Most of the time, when many swimmers come to the pool they are not aware of or have a limited view of their own abilities. Therefore, it is important to remove those limitations from their minds and instill them a belief about their own abilities before we can really begin to “push” little swimmers.
The reason is, no one is likely to succeed without this belief. A crucial medium in reducing barriers and moving little swimmers to perform their best is goal setting. Although, goal-setting oftentimes associated with business and athletics, it is not just for adults anymore.
According to many research, goal setting can encourage kids to increase motivation to achieve, amplify pride and satisfaction, develop self-confidence and as well as can help them to gain performance.
The goal-setting method called SMART is a great way to motivate individuals helping them to reach their full potentials. Alternatively, it is also a very useful method to motivate kiddos to swim.
In terms, SMART stands for an acronym which represents the essential fundamentals of goal setting.
S for being SPECIFIC
Aim for a specific swimming skill for your child to achieve. You can achieve this by breaking down the mechanics of swimming skills or abilities while teaching to little swimmers specifically what you need them to do.
The more particular your descriptions become, the greater the chance emerges that the little ones will accomplish the task. For example, try to specify this skill: “flutter kick”
M for being MEASURABLE
Measure the progress every time. Determine how you will measure your little swimmer’s improvement for certain skills. You can quantify a swimming skill which, in turn, you will understand where your child is at and what kinds of changes are required to achieve the goal.
To best quantify swimming goals you can measure: distance, depth, quantity and time.
A for being ACHIEVABLE
You need to determine goals for your little ones that are challenging and achievable at the same time. Of course, there is nothing wrong in trying to get your best. However, it will have an adverse motivational impact on a little swimmer, if a goal is seen as difficult to reach.
Usually, seeing that you are failing to meet a goal os very deflating. In addition, once you accomplish a goal, you develop pride and self-confidence regardless of how small it was. And, the same is also true for little swimmers.
Therefore, it is better, to begin with, goals that you know little swimmers will accomplish. Later, once you see the accomplishment, you will know that it is time to gradually raise the bar.
R for RESULTS
Keep the upcoming results in mind while setting a goal. You can do this by thinking goal setting in terms of cause and effect.
Your main target should be progressing, not perfection. Keep in mind that, improvement requires and takes time. It might not be possible for little swimmers to meet all the skills flawlessly.
Striving for progress, rather than for perfection, will allow little swimmers to sustain their confident attitudes while glorifying accomplishments and proceeding to move towards their goals.
T for timing
Try defining the time when the goal will be achieved. Every individual should be trained to meet a goal within a time-frame. However, please consider that depending on their age, muscle type, and some other particular conditions some little swimmers catch on fast and others do it slowly.
Therefore, your time-frame must be realistic and flexible. It must be designed in a way that keeps self-confidence high. Please note that,
in order to avoid an adverse outcome on a little swimmer, don’t be too strict on the time aspect of your goal.
You can implement goal setting strategy in order to “push” little swimmers to attain their full potential since it boosts motivation, increases self-confidence and develops swimming performance
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