School age - Year 1–2: Lesson 1 — Water confidence breath control

Lesson focus & learning objectives

Focus: building water confidence, breath control, buoyancy and basic kicking through safe entries/exits, supported floats and introductory glides.

• Objective 1 — Perform safe entries and exits
  • Measurable success criteria: student completes a feet-first entry and a controlled exit from the pool edge in 4 out of 5 attempts without showing panic or crying; student uses the poolside or ladder with one hand when prompted.
  • Coaching cues: "big breath", "step in", "hold the edge", "nice and steady".
• Objective 2 — Demonstrate basic breath control (blowing bubbles and face submersion)
  • Measurable success criteria: student blows continuous bubbles with mouth and/or nose for three consecutive breaths while face is in the water and completes three independent face-submerge-and-resurface attempts.
  • Coaching cues: "big breath", "blow bubbles", "chin tuck", "look and come up".
• Objective 3 — Hold supported front and back floats with relaxed posture
  • Measurable success criteria: student maintains a supported front float and a supported back float for three steady breaths each while teacher provides hand support at hips/shoulders; student shows a relaxed face and long body alignment.
  • Coaching cues: "float tall", "hands by ears", "look for the sky", "relax the tummy".
• Objective 4 — Kick with support and perform an introductory push-and-glide
  • Measurable success criteria: student performs a continuous flutter kick while holding the wall or a kickboard for a distance of two body lengths on three attempts and completes a push-and-glide off the wall in streamline position for one clear glide of one to two body lengths.
  • Coaching cues: "kick kick", "long legs", "push and glide", "hands together".

These warm-up activities prepare children for breath control and buoyancy work with simple, progressive movements and clear coaching cues. Use calm, encouraging language and show each cue before children try it.

• Breathing check at the pool edge
  • Instruction: Children stand at the shallow edge facing the water, hands on the edge for support.
  • Progression steps:
    • Model a deep inhale and slow exhale above water, cueing 'big breath'.
    • Children take a deep inhale and lean forward slightly to touch the water with lips, then exhale making bubbles, cueing 'blow bubbles'.
  • Transition: Encourage children to move one step into the water while keeping hands on the edge, cueing 'chin tuck' before the next activity.
• Wall-supported reach and kick
  • Instruction: Children hold the pool wall with both hands and face the water at a shallow angle.
  • Progression steps:
    • Coach demonstrates: arms reach forward, body long, legs straight — cue 'reach and kick'.
    • Children extend arms, push away a small distance while holding the wall, then kick gently on the spot — cue 'kick kick'.
    • Encourage a long body line and steady kicks, breathing between attempts — cue 'push and glide'.
  • Transition: Ask children to turn and hold the wall with their backs to the water for the next float drill, cueing 'ready back'.
• Face-in bubble practice
  • Instruction: Children stand or kneel where they can reach the bottom with feet; hands can rest on a step or hold a noodle if needed.
  • Progression steps:
    • Start with nose and mouth at waterline: inhale, then exhale into the water to make bubbles — cue 'blow bubbles'.
    • Progress to full face dip with eyes closed or goggles on, then come up and take a big breath — cue 'chin tuck'.
    • Repeat with encouragement to relax the cheeks and jaw to let air flow steadily — cue 'slow blow'.
  • Transition: Invite children to keep holding the wall and try a gentle supported float for buoyancy practice, cueing 'float time'.
• Gentle supported front and back float at the wall
  • Instruction: Instructor or parent stands beside each child at the wall to provide hand support under the chest for front floats and under the hips for back floats.
  • Progression steps:
    • Front float: child takes a deep breath, places face in water, reaches forward, and the coach supports under the chest — cues 'big breath' and 'relax'.
    • Back float: child leans back, looks at the sky/ceiling, coach supports under hips — cues 'float tall' and 'breathe easy'.
    • Encourage a calm, steady breath and relaxed limbs; coach gradually reduces pressure to test comfort — cue 'soft hands'.
  • Transition: Praise effort and guide children to stand and prepare for the main session activities with the cue 'ready finish'.

