1 shows the minimum requirements for each individual skill to gain access to the "parcours".
Isolated skill | Minimum requirements |
---|---|
10. Entry in the water |
Level 3: Enter the water with a big step forward from one fixed floating mat |
11. Exit the water |
Level 3: Climb up one fixed floating mat to exit the water |
12. Breathing |
No minimum level required |
13. Treading water |
Treading water for at least 5 seconds |
14. Propulsion on the back |
Swimming on the back for at least 5m |
15. Propulsion on the belly |
Swimming on the belly for at least 5m |
16. Submersion |
Swimming in immersion for at least 1,5 m |
17. Rotation(s) in a horizontal body position |
No minimum level required |
18. Rotation(s) in a vertical body position |
No minimum level required |
19. Floating |
No minimum level required |
Table 2 shows the elements assessed in the "parcours" according to the different domains of Aquatic Literacy level.
Domains | Element |
---|---|
Motor |
o Entry in the water with a body disorientation o Treading water o With one forearm over the water surface to show a mat o In place to take visual / auditive information o Submersion
o Propulsion
o Exit of the water on a fixed floating mat |
Psychological |
o Receiving and processing visual (when pointing to a mat) and auditory information (whistle and question from the assessor) o Decision-making in action o Answer a question verbally while treading water |
Scoring sheets |
2 x floating mats* |
4 x suction cups* |
12 fixing belts (1meter)* |
2 x swimming pool lane rope* |
1 x big noodle to protect the wall for the helicopter task* |
1 x noodle + 2 fixing belts for the submersion task* |
1 x hoop of 0,80cm diameter* |
1 x timer* |
1 x kazoo* |
10 x hair elastics* |
7 x oversized T-shirt at knee level for children (8-9 years, 10-12 years, 12-14 years, S, M, L, XL sizes)* |
*This equipment is not provided by ALFAC.
Both level and non-level pools are eligible for the ALFAC parcours assessment. However, the pool must have a minimum of 12.5m of "deep water". Deep water means that the tallest child cannot touch the bottom with his/her feet when his/her head is fully submerged below the water surface. The parcours assessment requires the first two lanes. The second lane is separated on either side by a pool lane rope.
Figure 1 shows the lanes that can be used in a 25m pool.
It is recommended that children wear tight-fitting swimsuits or short swimming shorts (above the knee). If children are wearing shorts below the knee and there is no alternative, they will be allowed to pass but a note (long shorts) will be made on the score sheet. If they have long(er) hair, they must tie it up in a point or tail to keep it out of their face. Goggles and a swim cap* are not allowed. Children will wear an oversized, mid-thigh length T-shirt during the test. If a child needs to wear a swim cap or goggles for medical or other reasons, this will be noted in the 'Remarks' section of the score sheet.
*A single exception to not wearing a swim cap may be tolerated if necessary based on specific local pool rules.
Ideally, a team of at least 2 ALFAC assessors and 1 PE teacher (or other school staff member) is required to carry out the ALFAC assessment. The 2 ALFAC assessors are specially trained to run the ALFAC 'parcours': one gives the instructions and the other scores and takes the time. In another part of the swimming pool, the PE teacher gives a classical lesson. This session (with different parts) is developed by the ALFAC team. In addition to these 3 staff members, 1 qualified lifeguard must be present. He or she is responsible for the overall supervision of the pool and is not involved in the ALFAC assessment.
The ALFAC 'Parcours' assessment consists of a combination of different psychomotor skills.
Task number | Task |
---|---|
1 |
Entry like a helicopter |
2 |
Treading water while pointing an floating mat |
3 |
Swimming 5m on the belly |
4 |
Submerging the full body and swimming ~1,5-2m under water, returning to the water surface in a hoop |
5 |
Exit from the hoop and swimming 5m on the back |
6 |
Submersion under the swimming pool lane rope |
Choice task |
Treading water while taking auditive information and giving an oral answer |
Before / after the signal |
Free choice swimming up to the next exit mat |
On signal |
Going under the swimming pool lane rope and going again under the swimming pool lane rope without touching it |
7 |
Exit the water by climbing up the fixed floating mat |
o Follow the ALFAC training to become an ALFAC assessor.
o Have a copy of this manual to use as a guide during the assessment.
o Set up the ALFAC assessment 'course' using the equipment and floor plan. o List of children to be assessed (their names and codes).
o Printed assessment sheets, including spare copies, and pencils;
o Conduct a short briefing with instructors and administrators:
At the start of the assessment, ensure that the children have a clear side view of the ALFAC 'parcours' test set-up. The children should then be given a verbal explanation of the assessment, indicating the route and the order of the activities to be completed. Throughout the parcours, one of the two assessors should constantly guide the child through the tasks to be completed.
