Wobbegongs

Experiences in the Pool

Safe entries – “Safe, Safe” cue can be practised at home as children begin to climb up and down off the couch or downstairs
Conditioning – “This is the way we wash our toes…” With younger babies, we can practise in order working way up from the toes to the top of the head/face
Ball/Toy scramble – children can practise successful grasping and coordinating holding objects at the same time as paddling
Crawl/Walk on the mat – practising safe separation from parents (important in building safe, trusting relationships with children particularly as they become aware/anxious of leaving the safety of their carer); challenging gross motor skills and core strength as they go from crawling to walking; observing others may lead to a child feeling more confident to try the experience for themselves by imitating the actions of another
Sensory time with toys on the mat/in water – popping balls up from underwater (object permanence); intrinsic want to retrieve objects may lead to them wanting to participate in a more active way: ie. crawling to reach toy at the opposite end of the mat
Floating/kicking on back – Encouraging flat body position (back of head/ears in water, legs straight) because children who are beginning to be active are less likely to want to spend time lying down - using props such as a mirror, toys, “Twinkle, Twinkle”, and the tunnel to encourage flat body position
Kicking in forward facing position – encourage kicking by giving verbal cue ‘Kick, Kick’
Submersion – “Humpty Dumpty”, repetition in experience builds confidence, and encourages parents to read their child’s cues/gain consent when submerging as this will build trust. We believe there is no need to rush any skill we practice in the pool and if a child doesn’t feel like doing something, even though they are capable of completing a skill, doesn’t mean they should have to
Encourage Verbal Cues - in every experience giving cues such as “paddle, kick” or “name, ready, go”’ gives children clear instruction, and expectations and lets them pre-empt and prepare for what is about to happen
“Monkey, Monkey” (assisted) – parents holding the child’s hands and moving the child along the wall; this age group are still building upper body strength and coordination to be able to manoeuvre themselves along the wall, but starting this experience young helps set a goal and an expectation for both children and parents

Developmental Milestones

Physical

Pulls self to a standing position when hands held
Raises self to a sitting position
Sits without support
Stands by pulling themself up using furniture
Stepping movements around furniture
Successfully reach out and grasp toys
Picks up and throws small objects
Begins to crawl - mature crawling (quick and fluent)
May stand alone momentarily
Alerts peripheral vision
Rolls ball and crawls to retrieve
Walks, crawls and runs
Takes two to three steps without support, legs wide and hands up for balance
Begins to walk alone in a ‘tottering way’, with frequent falls
Reverts to crawling when in a hurry

Social

Shows definite anxiety or wariness at the appearance of strangers
Begins to cooperate when playing
May play alongside other toddlers, doing what they do but without seeming to interact (parallel play)
Curious and energetic, but depends on adult presence for reassurance

Emotional

Actively seeks to be next to a parent or principal caregiver
Shows signs of anxiety or stress if a parent goes away
Offers toy to adult but does not release it
Actively explores and plays when a parent is present, returning now and then for assurance and interaction
Seeks comfort when upset or afraid
May ‘lose control’ of self when upset or afraid
May show anxiety when separating from significant people in their life

Cognitive

Moves obstacles to get to the desired toy
Responds to own name
Makes gestures to communicate and to symbolise objects, e.g. points to something they want
Seems to understand some things parents or familiar adults say to them
Drops toys to be retrieved, handed back, then dropped again/looks in the direction of dropped toy
Likes playing with water
Understands gestures/responds to "bye bye"
Listens with pleasure to sound-making toys and music
Repeats actions that lead to interesting/predictable results
Knows some body parts and will point to them in a game
Stacks and knocks over items

Language

Responds to own name being called, family names and familiar objects
Babbles tunefully
Says words like “dada” or “mama”
Waves goodbye
Imitates hand clapping
Imitates actions and sound
Shouts to attract attention
Comprehends simple questions and instructions
Reciprocal imitation of another toddler: will imitate each other’s actions

Infant: 6-12 Months Parent & Child

Wobbegongs

Experiences in the Pool

Developmental Milestones

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