Activity A — Safe entries and exits (goal: confident, controlled water entry)

• Setup: stand at shallow edge with instructor beside or behind for support.
• Step 1: Sit-and-slide entry — sit on the edge, feet first, hands on edge; teacher places a hand lightly at the back. Cue: "hands on, slide in".
• Step 2: Assisted step-in — place one foot in, then the other, teacher steadies under arm if needed. Cue: "step, step, steady".
• Step 3: Assisted jump-in (optional for confident children) — child holds teacher's hands, bends knees and jumps out to float with feet first. Teacher supports chest on first entry. Cue: "big breath, jump out".
• Exit: turn to face the wall, use two hands to pull up and step out with one foot at a time. Teacher spots at the shoulder. Cue: "turn, pull up".

Activity B — Breath control: blowing bubbles to face submersion (goal: steady exhale and relaxed face-in-water)

• Setup: hold the poolside or a kickboard for stability at shallow depth.
• Step 1: Nose and mouth hover — child leans forward and touches chin to water, exhales slowly through nose and mouth to make small ripples. Cue: "chin tuck, blow bubbles".
• Step 2: Bubble blowing with face in — child puts mouth and nose in, exhales to make steady bubbles while eyes stay open if comfortable. Teacher models at side. Cue: "big breath, blow bubbles".
• Step 3: Gentle face submerge — child fully submerges face for a short moment, exhales underwater, then lifts head to breathe. Teacher places a hand ready under the chest. Cue: "blow out, lift up".
• Step 4: Repeated practice — repeat submersion on cue until child shows calm regular bubbles. Progress to small underwater reach only when breathing is steady. Cue: "blow bubbles, nice and calm".

Activity C — Supported front float progression (goal: relaxed body position and trust in buoyancy)

• Setup: hold child at the chest or use a noodle under the chest for initial support in shallow water.
• Step 1: Chest support with knees bent — instructor supports under chest, child stretches arms forward and looks down. Cue: "reach long, relax".
• Step 2: Full body support — teacher slides support to hips while child straightens legs and breathes out slowly to float. Cue: "push and float, blow bubbles".
• Step 3: Reduced hands support — teacher supports only at hips or under knees while encouraging child's body to stay straight. Cue: "stretch tall, tight body".
• Step 4: Spotting independence — teacher holds only at the fingertips or stands nearby while child floats independently. Cue: "float like a star, nice and calm".
• Recovery: roll to side or lift head with teacher support to stand. Cue: "roll or lift, feet down".

Activity D — Supported back float progression (goal: calm breathing and back buoyancy)

• Setup: in shallow water, child stands facing away from teacher; teacher places hands under the shoulder blades or uses a noodle under the shoulders.
• Step 1: Rock-and-lean — child leans back while holding the teacher's hands; teacher supports shoulders. Cue: "lean back, look up".
• Step 2: Full back float with support — teacher supports at shoulders and hips while child keeps body flat, ears in the water, and breathes evenly. Cue: "big breath, float easy".
• Step 3: Reduced support — teacher supports only at the hips or under the small of the back and gradually lowers hands when child stays calm. Cue: "reach long, legs float".
• Step 4: Independent check — teacher stands close but does not touch; child signals when ready to sit up. Cue: "signal when ready".

Activity E — Kicking drills with wall support (goal: steady, straight kicks)

• Setup: child holds the pool wall or a kickboard at the wall, body horizontal with legs extended.
• Step 1: Flutter kick with wall — hands hold the edge, face in water or turned to side if needed, kick from the hips with pointed toes. Cue: "kick kick, toes pointed".
• Step 2: Push and glide with wall return — child pushes off the wall in a streamlined position, teacher supports under hips if needed; child glides then taps the wall and repeats. Cue: "push and glide, tight body".
• Step 3: Kick with float support — use a kickboard held in front; child pushes off and kicks while holding the board to practice bodyline. Cue: "reach and kick, kick kick".
• Step 4: Away-from-wall small distance — child pushes off and kicks a short distance to the instructor or a marker, teacher stays beside. Cue: "push, kick to me".

