Survival swim with smile - Toddlers and preschoolers

My name is Katerina Hamsikova, and I am the founder of Natural Born Swimmers. This CPD course brings together the skills, knowledge, and experiences I have gathered since 2009 through teaching young children how to swim and stay safe in the water.

As a native Czech speaker, English is my second language. While I’ve done my best, there may be some occasional grammatical errors. However, this CPD is not about perfect English—its purpose is to share life-saving water safety skills that I truly believe can protect many young children.

Thank you for being part of this journey, and I hope the knowledge you gain will help create confident and happy little swimmers.

Teaching young children to swim underwater is often the easiest part, but helping them transition to breathing at the surface is a much greater challenge. Many traditional methods focus on the "pop-up breath" technique, where a child swims underwater, lifts their head to inhale, and then continues swimming—often in a classic breaststroke style.

The pop-up breath technique may work for older, stronger swimmers, but for small children, it can create serious risks.

Your experience highlights a critical problem:

Why Pop-Up Breathing is Risky for Small Children

1️⃣ Head Movement Disrupts Body Position – When a child lifts their head, their entire body follows. This shifts them from a horizontal swimming position to a vertical sinking position.

2️⃣ Legs Sink Automatically – Without strong kicking power, the child struggles to keep their body high enough to inhale properly.

3️⃣ Excessive Energy Consumption – Lifting the head repeatedly takes a lot of effort. Small children can manage a few breaths, but they tire quickly and lose the strength needed to stay afloat.

4️⃣ Difficulty Returning to a Horizontal Position – Once in a vertical position, many young swimmers can’t regain their proper body alignment, leaving them vulnerable to sinking.

5️⃣ CO₂ Build-Up & Exhaustion – When a child struggles for air, their oxygen turns into carbon dioxide, and lactic acid builds up in their muscles. Their limbs feel heavy and weak, leading to panic and potential drowning.

6️⃣ Blowing Bubbles Makes It Worse – If they also exhale underwater while trying to resurface, they deplete their oxygen even faster, making it nearly impossible to stay afloat.

A Safer Alternative: Rolling Over to Breathe

Your realization led you to search for a better technique, and the roll-over breathing method is a game-changer for young swimmers!

? Instead of lifting their head for a breath, they roll onto their back, float, and breathe easily before continuing to swim.

✅ Keeps them horizontal (correct body position).
✅ Prevents leg sinking (no wasted energy).
✅ Allows full, relaxed breaths (no struggling).
✅ Reduces fatigue (swimming becomes sustainable).

Surfacing to Breath - Rolling onto Back

Rolling Over to Breathe: The Safest Way for Young Swimmers to Get Air

One of the most essential survival swimming skills for young children is learning how to breathe while swimming. Instead of lifting their heads (which can cause them to sink), the safest and most effective method is rolling over onto the back to breathe. This technique helps maintain a proper body position, prevents exhaustion, and builds confidence in the water.

Why Rolling Over to Breathe is Safer

✔ Maintains a Horizontal Position – The child stays in a flat, floating posture instead of shifting into a vertical sinking position.

✔ Uses Less Energy – Instead of struggling to kick while lifting their head, the child simply rolls onto their back, takes a breath, and then continues swimming.

✔ Prevents Panic & Fatigue – The ability to float and breathe at any time gives children confidence and keeps them from exhausting themselves too quickly.

✔ Works in Any Situation – Whether swimming in a pool, lake, or ocean, this technique ensures children can always get a breath without struggling.

Why This Technique Works

• This is the foundation for all survival swimming.

• It teaches proper body positioning for future strokes like freestyle and backstroke.

• Most importantly, it ensures that if a child ever falls into water, they know how to stay afloat and breathe!

Understanding Water Physics – Buoyancy, Body Position & Momentum

Water is very different from land—our bodies behave in unique ways due to buoyancy, resistance, and momentum. To swim effectively and breathe easily, we must understand how these forces work.

How Water Affects Breathing & Swimming

? Buoyancy – The force that pushes our bodies upward in water. The more relaxed we are, the better we float.
? Body Position – Staying horizontal in the water makes it easier to float and swim. If we go vertical, we start to sink.
? Momentum – Moving forward keeps us afloat, while stopping suddenly can make us sink.

Homework: Feel the Water Physics Yourself!

? Go to a pool and try these exercises to understand how water affects your body:

1️⃣ Dive to the bottom, relax, and don’t move.

• Notice how the water lifts you back to the surface without any effort.

• This shows how buoyancy helps you float naturally.

2️⃣ Dive to the bottom and blow out bubbles.

• Feel what happens—you won’t float up as easily!

• Why? Because when you release air, you lose buoyancy. Holding air in your lungs helps keep you afloat.

3️⃣ Back float while staying relaxed.

• Let your body go loose and feel how easily you stay on top of the water.

