Pictorial scale of perceived water competences The building of a new tool adapted to the children

Introduction
Researches have demonstrated the interest to develop pictorial instrument for assessing fundamental movement skill perceived competence in young children (1). Perceived competence appears appear at least as important as actual competence as it may more directly affect motivation towards an active behavior (2). For different reasons, it is worth developing such a pictorial instrument for assessing children’s perceived water competencies. With that aim, a collective of researchers have decided to work on the development of such a new tool.
Methods
The collective of researcher started in 2016 during AIESEP congress in Laramie (USA) and grew up by including additional experts specialized in aquatic skill and/or pictorial scale tools. Videos skype conference and email exchanges were used for communication. Important discussions and decisions concerned the list of aquatic competence skills, the scoring system, the selection of an illustrator and the characteristics of the pictures. In order to build the tool within a reasonable delay, timing with the different actions has been suggested.
Results
A first list of water competencies has been dressed based on scientific references (3-5). According to these skills, different practical situation have been selected to be included in the pictorial scale. The collective of researcher decided to start with a three level score system including ‘not able’, ‘in progression’ and ‘able’ pictures for each situation. All pictures must be digital in such a way they could be used on paper and/or on computer and android/apple applications. Pictures have to be neutral and to be representative of different cultures and contexts in order to be adapted to all countries and situations. The possibility of having the same image in different cultural contexts is investigated. The different steps in the scale development have been scheduled and will include: content validity, face validity, construct validity, reliability, data collection.
Conclusion
The development of a pictorial instrument for assessing children perceived water competencies is progressing well and a usable version of the tool should be available by the end of 2017
References
1. Barnett, L. M., Ridgers, N. D., Zask, A., & Salmon, J. (2015). Face validity and reliability of a pictorial instrument for assessing fundamental movement skill perceived competence in young children. Journal of science and medicine in sport, 18(1), 98-102.
2. Barnett, L. M., Morgan, P. J., van Beurden, E., & Beard, J. R. (2008). Perceived sports competence mediates the relationship between childhood motor skill proficiency and adolescent physical activity and fitness: a longitudinal assessment. International journal of behavioral nutrition and physical activity, 5(1), 40.
3. Langendorfer, S. J., & Bruya, L. D. (1995). Aquatic readiness: Developing water competence in young children. Human Kinetics 1.
4. Langendorfer (2015). Changing Learn-to-Swim and Drowning Prevention Using Aquatic Readiness and Water Competence, International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education, 2015, 9, 4-11
5. Quan et al. (2015). Toward Defining Water Competency: An American Red Cross Definition, International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education, 2015, 9, 12-23