Toddler - Introduction
Lesson Overview
Children enter a warm, playful setting where the instructor uses songs, games and gentle routines to ease curiosity about the water and build trust. The atmosphere encourages exploration at each child's pace, positive reinforcement and clear safety cues so toddlers feel secure and ready to try new movements.
This lesson aims to increase water confidence, introduce simple breath control and buoyancy awareness, and begin developing foundational kicking and arm actions that lead toward future strokes. Instructors also reinforce early safety habits — such as following instructions, moving with support and recognizing pool boundaries — so each child gains skills and confidence in a fun, supportive way.
Entry Down Stairs - P04
Child holds railing and teacher's hand Child walks down stairs to teacher
Child walks down with teacher assistance
Mat Walk - P01
Supported standing Mat is held by parents and children until their turn Parent and teacher assist child along mat Child sits on edge of mat On cue '1 2 3' parent bends child at waist to enter water Parent and child participate
Allow child to feel their own weight on feet
Child walks to mat edge with support
Needs to be able to walk with support
Development in WaterNeeds to be able to balance and move on mat with parent or teacher support
Submersion Technique - P01
Parent and child face to face Hold under child's arms Lift up slightly while moving forward (like going over a speedbump) Allow child's weight to take them underwater as they come down from speedbump One at a time Line - child on stairs OR Line - children and parents in pairs lined up across pool
Parent practice speedbump technique, face to face
PFDs on Front - P01 "London Bridge"
Teacher holds 1 holey mat against wall to create tunnel Parent with child on PFD move through tunnel Teacher sprinkles water on child's head in tunnel Continue in circle to repeat Circle - children and parents in pairs move around in a circle "London Bridge"
Arms and body should be on TOP of PFD. If child is holding on properly, parent can pull child along by holding handle with one hand and put other hand under child's chest or belly to help with balance.
Parent and child on front moving around in a circle
- London bridge is falling down, falling down, falling down
- London bridge is falling down
- My fair lady
- Build it up with sticks and stones, sticks and stones, sticks and stones
- Build it up with sticks and stones
- My fair lady
PFDs on Back - P01 "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star"
Parent with child on back Teacher holds up mirror Parent with child on back move in circle Encourage child to look at mirror Continue in circle to repeat
Parent and child on back moving around in a circle
For children who are not comfortable lying back, instruct parents to hold with a little more assistance (cheek-to-cheek or child's head at their chest).
- Twinkle, twinkle little star
- How I wonder what your are
- Up above the world so high
- Like a diamond in the sky
- Twinkle, twinkle little star
- How I wonder what you are
Turn-Around - P01
Child in noodle boat Change direction in water, swim back to point of entry Line - child on stairs/sitting on pool edge
Child in noodle boat Parent assist as necessary
Advanced: Push off, kick, then turn around and kick back. Jump in then turn around - MUST be one at a time, supervised.
Froggy Jump - P01
One child at a time An exaggerated jump: teacher/parent holds child's feet and pushes child up out of water to jump forward Parent supports child while child participates
Parent-assisted
Allow child to glide & kick to parent instead of catching right away.
Wheels On The Bus - P01
Circle - children and parents in pairs around teacher Follow actions in lyrics Parent and child facing teacher (Modification: parent and child face to face)
Parent can demonstrate actions if child is not ready to do on their own.
Parent and child participate
Parent and child face to face or facing teacher. Have children stand on island and do actions.
- The wheels on the bus go round and round, round and round, round and round
- The wheels on the bus go round and round
- All through the town
- The kids on the bus go up and down
- The wipers on the bus go swish swish swish
- The horn on the bus goes beep beep beep
- The hole in the roof it lets in rain
- The kids on the bus they kick their feet
- The motor on the bus goes vroom vroom vroom (blow bubbles)
- The driver on the bus waves bye bye bye