Grade 1 Movement Activities Swimming – Water safety skills Notes
Movement Activities — Swimming
Subtopic: Water safety skills (Age: 6 — Kenya)
Specific Learning Outcomes (SLOs)
- Identify common water places in Kenya (pool, river, lake, ocean) and say one safety rule for each.
- Demonstrate safe entry and exit in shallow water with adult help (step in/step out, hold the side).
- Show basic water comfort skills: blow bubbles, put face in water briefly, and float on back with help for 3–5 seconds.
- Demonstrate simple leg kick while holding the pool edge or a float (5 to 10 kicks).
- Know what to do if in trouble: call for an adult, float on back, or reach for a thrown float — do not enter deep water alone.
Suggested Learning Experiences (age 6)
- Children stand in line and stretch arms up like a tree, then bend to touch toes. Teacher uses commands in English and simple Swahili words: "Up — juu", "Breathe — pumua".
Purpose: Prepare bodies and practise listening for pool instructions.
- At shallow side, children sit at edge and splash with hands, then practise blowing bubbles in the water (nose and mouth). Use gentle teacher modelling.
Visual aid: small paper cards showing a child blowing bubbles (👦💨🌊).
Safety: One adult per 4–6 children. Life jackets for non-swimmers near deeper water.
- Teacher supports each child under the back and shoulders; child learns to relax and float on back for a few seconds. Count slowly to 5.
Tip: Use a noodle or float under the shoulders for extra support.
- Children hold pool edge or a kickboard and practise straight-leg kicks — count to 10 each turn. Make it a game: "How many splashes?" 🦵💦
- Teach step-in, sit-and-slide for pools; show how to hold rocks and ropes at calm rivers/ponds (do not enter unsafe rivers). Practice stepping out of shallow water onto the pool edge.
Kenyan context: Remind children never to play near irrigation canals, dams or unknown river edges without an adult.
- From shore, teacher/assistant throws a ring buoy or rope to a pretend "struggling doll" — children practise shouting for help and staying on the bank. Teaches: throw a float, call an adult, do not jump in.
- Use cards showing Kenyan scenes: beach with lifeguard, rocky river with strong flow, farm irrigation canal, pier, ferry. Children place cards in "Safe" or "Not safe" piles and explain one reason with teacher help.
Materials, Staffing & Safety
- Materials: life jackets, kickboards, pool noodles, ring buoy/throw rope, picture cards, first aid kit, sunscreen, hat.
- Staffing: adult supervision at all times. Ratio suggestion: 1 adult per 4–6 children in water; have a trained adult (lifeguard/CPR-trained) nearby.
- Safety rules to teach: swim only with an adult, wear a life jacket on boats/ferries, do not run near water, obey signs and lifeguards.
- Emergency: stay calm, call for help, use a float/throw rope. Teacher note: know local emergency contacts; follow school safety policy.
Assessment & Useful Words
Assessment (simple checklist): Observe each child and tick when they can:
- Blow bubbles in water
- Float on back with help (3–5 sec)
- Make 5 kicks while holding edge
- Say what to do when someone is in trouble (call adult/throw float)
Learning vocabulary (English — Kiswahili):
Water — Maji | Life jacket — Vesti ya kuhuisha | Float — Kuteleza/madaraja | Help — Usaidie
Teacher tips
- Use short, clear instructions and demonstrate every skill first.
- Encourage children with praise: "Good try!" and "Well done!"
- Adapt activities for nervous children — more flotation and closer adult support.
- Integrate local examples: talk about Lake Victoria, local beaches, and safe ferry travel.
Note: These activities are introductory water-safety experiences for 6-year-olds. They are not a substitute for formal swimming lessons. Always keep children within arm's reach near water.