Safety precautions in swimming for Primary 1

Class: Primary 1
Term: Second Term
Week: 4
Age: 6 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Physical & Health Education
Curriculum Theme: Aquatic Sports
Focal competence: Practising safe water entry, floating and kicking to gain confidence and stay safe in water
Key competencies/values: Respect; Tolerance
Skills:

• Gaining water confidence

Previous Lesson: Swimming, Benefits, Equipment and Water Safety
Topic: Swimming: Safety Precautions
Subject Matter: Safety precautions in swimming

Specific Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

Cognitive Domain

• Explain safety precautions in swimming.

Psychomotor Domain

• Identify common swimming safety equipment and safe practices.

Affective Domain

• State the importance of obeying water safety rules.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

• 2025 Revised 9 Years Basic Education Curriculum
• Relevant State Unified Scheme of Work
• Physical and Health Education for Primary Schools, Book 1
• The HeadTeacher Scheme of work

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

• Swimming trunks
• Pictures of a pool or a safe dry-land simulation area
• Float or kick-board
• Pictures or posters showing water safety rules (e.g., “No running”, “Always with an adult”)
• Pictures of children swimming safely with adult supervision

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson is important for Primary 1 pupils as it introduces them to fundamental safety practices around water. Understanding these precautions helps prevent accidents and builds confidence, ensuring they can enjoy aquatic activities safely under supervision. It lays a foundation for responsible behaviour near pools and other water bodies.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils are familiar with basic rules for playing safely in different environments and understand the concept of following instructions from adults.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Swimming: Safety Precautions

Importance of Adult Supervision

When you are near water, like a swimming pool or a river, an adult must always be with you. They watch over you to make sure you are safe. Never go near water alone.

Entering Safe Designated Water

You should only swim in places that adults say are safe. These places are usually marked for swimming. Do not swim in dirty water or places where you are not allowed.

Avoiding Rough Play in Water

Playing roughly in or near water can be dangerous. Do not push other children into the water. Do not run around the pool area because you might slip and fall.

1. Do not push others.
2. Do not run near the pool.
3. Do not splash water into people’s faces.

Using Flotation Aids

If you are learning to swim or are not a strong swimmer, you can use special items to help you float. These are called flotation aids. Examples include:

1. Floats (like swimming rings)
2. Kick-boards
3. Armbands

An adult will help you choose the right one.

Obeying Water Safety Rules

Every swimming pool or water area has rules to keep everyone safe. It is very important to listen to and obey these rules. Rules are there to protect you and your friends.

1. Listen to the lifeguard or adult in charge.
2. Do not dive into shallow water.
3. Walk, do not run.

What to Do in an Emergency

If you see someone in trouble in the water, do not jump in to save them. You are too small and it can be very dangerous for you too. The safest thing to do is to:

1. Shout for an adult immediately.
2. Point to the person in trouble.
3. Stay calm and wait for the adult to help.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Demonstration, Question and Answer, Explanation, Observation, Practical Activity (dry-land simulation)

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Storytelling/Questioning

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and asks them if they like to play near water or swim. The teacher then tells a short, simple story about why it is important to be careful near water.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to the teacher’s questions and listen to the story.

Learning Point: Importance of water safety

Step 2: Explanation of Adult Supervision

Time: 6 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Visual Aid

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains that an adult must always be present when children are near water. The teacher shows pictures of children swimming with an adult watching them. “Who must always be with you when you are near water?”

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, observe the pictures, and answer the question: “An adult.”

Learning Point: Need for adult supervision

Step 3: Discussing Safe Water Entry

Time: 6 minutes

Teaching Skill: Discussion/Identification

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher discusses the importance of only entering water that an adult has said is safe. The teacher shows pictures of safe designated swimming areas versus unsafe areas (e.g., dirty ponds). “Where should we swim?”

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils identify safe water areas from the pictures and state where they should swim.

Learning Point: Safe water entry points

Step 4: Emphasising No Rough Play

Time: 6 minutes

Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Role-play

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains why rough play (like pushing or running) near water is dangerous. The teacher can demonstrate (without water) what running or pushing looks like and the potential for falling. “Why should we not run near the pool?”

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the demonstration and state reasons for avoiding rough play.

Learning Point: Dangers of rough play

Step 5: Importance of Flotation Aids

Time: 6 minutes

Teaching Skill: Display/Explanation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher displays a float or kick-board and explains that these are “flotation aids” that help people stay on top of the water, especially if they are learning to swim. “What are these for?”

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils identify the flotation aids and explain their use.

Learning Point: Using flotation aids

Step 6: Obeying Rules and Emergency Response

Time: 6 minutes

Teaching Skill: Question and Answer/Scenario

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher discusses common pool rules (e.g., “No running,” “Listen to the lifeguard”) and explains what to do if someone is in difficulty (shout for an adult, do not jump in). The teacher presents a simple scenario and asks pupils what they would do.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils state pool rules and explain what they would do in an emergency.

Learning Point: Obeying rules, emergency action

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

1. Who must always be with you when you are near water?
2. Name one place that is safe for swimming.
3. What should you not do near the swimming pool?
4. What should you do if you see someone in trouble in the water?

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Understanding swimming safety

Step 8: Note-Taking

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Writing

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils to copy the essential Board Summary notes on swimming safety precautions into their notebooks.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils copy the notes carefully into their notebooks.

Learning Point: Recording safety precautions

Step 9: Conclusion

Time: 1 minute

Teaching Skill: Summarisation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher briefly reminds pupils about the importance of being safe around water and always listening to adults. The teacher praises them for their participation.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and acknowledge the summary.

Learning Point: Reinforcing safety message

Continuous Assessment/Further Study

Type: Homework

Instruction: Draw a picture showing one way to be safe when you are near water. For example, draw yourself with an adult by the pool, or using a float.

1. Draw yourself with an adult near water.
2. Draw yourself using a swimming float.
3. Draw a sign that says “No Running” near a pool.

Lesson Keywords

• Swim – To move through water using your body.
• Safety – Being protected from danger or harm.
• Precautions – Actions taken to prevent something bad from happening.
• Supervision – Being watched over by an adult.
• Float – To stay on top of the water.
• Rules – Instructions that tell you what you must or must not do.

Differentiation

For weaker learners: Provide simplified pictures and use gestures to explain concepts. Allow them to answer questions by pointing or giving one-word answers. Focus on the most important rule: “Always with an adult.”

For faster learners: Encourage them to explain why certain rules are important. Ask them to share other safety tips they know or have heard about water safety.

Suggested Lesson Videos

For further visual learning on swimming safety, teachers can search on YouTube for: primary 1 swimming safety for kids nigeria

Teacher Guide for Using This Lesson Plan

Before the lesson, gather all instructional materials, especially pictures of safe and unsafe water activities, and any real swimming safety equipment like a float or kick-board. Ensure the dry-land simulation area is clear and safe for demonstrating movements. Begin by engaging pupils with a story or personal experience related to water to capture their attention. Guide them through each safety precaution, using clear, simple language and visual aids. Encourage active participation through questions and simple role-play (e.g., demonstrating ‘no running’). Emphasise that the Board Summary should be copied during Step 8. Continuously check for understanding by asking direct questions and observing their responses. For pupils who struggle, provide individual attention and repeat key safety messages. For advanced learners, challenge them to think critically about the consequences of not following rules. Reinforce the main message: “Safety first when near water.”