Confidence in Water

Curriculum Area: Physical Education (Te Marautanga o Aotearoa)

Level: Early Childhood (Te Whāriki – Exploration | Mana Aotūroa)

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this lesson, students will:

• Develop confidence in the water through fun, structured activities.
• Become comfortable with putting their face in the water.
• Move through the water independently with support.

Equipment Needed

• Pool noodles
• Floating toys (e.g., rubber ducks)
• Watering cans or small buckets for pouring
• Kickboards (if available)

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Lesson Structure (20 Minutes Total)

1. Welcome and Safety Briefing (3 minutes)

• Gather children beside the water and sit in a semi-circle.
• Sing a short welcoming waiata to create a calm, familiar environment.
• Discuss basic pool rules: walking near the water, listening to the teacher, and staying within the safe boundary.
• Introduce the fun experiences they will have during the session.

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2. Water Acclimatisation - Splish, Splash! (5 minutes)

Objective: Get comfortable with water on their face in a fun way.

• Children stand in shallow water while holding the pool edge.
• Use watering cans to gently pour water over their hands, arms, and eventually their heads.
• Play a game of "Rainfall" where they look up and let water trickle on their faces like rain.
• Sing a short song about water while splashing gently.

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3. Blowing Bubbles – Fun with Ducks! (5 minutes)

Objective: Encourage children to put their face in the water through playful interaction.

• Each child gets a floating toy (like a rubber duck).
• Demonstrate how to take a deep breath and blow bubbles in the water—compare it to making the duck "giggle."
• Encourage them to try dipping their mouths in the water to blow bubbles gently.
• Gradually challenge them to put their nose and mouth under for a few seconds.
• Celebrate every small success with claps and encouragement.

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4. Moving Through the Water – Magic Noodles (5 minutes)

Objective: Allow children to experience movement in the water with support.

• Give each child a pool noodle to use as a floatation aid.
• Hold their hands or guide them as they kick their legs and move forward in the water.
• Play “Follow the Leader,” where they mimic the teacher’s motions (kicking, gliding, slow walking).
• If comfortable, have them try "floating stars" (holding onto a noodle and lying back).

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5. Cool-Down and Reflection (2 minutes)

• Guide students to stand in a group near the pool edge.
• Use gentle stretching while discussing their favourite part of the session.
• Sing a short calming waiata as a closing activity.
• Praise their confidence-building efforts and remind them what they achieved today.

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Teacher Tips for Success

• Keep communication and instructions simple and visual. Demonstrate actions before expecting children to follow.
• Use a positive, playful tone to reassure hesitant learners.
• Celebrate small progress—if a child even splashes their face for the first time, that's a big win!
• Ensure the water is at a comfortable temperature to make the experience enjoyable.
• Prioritise safety! Have another adult present if possible and always maintain close supervision.

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Assessment and Reflection

Observe and note:
✅ Which children showed increased comfort with water contact?
✅ Who was able to put their face in the water?
✅ Did any students begin to propel themselves through the water with support?

Use these observations to guide future water confidence sessions.

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Final Thought

By creating a playful and supportive environment, this lesson helps young tamariki build crucial water confidence skills in a way that feels like play rather than pressure. Each small step empowers them on their lifelong journey towards water safety and enjoyment!