Activity F — Introductory streamlines and glides (goal: straight bodyline and controlled push-offs)

• Setup: at the wall with toes on the edge or on a standing platform, hands together overhead in a streamlined position (can use a kickboard held vertically to teach alignment).
• Step 1: Push and glide on front with support — child pushes from the wall, arms extended, face in water, teacher supports under hips if needed. Cue: "push and glide, tight arms".
• Step 2: Add small kicks — after a short glide, child adds steady kicks while maintaining the streamline. Cue: "kick kick, keep tight".
• Step 3: Streamline on back — child pushes off on back with hands together and ears in water, teacher spots at the hips; practice floating then finishing by standing. Cue: "push, float back".
• Step 4: Progress to independent glide into wall touch — child pushes, glides with small kicks to a marker, then stands. Cue: "push and glide, touch the wall".

Coaching cues and safety reminders during all activities

• Use short coaching cues constantly: "big breath", "blow bubbles", "chin tuck", "reach long", "push and glide", "kick kick", "tight body".
• Keep hands-on until the child demonstrates calm, repeatable control; always position instructor where they can support shoulders or hips quickly.
• Use progressive steps: model first, assist second, reduce support third, observe independence fourth.

Fun Game & Challenge: Breath, Buoyancy & Kicking Games

Two engaging games keep focus on breath control, buoyancy and kicking while maintaining high energy and clear skill practice. Each game includes setup, rules, objectives, coaching cues and simple ability adaptations.

1. Bubble Treasure Hunt (breath control & submersion)

• Objective: Encourage safe face submersion and controlled exhale by collecting toys from shallow water while blowing bubbles.
• Setup: Scatter 6–10 small weighted toys on the shallow floor. Each child has a small collection basket at the poolside.
• Rules:
  • On the instructor's signal each child enters the water at the shallow end.
  • To pick up a toy the child takes one big breath, puts face in water, blows bubbles while reaching for the toy, then returns to the side and drops the toy in their basket.
  • Each toy collected earns one point. Children continue until all toys are collected or instructor stops the round.
  • Children take turns if the area gets crowded; instructor manages flow to keep safety and space.
• Coaching cues: "Big breath", "chin tuck", "blow bubbles", "reach and take", "up to side".
• Adaptations:
  • Emerging: Instructor stands beside child, providing hand support at hips. Child picks toys within arm's reach without full submersion; cue "nose in, blow bubbles".
  • Developing: Child reaches slightly deeper for toys; instructor provides light hold at the back if needed. Encourage one-second face submersion while blowing bubbles.
  • Confident: Child swims independently to mid-shallow and fully submerges face to retrieve toys; increase number or spread of toys for extra challenge.
• Safety note for game: Instructor positions at the poolside and in the water near the group to supervise retrievals and ensure safe exits.

2. Rescue Race Relay (kicking, buoyancy & glide practice)

• Objective: Practice kicking with support and short push-and-glide streamlines while keeping buoyant and using breath control during brief underwater checks.
• Setup: Split children into small teams. Each team lines up at a wall. A lightweight rescue toy or noodle acts as the "rescue object" at the opposite wall or a marked buoy.
• Rules:
  • On the cue, the first child pushes off from the wall holding a kickboard or noodle, kicks to the rescue object while keeping chin tucked and blowing bubbles, reaches the object, and returns to the wall pushing and gliding into a supported float or wall hold.
  • Child passes the rescue object to the next teammate who repeats. The team completes when all teammates have gone once.
  • Focus remains on technique and safe transitions rather than speed; instructor awards points for form (see scoring below).
• Coaching cues: "Push and glide", "kick kick", "chin tuck", "blow bubbles", "reach and hold".
• Scoring / encouragement:
  • Award a form point if the child keeps steady kicks, a bubble exhale, and a straight glide. Use praise: "Nice glide", "Good bubbles."
• Adaptations:
  • Emerging: Child kicks holding a noodle against the chest and instructor supports at the hips during travel. Distance is the short lane width or half the pool width.
  • Developing: Child uses a kickboard and instructor provides intermittent light support only at the waist. Distance is full lane width or to a marked mid-point.
  • Confident: Child kicks independently with a streamline push-off, glides then returns with a gentle head check and bubble exhale. Increase distance or add a second glide for challenge.
• Safety note for game: Place an instructor at each end wall and one mid-pool vantage to watch glides and pushes. Ensure clear lane and single-file movement.

