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Week 1 Focus: Comfort & Safety in Water

Age Groups:

• Guardian 1 & 2 (6 months–5 years w/ guardian)
• Preschool 1 & 2 (3–5 years independent)
• Ultra 1 (5–7 years)
• Adult Swim 1

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Learning Objectives

Align with BC Curriculum:

• Physical and Health Education:
  Active Living, Personal Health & Safety

  • Develop fundamental aquatic skills and water safety awareness.
  • Build comfort and confidence moving in water.

• Core Competencies:

  • Communication: Interpret and act on safety instructions.
  • Social Responsibility: Practise water safety with peers/guardians.

"I Can" Statements

• Guardian 1 & 2: I can feel comfortable in the water with my guardian and learn how to safely enter and exit the pool.
• Preschool 1 & 2: I can enter and exit the pool safely and practise blowing bubbles.
• Ultra 1: I can enter the water safely, hold my breath underwater, and float with support.
• Adult Swim 1: I can enter the water safely and practise breathing control and floating techniques.

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Lesson Format Overview

Time	Activity	Skill Focus	Equipment	Formation
5 mins	Welcome & Warm-Up	Pool entry & safety briefing	None	Group on pool deck
15 mins	Skill Practice	Entries, exits, breath control, floats	Noodles, PFDs (Guardians & Preschool)	Instructors lead small groups in shallow water (1–3 per instructor)
5 mins	Water Safety Talk	"Water Smart" rules overview	Visual aids (pictures)	Circle on pool deck
5 mins	Play & Cool Down	Reinforce comfort through fun activities	Pool toys, rings	Circle & scatter

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Detailed Activities by Age Group

Guardian 1 & 2 (6 months – 5 years with guardian)

• Skills: Entries/exits with guardian support, gentle submersion, assisted front floats
• Differentiation: For shy children, focus on parent-child side glides; advanced move to gentle supported front & back floats.
• Equipment: PFDs for children, flotation rings, soft pool toys.
• Formation: Parent-child pairs in shallow end, grouped for easy instructor attention.

Preschool 1 & 2 (3–5 years)

• Skills: Supported submersion, controlled blowing bubbles, assisted back floats, safe pool entry & exit independently
• Differentiation: For emerging swimmers, provide additional support with noodles; for confident children, encourage independent float attempts.
• Equipment: Pool noodles, kickboards.
• Formation: Small groups of 3–4 per instructor, spaced evenly for personal feedback.

Ultra 1 (5–7 years)

• Skills: Jumping safely into water, breath control exercises, basic assisted front and back floats, submersion with recovery
• Differentiation: Advanced learners encouraged to glide 3–5m with assistance; less confident focus on front floats and safe entries.
• Equipment: Kickboards, flotation belts.
• Formation: Stations for entry/exits, breath control, and floats, rotating groups.

Adult Swim 1 (All Adults)

• Skills: Safe pool entry (slide, step), breath control, front/back glides, basic floating, introduction to water safety concepts
• Differentiation: Broken down steps for nervous swimmers; extension to continuous floating and 10m glides for advanced learners.
• Equipment: Kickboards, belts if needed.
• Formation: Half pool, participants spaced 2m apart, practising skills individually or in pairs with instructor feedback.

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Success Criteria

Guardian 1 & 2

• I can remain calm in water with my guardian.
• I can enter and exit the pool safely with help.

Preschool 1 & 2

• I can enter and exit the pool safely on my own.
• I can blow bubbles without swallowing water.

Ultra 1

• I can jump safely into water and recover.
• I can float with some support.

Adult Swim 1

• I can enter water safely and practice breath control.
• I can float and glide on front and back.

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Differentiation Strategies

• Use clear, dyslexia-friendly instructions with visuals and simple language.
• Allow for extra time for skill assimilation for learners needing more support.
• Provide tactile feedback and demonstration for kinesthetic learners.
• Pair stronger swimmers with less confident peers for modelling and encouragement.

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Extension Activities

• Guardian & Preschool: Encourage practice of “blowing bubbles” at home to improve breath control.
• Ultra 1: Practice front glides 5m independently at home pool or shallow water.
• Adult Swim 1: Encourage additional breath-holding and floating at home or with instructor supervision.

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Instructor Notes

• Model all skills demonstrating calm and safe behaviour to reinforce imitation learning.
• Use positive reinforcement and praise “I can do it” moments.
• Always maintain close supervision, especially for younger groups and guardians in the water.
• Use engaging dialogue and storytelling to promote Water Smart® safety habits.

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End of Week 1 Plan

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This lesson plan is designed following British Columbia’s Physical and Health Education curriculum focusing on personal safety, active living and inclusivity, aligning with the British Columbia Early Learning Framework and Ministry of Education standards.