Joyful Waters: Babies & Toddlers Course Manual
First Splash 6 months - Walking
Aqua Explorers - Walking to 24 Months
This instructor’s guide covers the First Splash (6–15 months) and Aqua Explorers (16–36 months) programs — the foundational Joyful Waters courses for early childhood aquatic education. Built on Montessori principles and trauma-aware methods, this manual helps instructors and researchers understand how to teach with empathy, connection, and developmentally appropriate pacing.
Through detailed lesson plans, child-led progressions, and neuroscience-backed teaching strategies, the manual explains how to create emotionally secure water experiences that build safety, trust, and joy. Each week’s plan includes structured activities for floating, gliding, balance, breath control, and safe water entry/exit, all designed to prevent fear-based conditioning and nurture lifelong water confidence
Joyful Waters Babies and Toddle…
Joyful Waters Babies and Toddle…
.
Purpose for Website Visitors:
This manual is available for:
Peer Reviewers and Researchers — to support data collection and feedback on child-led aquatic education.
Instructors and Early Childhood Educators — to use in classes or pilot programs, following the pre/post survey format to contribute to Joyful Waters research.
Formats:
Free digital edition for review and research participation
Paperback edition available on Amazon for those who prefer a bound, printed copy
Joyful Waters: The Science of Joyful Movement
for Children, Teens, and Adults
This advanced manual explores the scientific framework behind the Joyful Waters philosophy — blending neuroscience, biomechanics, emotional intelligence, and somatic education into a comprehensive system for teaching swimming through safety and connection rather than fear.
It expands on five key pillars — Mind, Body, Breath, Water, and Connection — to show how emotional regulation and sensory awareness directly influence motor learning, confidence, and aquatic performance. Designed for instructors, coaches, and professionals, it bridges theory and practice with structured progressions, lesson templates, and real-world application of evidence-based aquatic science
Joyful Waters The Science of Jo…
Joyful Waters The Science of Jo…
.
Purpose for Website Visitors:
This manual supports ongoing research and invites educators to explore how neuroscience, breathwork, and movement awareness can transform aquatic education. Participants using the manual for study or teaching are encouraged to share observations and outcomes through the Joyful Waters research form.
Formats:
Free digital edition for academic or professional review
Not Yet on Amazon
How These Manuals Support Joyful Waters Research
At varius vel pharetra vel turpis
Both manuals are part of Nicole Fairfield’s national effort to collect qualitative and quantitative data on emotionally safe aquatic education. By reading, implementing, and submitting feedback or pre/post surveys, you’re helping build the evidence base for a new, trauma-aware standard in swimming instruction.
In short:
Read free eBook copies to participate in the research.
Once you've had a chance to review the materials, I would greatly appreciate your feedback through this form:
https://form.jotform.com/250574721514151
Submit your data and reflections to contribute to the growing body of Joyful Waters research.
Help Us Grow the Joyful Waters Movement!
If your child is enrolled in the Joyful Waters program, we’d love your help!
Before your first class: Please complete the
After your final class: Please complete the
Your feedback helps us measure progress, improve our curriculum, and continue building emotionally safe, research-based swim education for every child. Thank you for being part of the Joyful Waters family!