Water Confidence & Play Skills
•Year 1
•Swimming
•Water depth approximately waist to chest height for students
Alternative: Shallow end of main pool
Check ladder is secure and non-slip
Alternative: Pool edge steps
Keep poolside for students who need additional support
Alternative: Float bands or armbands
Available for students requiring extra buoyancy support
Alternative: Float jacket or kickboard
To go under the water surface completely or partially
Getting back to a standing position from floating or submerged position
Exhaling air through mouth or nose when face is in water
Body position with knees pulled up toward chest
Body lying flat, parallel to water surface
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Following instructions, describing experiences, learning new vocabulary
Counting breaths, timing submersion, measuring pool distances
Understanding floating, sinking, and buoyancy principles; air pressure and breathing
Building courage and resilience, supporting others, overcoming fears
Move around pool perimeter maintaining visual contact with all students, ready to enter water if needed
Watch for signs of panic, confidence levels, skill progression, and safety awareness
Step in if students show distress, unsafe behaviour, or need individual support
Always demonstrate with calm confidence, show techniques multiple times, emphasise safety aspects
Teaching pool area with water depth waist to chest height for students
Non-slip pool surfaces, clear pool water, appropriate temperature
Stop activity immediately, assist student to safety, provide appropriate first aid, ensure other students remain calm and safe
Sign up free to access 3 complete units per month, unlimited activity library, and your personal locker.