Translation and Face Validity of the Portuguese Version of the Pictorial Scale of Perceived Water Competence

The Pictorial Scale of Perceived Water Competence is a tool used to measure self-perception of water competence in children aged from 5 to 8. The aim of this study was to translate the tool into Portuguese and to evaluate the face validity in 120 children ages from 5 to 8 years from Portugal. Individual interviews were conducted with children to assess familiarity with the 17 Pictorial Scale of Perceived Water Competence aquatic skills and their ability to sequence the scale correctly and logically. Familiarity with aquatic skills (88.2%) and ability to sequence (95.0%) and to logically explain the sequence (97.0%) were high. Nevertheless, these scores were lower ( p < .05) in the children aged 5. In addition, a dependency relationship between children’s familiarity, sequencing, and comprehension of skills with previous aquatic experience was observed when controlled by age—in favor of more experienced children ( p < .05). The Portuguese version of the Pictorial Scale of Perceived Water Competence is well adapted tool for children aged 5–8 years with aquatic experiences and shows very-high level of skill familiarity and good ability to sequence and justify skill progression. However, younger children and those with no previous aquatic experience may have less familiarity and understanding of aquatic skills.