Face validity of the pictorial scale of perceived water competence

The research aims to investigate the face validity of a pictorial scale assessing perceived water competence among 4 to 10 years old children. One hundred and seventy-five children will participate in the study. The pictorial scale is composed by 17 situations analyzing all the aquatic fundamentals related the learning to swim and the risk of drowning. Each situation is illustrated with 3 distinct drawings corresponding to three levels of progression: 1) not able; 2) in progression and 3) able. Children must be able to understand the instructions and to speak French. The face validity consist in analyzing children comprehension of the pictorial scale. Children will be interviewed at school and detached in an isolated and quiet place for a period of 20 minutes. Each interview will be recorded by a voice recorder and will start with an explanation of the procedure to the children. The questionnaire includes four identical questions for each situation that focus on 1) children knowledge of the situation; 2) children ability to understand the level progression in the pictures; 3) children explanations about pictures classification and 4) children perceived level of competence in the situation. The results of the investigation will be presented at the symposia.