Don't let your class get stuck on the Water Familiarisation Treadmill!

Wondering What To Teach Preschoolers Who Can’t Swim?

If your preschoolers are scared of water, or won’t put their faces under, this lesson plan is for you!

Designed for beginner swimmers aged 3-5 years old (but also great for nervous swimmers up to 12), this downloadable and printable lesson plan includes 14 fun, structured water activities to build water confidence, develop essential swimming skills, and introduce the 7 Fundamentals of Swimming.

With a mix of play-based learning and structured activities, this lesson plan helps young swimmers progress from absolute beginners to active little swimmers who can navigate the water; always with an adult close by!

Why Choose This Lesson Plan?

✔ Clear Progression & Structure – Moves children from water fear to confidence through a step-by-step approach.

✔ Engaging & Fun Activities – Keeps preschoolers excited and focused with interactive lessons.

✔ Water Safety & Confidence Building – Teaches safe entries, floating, submersion, and breath control.

✔ Technical Accuracy – Helps young swimmers develop proper foundational skills early on.

✔ Adaptability – Perfect for preschool swim classes, private lessons, and parent-led home practice.

✔ Flexible Pacing – Lessons can be taken at a fast pace or adjusted for nervous swimmers.

What’s Included?

📌 14 Age-Appropriate Activities designed to:

💦  Overcome fear of water

💦  Introduce floating, kicking, and basic propulsion

💦  Teach breath control and submersion in a fun, stress-free way

💦  Improve coordination and body awareness in the water

📌 Printable PDF lesson plan – Instant download for easy use.

📌 Step-by-step instructions for swim instructors and parents.

📌 Fast-paced or self-paced approach to match each swimmer’s learning speed.

Who Is This For?

✔ Swim teachers looking for a structured preschool swim curriculum.

✔ Parents who want to teach water confidence and safety at home.

✔ Toddler and preschool swim schools needing engaging, play-based activities.

✔ Instructors working with nervous or fearful swimmers needing extra reassurance.

Give little swimmers the best start in the water with this engaging and supportive lesson plan!

💪 4 Reasons why these are the BEST swimming lesson plans for you:

1. We don't just tell you what to teach, we tell you how to teach each activity,

2. They are fun and easy to use,

3. We made learning and teaching quality learn to swim affordable and accessible for everyone, and

4. We focus on skill building and accelerated learning...great for classes stuck on the 'water familiarization' treadmill!!

All swimming lesson plans come from my 25+ years experience as a qualified Australian (AustSwim) Swim Instructor; I have successfully used these swim plans to teach children of all ages and abilities. All our lesson plans include water safety and drowning prevention skills.