The importance of motivating your learners through to Learn to Swim Stage 7

The Learn to Swim Framework aims to build confident and competent learners in a fun and enjoyable way. Learn to Swim Stages 4-7 constitute the second part of this core framework, often taking longer for children to achieve compared to Stages 1-3.

To motivate and support learners in Stages 4-7, complementary Awards can be utilised for continued recognition of their achievements in each stage:

Stage 4: Focus on buoyancy and kicking technique. Complementary Awards include Rainbow Distance Stroke Awards (5m).

Stage 5: Emphasises technique improvement, including sculling, treading water, and 360-degree rotations. Complementary Awards include Rainbow Distance Awards (15m), Rainbow Distance Stroke Awards (10m), and Water Safety 2 Award.

Stage 6: Aims to develop effective swimming skills, coordinated breathing, water safety understanding, and exercise preparation. Complementary Awards include Rainbow Distance Awards (20m, 25m).

Stage 7: Focuses on quality, technique, and swimming up to 100 metres. It combines skills from Stages 1-7 to create linked routines and complete an obstacle course. Complementary Awards include Rainbow Distance Awards (50m, 100m), Rainbow Distance Stroke Awards (25m), and Water Safety 3 Award.

Why should you deliver the complementary Awards alongside our Learn to Swim Stages 4-7 Awards as part of your lessons programme?

The complementary Awards are a great way to keep children motivated and engaged in your swimming lessons. Regular reward and recognition gives children a sense of celebration and achievement which keeps them coming back to lessons each week.

Learn some new skills to help you motivate your learners with this CPD from the Institute of Swimming: Fun Approach to Learn to Swim.