Lesson #8 (pages 42-45) represents one of the happiest places for children, playing in the kiddie pool!  Ok as you should expect by now, everywhere there is the possibility of fun, there is also the possibility of safety and security issues, and wherever there is water, there is danger for unsupervised children.  However, using this lesson plan you will be able to impart your children with knowledge of most issues that can occur in and around any pool, regardless of its size.

Primary lessons in this picture:  Information and Understanding

• Prepare your child for the dangers of playing in and around swimming pools, small and large. (pages 42-45)

  • Before having fun at the pool, children should understand these safety measures.

    • Obey the lifeguard and/or adults (Meow Meow, Page 42 & 44).

    • No running or jumping where the ground is wet. Also, no diving into swimming pools. (Rico, page 43 & 44).

    • Children that are too young to swim should wear swim floaties (Jesse, page 42 & 45).

    • Play responsibly (Bonnie Sue, page 43 & 45).

    • Always wear sunblock when out in the sun (mystery person, page 42 & 45).

Plans of Action and Reaction:  Child and parent/guardian working together:

• Develop standard operating procedures and plans of action that both children and adults can learn and follow.

  • Issue: Obey the lifeguard and/or adults (Meow Meow, Page 42 & 44).

    • Action:

      • Building on prior lessons of authority, continue to press upon your children the importance of listening to adults and following their instruction.

  • Issue: No running or jumping where the ground is wet. Also, no diving into swimming pools. (Rico, page 43 & 44).

    • Action:

      • Head injuries are common when children run on wet surfaces, including both cement and grass.

      • Make it a rule not to run and explain how slippery it can be.

      • Also, jumping in or diving into shallow pools can cause spinal injury. Although this is less likely to happen to very young children, it has occurred in kiddie pools with very little water in them, resulting in less of a buffer from the hard surface if a child slips and falls.

      • Issue: Children that are too young to swim should wear swim floaties (Jesse, page 42 & 45).

    • Action:

      • Drowning can occur in water that is ankle deep if a child falls and lands face down. Adults should always supervise water activity.

      • If you allow children in any pool that is deep enough to cover their ankles, floaties should be worn. Good habits can be life savers!

  • Issue: Play responsibly (Bonnie Sue, page 43 & 45).

    • Action:

      • Pool time is absolutely fun time, but please follow Bonnie Sue’s lead and play responsibly.

      • Have rules such as not hitting each other in the face with blow up beach balls.

      • Use the buddy system when possible to ensure safety.

  • Issue: Always wear sunblock when out in the sun (mystery person, page 42 & 45).

    • Action:

      • Get children excited about sunblock.  Pretend it is a rub on super shield from the sun (it kind of is…)

Supplemental Activities:

• Before putting water in the kiddie pool, try filling it with pillows inside and practicing all these actions. Take turns being the lifeguard.

Conclusion:

When you and your child have worked your way through this picture and then repeated it several times in a fun and communicative manner, you and your child will be fully prepared for the child’s eventual fun times in and around the water.  Growing up in Arkansas, I learned to swim at a very young age.  I still remember many of those times now, but safety was always a top priority for all of us.  I hope that your children will also have many safe and fun memories as well.