Teaching toddlers and preschoolers to swim is an adventure filled with splashes, giggles, and moments of discovery. However, it’s not without its challenges. Keeping little ones engaged while ensuring they learn essential skills can require a creative approach.
That’s where the PLAY philosophy comes in. PLAY stands for :
Purposeful Play,
Led by Curiosity,
Active Engagement, and
Yielding Growth.
This approach transforms swimming lessons into captivating experiences tailored to young swimmers, making learning both fun and effective.
Here are 10 top tips to bring the PLAY philosophy into your lessons and keep your young swimmers excited to dive in.
1. Start with Purposeful Play
Young children learn best through play, so make every activity meaningful. Incorporate games and props that target specific skills. For example, a treasure hunt with sinking gems and coins can teach submersion and breath control. Purposeful play ensures that every splash contributes to their growth and confidence in the water.
2. Follow Their Lead
Children’s natural curiosity is a powerful motivator. Observe what excites them and build your activities around their interests. If they love splashing, create a “wave-maker” game where they practice kicking. By being led by curiosity, you’ll keep them engaged and eager to participate.
3. Keep It Active and Dynamic
Toddlers and preschoolers thrive on movement. Avoid static, repetitive exercises and opt for high-energy games instead. For example, “Red Light, Green Light” can be used for kicking practice. Keeping activities dynamic ensures active engagement and prevents boredom.
4. Celebrate Small Wins
For little swimmers, every achievement matters. Whether it’s blowing bubbles or floating with support, celebrate their milestones with enthusiasm. Positive reinforcement aligns with the “yielding growth” aspect of PLAY, encouraging children to feel proud and motivated to learn more.
5. Bring Materials to Life
Create materials that spark imagination and make lessons relatable. A craft foam creation is perfect for loose part play items to be added and an activity based around the materials, for instance, this time of year having a craft foam Christmas tree and some colourful pom poms opens up to scaffolding core skills. Purposeful tools like these encourage independence and playful exploration.
6. Make Transitions Fun
Moving from one activity to the next can disrupt focus, but transitions can be turned into playful adventures. Use action songs, live stories or role-play to keep the energy up. For instance, the book Zog is perfect to create a lesson with many activities that has seamless transitions.
7. Create Themed Lessons
Themes like “Ocean Explorers” or “Ringmaster at a circus” or "Penguin paradise" turn swimming sessions into magical journeys. These curiosity-led themes allow children to imagine and explore while practicing essential skills, making every lesson memorable.
8. Foster Social Connections
Group activities encourage teamwork and help build confidence. Simple games like passing a ball in a circle not only improve coordination but also create a sense of camaraderie. Social interaction is a powerful way to promote active engagement and growth.
9. Stay Positive and Flexible
Each child is unique, and their comfort levels will vary. Be ready to adapt activities to their needs. If a child hesitates to submerge, let them pour water on a puppet or their hands (or their parents) instead. Flexibility helps build trust and ensures steady progress.
10. Add Music and Rhythms
Music makes everything more fun! Incorporate songs and rhythms into your lessons to keep energy levels high. For example, singing “The children in the pool, go round and round,” while splashing or kicking adds a playful rhythm to skill-building activities.
Why PLAY Matters
PLAY—Purposeful Play, Led by Curiosity, Active Engagement, and Yielding Growth—is a powerful framework that brings out the best in young swimmers. Each tip above ties into this philosophy, blending creativity, exploration, and skill-building to create lessons that children love.
By embracing the PLAY approach, swimming teachers can transform the pool into a place where toddlers and preschoolers not only learn to swim but also develop confidence, joy, and essential life skills.
Ready to dive into PLAY? Let’s make swimming lessons a splashing success!
Unlock More Ideas with SWIM Squad Membership
Looking for even more ways to incorporate purposeful play into your lessons? The SWIM Squad membership is here to help. It’s packed with inspirational games, imaginative activities, and creative lesson ideas to keep your sessions fresh and exciting every month. Designed for swimming teachers and tailored to every age and ability, it’s the ultimate resource to make your lessons unforgettable.
With a focus on PLAY, SWIM Squad helps you create meaningful, skill-building experiences that children love. Plus, it’s brimming with fun themes and tools to keep your lessons dynamic and engaging.
