Parent Tot #2: Songs, Floats, and Water Entry Activities

Water Entry: Sit on the Side, Slide In

Have the child sit on the side of the pool while the parent gets in the water. The parent keeps a hold on the child while doing so. This builds trust and teaches a safe entry routine.

Song: Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes

Have the child sit on the wall while the parent stands in the water facing them. Sing the song together, touching the child's head, shoulders, knees, and toes with gentle splashes or hands in time with the lyrics. This activity builds body awareness and comfort with water on the face.

Watch the Song in Action

Motorboat Song

Have the child sit on the side with feet dangling in the water. The parent stands in front and holds the child's feet. Move the feet like kicking while singing:

1. "Motorboat, motorboat, go so slow" — kick slowly
2. "Motorboat, motorboat, go so fast" — kick faster
3. "Motorboat, motorboat, step on the gas!!!!" — kick as fast as possible

This activity introduces the kicking motion in a playful way and builds leg strength.

Supported Front Floats

Hold the child with palms up and thumbs wrapped around their shoulders. This "front float hold" supports the child securely while they experience floating on their stomach. Alternatively, hold the child like catching a football, with thumbs wrapped around the rib cage and fingers around the shoulder blades. Both holds keep the child safe and comfortable while introducing the front float position.

Supported Front Floats

Supported Front Floats

Palms up, thumbs around the shoulders.

Or hold child like catching a football, with thumbs wrapped around rib cage and fingers around shoulder blades.

Throw a Toy and Get It

Throw a Toy and Get it

Have the child or a parent throw a toy into the water.

The parent does their cueing, “1, 2, 3, Go!” and then pulls the child into their arms in the water, and into a front float.

Do a front float to the toy and get it

Return to the wall, and repeat.

Encourage child to reach for the toy.

Support the chest, remain low in the water.

Goal is to lay flat and stretch out with kicking to “help” move.

Supported Back Float / Glide

Supported Back Float / Glide

Have the swimmer rest on the parent’s shoulder. Lean into their neck and arm.

If ADVANCED hold the back of the head.

Advanced babies.

Start with head on shoulder, support the head and body, and finally support the head.

Your calm will dictate the swimmer’s calm.

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Song

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Song

“Twinkle twinkle little star, how I wonder what you are. Up above the world so high, like a diamond in the sky, Twinkle Twinkle little star, how I wonder what you are.

When this blazing sun is gone, When he nothing shines upon, Then you show your little light, Twinkle, twinkle, through the night.

Then the traveller in the dark Thanks you for your tiny spark; He could not see where to go, If you did not twinkle so.

Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star – Song

In the dark blue sky you keep, And often through my curtains peep, For you never shut your eye Till the sun is in the sky.

As your bright and tiny spark Lights the traveller in the dark, Though I know not what you are, Twinkle, twinkle, little star.

Parent Tot – Song – If you’re happy and you know it Play 2 x

Can do this with child sitting on the side, or with the child in the parent’s arms.

Lyrics:

If you’re happy and you know it, splash your hands If you’re happy and you know it, splash your hands If you’re happy and you know it And you really want to show it If you’re happy and you know it, splash your hands If you’re happy and you know it, splash your feet If you’re happy and you know it, splash your feet If you’re happy and you know it And you really want to show it If you’re happy and you know it, splash your feet If you’re happy and you know it, Kiss the water If you’re happy and you know it, Kiss the water If you’re happy and you know it If you’re happy and you know it If you’re happy and you know it, Kiss the water If you’re happy and you know it, Kiss the water

Passing to the wall

Child held by parent. Parent holding child in front of body facing away.

Parent should hold child horizontal facing towards the wall. Count “1, 2, 3, GO!” and pass the child forward by extending arm. Child should reach out and grab the wall.

Beginner: Parent holds onto child entire time.

Intermediate: Parent lets go of child just before they reach the wall.

Advanced: Parent pushes child underwater to the wall about 1 body length away, and child grasps wall independently.

Hokey Pokey Song