Produced by CYP Physiotherapy/ EY/ Water Play to Promote motor skills/ 1
(CYP code: 1.20.1)
Date of Issue: August 2024
Review Due: December 2026
If review date has passed, the content will apply until the next version is published
Action songs!
Ideas:
- If You’re Happy and You Know It
- Humpty Dumpty
- Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes
- 3 Little Ducks
- 5 Little Speckled Frogs
- Row, Row, Row Your Boat
- Wheels On The Bus
Choose your child’s favourite songs!
Sitting on pool steps:
- Reach for toys in front and out to side with both hands
- Encourage child to stand up tall
- Leaning forwards, push up through their hands or pull up on your hands or the railing
Walking down steps
Position yourself behind or in front of child:
- Support child at their sides or holding hands
- Child could reach for railing if able
Holding noodle
Position yourself behind or in front of child:
- Support child at their sides or holding hands
- Child could reach for railing if able
- Encourage child to push noodle down into water
Sitting side of pool
Child is sat on edge of pool:
- Child can put their hands on the side for support
- Child can reach for toys here at varying positions
- Support child at their sides to jump in
Pushing both feet off pool
Pushing both feet off pool
Child is facing side of pool with legs bent and feet flat on side, their back on your chest:
- Support child at their thighs
- Encourage child to push off with their feet
Climbing in and out of pool
Child is holding onto side of pool with both hands:
- Encourage child to lean forwards and sideways on to one arm, practice with both arms
- Support child at their hips to lift opposite hip/leg out of water
Noodle in water
Noodle is tucked under child and adult’s arms:
- Encourage child to reach for toys up, in front and out to the side
- Vary height of object
- Child should open hand and grasp toy
- Repeat on both sides
Sitting side of the pool - leg kicks
Child is sitting on side of pool or on step:
- Child can take support beside them or using rail
- Encourage child to kick both legs to make big splashes
On back in the pool - leg kicks
Child’s upper body is resting on adult’s chest:
- Support child at their hips
- Encourage big splashes
- You could move child’s legs in and out to promote lots of hip movement
For further information or support
Visit: children and young people's physio
Social media: @cypphysiofife
Call our parent advice line: Thursdays 10:00-11:00 on 01592 226699
Accessible formats
If you require this information in a community language or alternative format such as Braille, audio, large print, BSL, or Easy Read, please contact the Equality and Human Rights Team at: email: fife.EqualityandHumanRights@nhs.scot or phone 01592 729130. For people with a hearing or verbal impairment you can also contact the team through the NHS Fife SMS text service number on 07805800005.
