Program

School age - year 1-2

The School age - Year 1–2 program develops beginner school-aged children's water confidence and foundational swimming skills through a progressive sequence that teaches breathing control, buoyancy and floating, kicking and basic arm actions, safe entries and exits, and introductory stroke technique while reinforcing safety, assessment-driven progression, fun challenges, and at-home practice.
By Acme Swim
3 Lesson Plans
Public

Lesson Plans

Overview
1
School age - Year 1–2: Lesson 1 — Water confidence breath control
6 steps
2
School age - Year 1–2: Lesson 2 — Independent floating, kicking and front glides
6 steps
3
School age - Year 1–2: Lesson 3 — Introduction to coordinated arm and leg action (early stroke skills)
  • Focus: combining kick and single-arm actions, basic buoyant streamline, safe jumps and exits

Program Overview

School age - Year 1–2 welcomes beginner school-aged children into the pool with a clear, confidence-first progression that blends playful challenges and focused skill practice. The program builds a positive relationship with water while emphasising safety, independence, and the foundational movement patterns that prepare children for future stroke development.

  • Build confident, relaxed participation in the water through gradual exposure and supportive coaching.
  • Establish core water-safety habits and safe pool behaviours that children understand and can follow.
  • Develop fundamental aquatic skills—breathing control, buoyancy and floating, effective kicking, and basic arm actions—using simple, progressive steps.
  • Introduce safe entries and exits and early stroke concepts to create a smooth pathway toward formal technique learning.
  • Keep sessions engaging with games and challenges that encourage social interaction, motivation, and measurable progress.
  • Provide clear success markers and practical at-home suggestions so caregivers and instructors can support each child’s ongoing development.

Key Objectives

  • Greet children and caregivers warmly and state clear, achievable objectives for the session so everyone understands the focus.
  • Verify health notes, allergies and attendance on arrival and confirm caregiver contact availability for emergencies.
  • Perform a pre-class safety sweep: lifeguard or designated watcher confirmed, emergency phone accessible, pool deck clear of trip hazards and rescue equipment in place.
  • Set and communicate 2–3 progressive learning goals per lesson that map to overall program milestones (breathing, buoyancy, kicking, arm actions, safe entry/exit).
  • Plan activities in small, sequential steps with clear coaching cues and measurable success criteria so progress is observable and recordable.
  • Use a recommended staff-to-child ratio of about 1:6 for beginners, reduce ratio for less confident groups, and always include a visible poolside watcher or lifeguard.
  • Keep instructors within arm’s reach for children who require physical support and use hands-on assistance judiciously to encourage independence.

Lesson Plans

3 plans
Lesson Plans
Status
Action

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

6 StepsSwimming lessonLesson 1

Students develop water confidence and fundamental buoyancy and breathing skills by practicing safe entries and exits, breath control (bubbles and face submersion), supported front and back floats, kicking with wall support, and introductory glides...

1
Views
Public
View

School age - Year 1–2: Lesson 2 — Independent floating, kicking and front glides

6 StepsSwimming lessonLesson 2

Students practice independent back floats and recoveries, build front glides from a kneel or step, develop efficient kicking with and without a board, and begin single‑arm reach and pull preparation with scaffolded coaching, safety adaptations, and...

1
Views
Public
View

School age - Year 1–2: Lesson 3 — Introduction to coordinated arm and leg action (early stroke skills)Focus: combining kick and single-arm actions, basic buoyant streamline, safe jumps and exits

0 StepsSwimming lessonLesson 3

Begin combining kick with single-arm actions and introduce side breathing, streamline glides, and safe shallow-water jumps. Use progressive drills, a playful station or game, clear adaptations, equipment guidance and quick assessments. Progress when...

1
Views
Public
View
Back
Home
Search