Teaching of Swimming for Preschool Children : Master's Thesis

Provođenje programa privikavanja na vodu djece predškolske dobi od velike je važnosti za kasnije usvajanje znanja plivanja, a samim tim i za razvoj individualnih sposobnosti svakog djeteta. Brojni su pozitivni utjecaji plivanja u radu s djecom predškolske dobi. To je pozitivan utjecaj na razvoj njihovog psihomotoričkih sposobnosti. Kako bi voda imala povoljan utjecaj na rast i razvoj djeteta, odabiru se specifične vježbe i zadatci ovisno o dobi i razvojnim karakteristikama. Također učenje plivanja ima veliki utjecaj na razvoj krvožilnog i dišnog sustava, na pravilan razvoj lokomotornog sustava što pridonosi sprečavanju nepravilnog držanja i deformacije skeleta. Pozitivan utjecaj plivanja očituje se i na psihičke karakteristike djece. Gubi se strah od vode, djeca postaju sigurnija u sebe i svoje sposobnosti, upornija, kontroliraju svoje pokrete i postaju svjesnija mogućih opasnosti.Plivanje utječe i na socijalizaciju djece, pozitivan odnos prema radu u grupi, poštivanje pravila, disciplini u izvršavanju obaveza i sl. Važno je napomenuti da djeca za sudjelovanje u programima privikavanja na vodu te učenja plivanja ne trebaju imati nikakve predispozicije. Putem ciljanih vježbi i igara, djeca se privikavaju na vodu. Onda imaju osjećaj da se igraju te im tako proces učenja plivanja zanimljiviji. Pomoću brojnih pomagala i rekvizita djeca su osjetilno zauzeta i koncentrirana, a rezultati su kvalitetniji.The implementation of adjustment to water in preschool children is of great importance for later swimming competence adoption and by that also for the development of individual capabilities of every child. There are numerous advantages of swimming in working with preschool children. First and foremost, there is the positive influence on their psychomotor capabilities. In order to make the water have its best influence on the growth and development of the child, specific exercises and tasks are chosen dependent on the age and development characteristics. Learning to swim has a great influence on the cardiovascular and the respiratory system development and on the development of the locomotor system which contributes to the hindrance of inadequate posture as well as posture deformation. The beneficial influence of swimming is shown in the psychological features of children. The fear of water disappears, children become more certain in themselves and their capabilities, they become more persistent, control their movements and become aware of the possible dangers. Furthermore, swimming has a great influence on children socialization, on positive group work attitude, abiding to the rules, discipline in carrying out tasks etc. It is important to mention that no predispositions are required in partaking in water adjustment programs. Via specific exercises and games the children get accustomed to water. They develop the feeling of playing which makes the learning process of swimming more interesting. Using numerous learning aids the children are concentrated and engaged in sensory occupation which leads to better quality of the training results