METHODOLOGICAL ISSUES IN KIDS SWIMMING WITH EMPHASIS ON PLAYFULNESS

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to reveal the methodologies used in kids swimming at three swim schools in the city of Guarapuava / PR. These schools were visited and two classes of kids swimming were observed from each instructor. A semi structured interview was also conducted with the same instructors and later on it was qualitatively analyzed. The objectives of this study were to list the main activities developed at kids swim schools in Guarapuava / PR and identify if instructors use play activities and whether they contribute to water adaptation for swimming beginners. The choice in researching the influence of recreation and play in teaching kids to swim takes place because it is a pertinent topic and still underexplored in the place where the research was being conducted. The main results obtained highlight that teachers make use of playful activities through various resources. Important nuances on the topic were unveiled through their speeches. Based on the data collected and analyzed, it can be concluded that playfulness is important and, it is up to the kids instructor, working as a mediator of the learning process, to use the playful component as a facilitator tool of learning.