The Importance of Early Water Exposure for Toddlers
- TJ Carter-Holman
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
So many parents of toddlers find themselves overwhelmed with questions about water exposure. Questions like when should I hop into a pool with my child? Or what can I do prepare my child for their first water experience? These are completely normal questions to have as a parent and research tells us that Introducing toddlers to water early on is crucial for various developmental, safety, and emotional reasons. So let's talk about the benefits of water play, water skills and guided swim lessons for Toddlers.
🔍 Quick Look:
In this article I'll talk about how parents can assist their child's development through imaginative water play, particularly bath time. What my top 3 skills are for introducing toddlers to the water and how parent-tot lessons are so beneficial for early water exposure.
WATER PLAY Develops Cognitive and Sensory Skills
Exposing Toddlers to the water in a playful way stimulates their senses and supports brain development through exploration and problem-solving. Sprinklers, Splash-Pads and Bath Tubs are great tools to assist in early water exposure and positive play time. We know that activities like pouring, splashing, and floating foster curiosity and cognitive growth. So let your Toddler play and explore in the water, even if they aren't submerged in the water (like a pool) they are still learning about the element itself, what it feels like, how it moves and splashes etc.
WATER PLAY Has Social and Emotional Benefits
With many kids, first impressions matter. The same goes for exposing your child to the water. We just learned how water exposure with sprinklers, splash pads and bath time helps to encourage play and familiarize toddlers with water but lets dive a little deeper into the self exploration aspect of water play.
Self exploration of water through splashing, floating, or even simple kicking helps toddlers gain a sense of accomplishment which is a huge benefit for their emotional development.
Early exposure and constant familiarity to water can also help toddlers overcome any initial fear of the water. In turn it will help them boost their self-esteem and gain emotional resilience.
Water exposure helps build autonomy - the ability to make their own decisions. For these little ones, developing autonomy is a key part of growing up. It shows up when they start doing things on their own—like choosing what toy to play with, feeding themselves, or saying “no” because they’re learning to express their own will. Water play often involves free exploration, helping toddlers make choices and learn through trial and error—promoting independence.
Beginning Water Skills Promote Water Safety
Introducing toddlers to water early helps them become comfortable and confident around it. As I mentioned earlier water play reduces fear and assists in cognitive growth but it also lays the foundation for learning essential water survival skills which can significantly reduce the risk of drowning.
There is so much information on starting beginning water skills with Toddlers but my top 3 recommendations to begin skills for safety are teaching and encouraging your child to 1. Kick 2. Blow Bubbles and 3. Back Float -- all three skills are great skills to start on in the bath tub during bath time play too!
Helpful Safety First Tips:
Always supervise toddlers around water - even in the tub.
When exposing your child to a larger body of water, like a pool, avoid inflatable floaties that give a false sense of security—opt for Coast Guard-approved life jackets if needed.
Teach water safety rules early (“feet first,” “wait for grown-ups,” etc.) - this is so important! Talk to your toddlers about rules of open water and pools.
Bonus - Take Advantage of 🛁 Bathtub Play
When I first started teaching swimming lessons (over 20 years ago) the facility had a bath time skill sheet for parents to work on water skills in a playful and safe environment. Although that was many years ago, the principal hasn't changed regarding the development of water skills through water play. If you're not sure how to get started here is some information on how to allow your Toddler to explore the water during bath time through play and exploration. I also recommend playing some fun music during bath time, as singing and water play compliment each other well. If you like these Bath time tips, visit our post on Bath Time Joy
🛁 How To Do Bathtub Play
What: Let toddlers play with cups, sponges, rubber ducks, or water-safe toys in the bathtub.
Benefits: Encourages sensory play, hand-eye coordination, and creativity.
Safety Tip: Always supervise closely—never leave a child alone, even for a moment.
This article was written by the founder of Sea Love Swim. Sea Love Swim is a mobile swim school dedicated to helping children and adults build water confidence through personalized, patient instruction. With certified instructors who come to your home or offer lessons at select partner pools, we make learning to swim convenient, fun, and safe. Whether it’s your child’s first splash or you're brushing up on swim skills, our heart-centered approach brings joy and skill together—one stroke at a time.
