Parent Tot Fun: The Rub-a-Dub-Dub Pool Game

The 'Rub-a-Dub-Dub' song is a classic, and adapting it for the pool makes it a wonderful developmental activity for parent and tot pairs. This game helps build confidence, improves basic propulsion skills, and keeps everyone giggling!

Preparation & Setup

Before you begin, make sure the environment is safe and fun! Remember that safety always comes first—supervise your child closely at all times.

<ul><li>Location: Child sitting on the edge of the pool, or being held by a parent. The parent should be in the water, either near or holding the child for support.</li><li>Equipment: The parent should gather 3 floating toys (e.g., small rings, floating balls) to use during the activity.</li></ul>

The Activity Flow

Singing the Song

Start by singing:

“Rub-a-dub-dub, Three men in a tub, And who do you think they were? The butcher, the baker, The candlestick-maker, They all sailed out to sea, ‘Twas enough to make a man stare.”

Adding Movement

Throwing: When you sing each name (butcher, baker, candlestick-maker), throw one of the floating toys into the water.
Retrieval (The Skill Focus): The parent then performs a FRONT GLIDE to retrieve the toys and return safely to the starting point near the child.
Repeat: Repeat the cycle, making sure the retrieval glide is smooth and controlled.

Developmental Benefits (Coach's Corner)

This simple game achieves several developmental goals for both the parent and the child:

For the Child: Being in the water with a supportive parent helps build comfort, reduce fear of the deep end, and associate the pool environment with positive, playful experiences.
For the Parent: The front glide is excellent for practicing horizontal body alignment, core strength, and efficient kicking technique—all foundational skills for swimming proficiency.

Remember to keep the tone light! If the child gets frustrated, take a break, play a different game, or simply sing the song without the toys. The goal is fun first, skill second!