Game-ending reflection and positive feedback

• After each round, ask children to show one thing they did well: "Show your bubbles" or "Show your glide".
• Use short praise phrases: "Great bubbles", "Strong kick", "Nice float".

Equipment

• Kickboards — use for supported kicking practice and short glides: child holds board with both hands, teacher supports hips, cue "reach and kick".
• Noodles — use as chest or under-armpit supports for front floats and gentle back support for initial buoyancy: teacher or child rests on noodle, cue "long body".
• Flotation belts — use for independent practice of kicking and body position while maintaining an upright safety margin: adjust fit low on hips, cue "kick kick" while belt provides buoyancy.
• Small toys / sinking toys — use as motivators for submersion and breath control games: ask child to "blow bubbles" before retrieving toy or to put face in for a reward.

Safety notes

• Recommended staffing — one qualified swim instructor in the water per up to six beginners (1:6). Add one additional competent adult on poolside for every additional group of up to six. A certified lifeguard remains on duty and actively supervising the pool at all times.
• Qualifications — at least one staff member holds a recognized swim-teaching qualification and one staff member holds an up-to-date lifeguard/rescue qualification and first aid.
• Always-on supervision — staff maintain hands-on or arm’s-length contact for emerging swimmers; parents never leave children unattended during at-home practice.
• Key positions during activities
  • Entries/exits — teacher at steps or shallow end, facing children, ready to support; assistant at nearby wall to receive child if needed; lifeguard on elevated station scanning entire pool.
  • Breath control & submersion — teacher kneels at pool edge or stands in-water within arm’s reach providing chin/shoulder support; assistant stands poolside watching line of sight; lifeguard maintains clear view of subgroup.
  • Supported floats & kicking at wall — teacher provides hand or noodle support at hips/under shoulders; assistant spots from poolside at wall; lifeguard monitors adjacent lanes/areas.
  • Games/challenges — teacher manages activity flow from in-water position; assistant manages equipment and returns toys; lifeguard maintains overall supervision and immediate rescue readiness.
• General safety rules
  • Use shallow-water entry and stable steps; check depth and water temperature before starting.
  • Remove necklaces and keep hair tied back; ensure swimwear fits correctly (no loose clothing).
  • Apply "reach, throw, row, go" policy for rescues: attempt reach or throw before entering the water to assist.
  • Stop activities immediately if a child shows sign of distress or fatigue; keep calm and give one-to-one support.

Parent / at-home practice (safe, simple exercises)

• Bubble song — hold child facing you in shallow bath or standing water, support under chest; sing a short rhyme while child practices "big breath" and then "blow bubbles" into the water. Cue: "Big breath — blow bubbles." Emphasize being within arm’s reach at all times.
• Face-in toy reach — place a floating toy a short distance away; encourage child to lean forward (knees on step or sitting on edge) and dip chin or face briefly to "get the toy" with parent nearby supporting hips. Cue: "Chin tuck — reach and grab." Keep hands-on support and stop if child resists.
• Kick together — parent holds child under armpits or around chest in chest-to-chest position and gently move through shallow water while both kick; repeat with child holding edge for independent small kicks. Cue: "Kick together — kick kick." Maintain constant physical contact and clear verbal encouragement.

Safety reminder: parents keep children within arm’s reach, avoid distractions, and do not leave children unattended near water.

Primary progression goal: children show safe, supported float and controlled blowing of bubbles consistently for teacher verification before advancing to the next lesson.