At the beginning of the session, the ALFAC assessors identify the children who have met the minimum requirements to complete the "parcours".
They then select, in groups of 6, the children who have met the minimum requirements for the 10 isolated tasks. The assessor gives instructions to the 6 children (using the "Instructions to give before starting the 'parcours'" in the next section). The first child to pass is a volunteer. He or she will set an example for the others. If the first attempt is unsuccessful due to lack of understanding, he/she will be given a second chance when the other 5 children have completed the course. The other children will only be allowed one attempt.
"What the assessor tells the children"
[What the assessor shows / demonstrates to the children].
[The assessor and child stand on the starting space. The assessor starts to give instructions].
"We are going to do a 'Parcours'".
“In this ‘parcours’, there are floating objects (like a hoop, noodles, swimming pool lane rope) and the wall but you are never allowed to touch or grab them. If you touch them, you lose all your points!
The ‘parcours’ takes place in 2 stages. In the first stage over here [show the beginning of thestandardized ‘parcours’ from the starting space to the second mat], everyone does the same tasks in the same order. The second stage is where you choose your path and thus may be different from the other children. Do you understand this? [Wait for the child to understand and agree].
You are going to start here by jumping in the water like a helicopter [mime the action on the starting space]. When you are in the water, you must not go forward or backward, you will have to look where I am pointing at. I am going to show you, either the first mat [show the first mat], or the second mat [show the second mat]. When you are in the water, staying in place with your nose above the water surface, you will have to show me the mat that I am showing to you [demonstrate the arm that shows the mat]. To do so, you must take one forearm completely out of the water and point at the same mat for 5 seconds [count 1 ... 2 ... 3 ... 4 ... 5].
Subsequently, you swim on your belly to the attached noodle [point to the noodle]. When youreached this noodle, you must swim under the noodle [show the way under the noodle with yourhand] and hiding yourself below the water surface, while moving forward. You need to return to the water surface in the hoop without touching it. Be careful, it is forbidden to show up and to break through the water surface with any part of your body between the noodle and the hoop.
When you are in the hoop, get your head above water and go again under the hoop without touching it [show the way to go under the hoop with your hand]. When you arrive behind the hoop, turn on your back to swim further along the swim lane on your back [mime switching to the back by turning its hand from palm down to palm up] until you reach the second mat [point to the second mat].
When you reach the second mat, you stop and go under the swimming pool lane rope [mime going under the swimming pool lane rope with its hand with palm down], without touching it to get close to the second floating mat. Do not touch it, otherwise the ‘parcours’ is over. Then, while being in the water, you stay in place with your nose above the water surface.
At this point, I am going to ask you a question: Do you want to score 1 point [show 1 finger] or do you want to score more. If you are tired, you stop and exit the water by climbing up the mat. Then you will score 1 point. And if you want to score 2 points [show 2 fingers], you continue. It is your choice. If you choose to go for 2 points, you will have to swim to the first mat [point to the way]. Be careful, if you stop before the next mat, you will lose all your points and score zero!When you get close to the following mat [point to the mat], do not touch it or the ‘parcours' is over. Then, while being in the water, you stay in place with your nose above the surface.
At that point, I am going to ask you another question: Do you want to score 2 points [show 2 fingers] or do you want to score more? If you are tired, you stop and exit the water by climbing up the mat. Then you will score 2 points. If you decide to score 3 points [show 3 fingers], you continue and swim to this mat [show the mat]. Be careful, if you stop before the next mat, you will lose all your points! At this point, you will exit the water by climbing up the mat. Be careful, if you stop before the last mat, you will lose all your points! Do you understand this?? [wait for the child to understand and agree].
I have one last surprise. In the ‘parcours' that you will choose [show with the finger the way of this part of the ‘parcours’], when you hear 'this' [whistle], you must go under the swimming pool lane rope to the next swimming lane and come back to the previous one without touching it [show the way to go under the hoop with your hand].
Okay? [wait for the child to understand and agree]. Do we try to score as many points as possible? [wait for the child to understand and answer]. Do you have any questions? [answer the questions of the children]."