What is required for the red star swim benchmark for young children?

The red star swim benchmark for young children emphasizes comfort and body awareness in the water, which is why performing a relaxed position for at least five seconds is the correct answer. This skill helps children develop confidence and learn to float, crucial components in building a foundational swimming ability. By achieving a relaxed position, they can explore buoyancy and understand how their bodies respond to being in water, promoting safety and relaxation.

While gliding across the pool is an important skill and swimming continuously for 10 meters demonstrates a higher level of proficiency, these abilities are not as fundamental for very young swimmers in their initial stages of learning. Similarly, jumping off the diving board, while a fun activity, is not a benchmark that ensures children have the necessary foundational skills to be safe and comfortable in the water. The focus at this stage is on cultivating a sense of ease in the water, which the relaxed position specifically supports.