It's incredibly important that every child learns how to swim and knows the importance of being safe in or around the water.
But I also know how scared and overwhelmed some children can be when it comes to entering the pool or participating in swim lessons.
My oldest son, for instance, had major anxiety around swimming when he was little. That's why we didn't start lessons until he was a bit older, but, once he was ready, he quickly flew through all of the levels and became super comfortable in the water.
Now, there are lots of different ways you can go about getting your child comfortable in the water, including using visual supports such as social stories. For example, you can use these free social stories about swimming, water safety, and swimming lessons to help explain pool rules, what to expect during lessons, and so much more. So let's take a closer look at what's available out there.
Free Social Stories About Swimming, Swimming Lessons, & Water Safety
Have you been looking for a social story about going swimming or a social story about swimming lessons? Then look no further than these free printable swimming social stories. Some require you to have a Teachers Pay Teachers account (which is free!) before you can download them.
I've rounded up some options for you to explore. That way you can find the best swimming related social story for yourself or your child. Or you can simply use ideas from different stories below to write your own custom story (free social story templates here to help).
Please note that just because a social story is listed here does not mean I endorse its content. After all, many social stories tend to be poorly written and/or teach autistic masking. Besides, I haven't read all of these stories word for word myself. So please read through the stories carefully before using them.
Also, be sure to check your local swimming pools and aquatic centers in case they have premade stories for you to download. Sometimes they do!
1. Swim Lessons Social Story from Inclusion Inspiration on TPT - This story is about swim lessons and includes clipart to accompany the text. It goes over common pool rules.
2. Going to Swim Lessons Social Story from Swim and Scouts on TPT - Need help preparing for swim lessons? Try this story that features both clipart and photos.
3. Swimming Lessons are Fun Social Story from Swim and Scouts on TPT - Starting swim lessons? This story might be what you need. It includes color photos.
4. I Can Go to a Swimming Pool from Coquitlam - While this story is specific to the city of Coquitlam (in British Columbia), it could still be a good story to use with your child. It uses lots of photos throughout.
5. Swimming Social Story from Pathways Health Centre for Children - Here's another story for a specific aquatic centre (located in Sarnia, Ontario). It uses simple text and full color photos. You can find the story in the what to expect section of the page.
6. Various Swimming Social Stories from Access Ability Australia - There are a number of social stories here for various pools throughout Australia, including:
- Mill Park Leisure Casual Swim Social Story (two versions included)
- Mill Park Leisure Swim Lesson Social Story (two versions included)
7. Swimming is Fun Social Story from ilovelulabelly on TPT - There are lots of colorful photos in this story about swimming.
8. At the Public Swimming Pool Social Story from Social Stories: Power Tool for Autism - This story is primarily text based. Actually, it's one giant paragraph! It includes only one photo.
9. Backyard Swimming Pool Social Story from Social Stories: Power Tool for Autism - Here is a story about swimming in a backyard pool. It is primarily text based, but does include two photos.
10. My Class is Going on a Swimming Trip Social Story from Social Stories: Power Tool for Autism - Much like the title suggests, this story focuses on a school field trip to the local pool. It's mostly text based, but does include one clipart image and one photo.
11. Swim Lesson Social Story from Morgan Sweeney on TPT - Geared towards a child who might be hesitant about starting swim lessons, this social story is one page and has one clipart image.
12. Social Story for Going to the Swimming Pool from Sam Livermore on TPT - A simple one page text based story that explains what to do when you visit a swimming pool.
13. Water Safety Social Story from Alice's Wonderland on TPT - I can't see much about this particular social story, but it focuses on the topic of water safety, which is incredibly important.
14. Swim Lessons Social Story from Rachel Kern on Boardmaker - This story uses Boardmaker symbols and text. It does reference a specific person who teaches swim lessons out of their home so you might want to use this story as inspiration for writing your own.
15. Swimming Lessons Social Stories from Sparkle Appeal - This toolkit has a couple of social story options (see pages 6-8). They include colorful icon clipart throughout.
Video Social Stories About Swimming Lessons & Water Safety
Here are some video social stories that talk about swimming lessons and water safety. You can use these in teletherapy sessions, social skills groups, at home, and/or classroom settings. Videos are always a great alternative to printing off a story.
Like the stories above, some of the wording in these videos aren't always great. But I wanted to make sure you had lots of different options for helping your child understand different aspects of staying safe while playing in or around water.
Need a Social Story About Wearing a Life Jacket? Try this Story!
When playing in water or participating in swim lessons, your child might have to wear a life jacket. Go over the importance of wearing one with this lifejacket social story.
Grab your copy of the wearing a life jacket social story
Learning how to swim, understanding water safety, and wearing a life jacket are all great ways to keep your child safe in or near water. Hopefully, these free social stories about swimming and water safety are helpful to you.