• This is why floating is the best survival skill—it requires little energy!

4️⃣ Back float while tightening all your muscles.

• Notice how your body starts sinking when you tense up.

• Staying calm and relaxed makes floating effortless.

Key Takeaways for Swimming & Breathing

✔ Relax & Trust the Water – The water wants to hold you up. Let it!
✔ Keep Air in Your Lungs – Holding a breath makes floating much easier.
✔ Stay Horizontal – A flat body position keeps you from sinking.
✔ Use Momentum – Rolling over or kicking gently keeps you moving and prevents sinking.

Parent and Child: A Bond Beyond Swimming

Teaching your child to swim is not just about mastering swimming skills—it’s about the time spent together, strengthening your bond, and creating lasting memories. In the water, trust, respect, and understanding grow naturally between parent and child.

Through each splash, game, and shared moment, you will learn about each other in a unique way. The swimming skills your child gains are a wonderful bonus, but the true gift is the connection you build together.

Imagine the moment when your child first floats independently on their back, their eyes meeting yours with excitement and pride. Or the first time they dive for a toy, emerging from the water with a huge grin, looking to you for encouragement. These moments of achievement—big and small—create an unbreakable bond.

Many parents find that swimming lessons become a special time of connection, away from daily distractions. The giggles during a game of "Big Monkey, Little Monkey," the hugs after a successful jump, the trust built when they reach for you underwater—all of these experiences make learning to swim an emotional journey as much as a physical one.

One parent shared:
"I started swimming lessons just to teach my son water safety, but what I didn’t expect was how much closer it brought us. The way he looks at me when he tries something new, the way he trusts me in the water—it’s something truly special. Swimming together has given us a bond that goes beyond the pool."

By teaching your child to swim, you are not just giving them a life-saving skill; you are giving them confidence, independence, and the knowledge that they can always look to you for support. And that is the most valuable lesson of all.

Back Floating – The Safer, More Sustainable Option

Back floating is one of the most effective safety techniques for young children. In this position, they can relax their muscles, maintain stability, and breathe effortlessly while floating on the water's surface. Because it requires minimal energy, children can sustain this position for an extended period, increasing their chances of staying safe until help arrives.

Additionally, back floating allows children to call for help more easily without the risk of inhaling water. This makes it an essential survival skill for toddlers and preschoolers.

Treading Water – A Short-Term Solution

Treading water, on the other hand, is a more advanced skill that requires continuous leg kicks and arm movements to keep the head above water. While it helps with orientation and short-term survival, it is physically demanding, especially for young children who may not have the endurance to sustain it for long.

Since toddlers and preschoolers have limited strength, relying on treading water for survival can be risky. Even with proper technique, exhaustion can set in quickly, increasing the danger of sinking.

Home practice is an essential part of your child's water safety skill development. Regular exercises at home will reinforce what they learn in the water, helping them gain confidence and progress faster.

You will find guided home practice activities in the course "Home Practice – Water Safety Skills 2+", designed to make learning fun, effective, and easy to integrate into daily routines.

• The first safety skill you're referring to is often called the "Jump, Turn, Swim, and Climb" exercise. This skill is essential for young swimmers because it teaches them how to respond if they accidentally fall into the water.

  Here's a step-by-step breakdown of the exercise:

  1. Jump into the Water: The child starts by jumping into the water, usually from the side of the pool.

  2. Turn Underwater: After entering the water, the child will turn around to face the pool wall, which is important in case they get disoriented.

  3. Swim Back to the Side: After turning, the child swims back to the pool edge, using a stroke that works best for them (like a backstroke or freestyle).

  4. Climb Out of the Pool: Finally, the child reaches the poolside and climbs out of the water safely, practicing how to get out without assistance.

  This exercise is not only important for building confidence in the water but also for teaching essential safety skills in case of an emergency. Always ensure that it's practiced under supervision, and start in shallow water where the child can stand for additional support.

First Safety Skill - Demonstration

This is an important safety skill where your child learns how to respond if they were to accidentally fall into the pool. By practicing this skill, your child can understand how to safely get to the wall and climb out of the pool.

Steps for the Demonstration:

1️⃣ Child Sits on the Side of the Pool:
✅ Have your child sit on the side of the pool, ensuring they are comfortable and ready to watch the demonstration.

2️⃣ Tell Them to Watch You:
✅ Instruct your child to watch carefully as you demonstrate the skill. This will help them understand the steps involved.

3️⃣ Take a Good Breath:
✅ Take a deep breath before jumping in, so your child can see how you prepare for the submersion. Demonstrate calm, controlled breathing.

4️⃣ Jump Into the Water:
✅ Jump into the water from the side of the pool, making sure to keep the jump safe and controlled. This will show your child how to enter the water.

5️⃣ Turn Towards the Wall Underwater:
✅ After jumping in, turn towards the wall underwater. Make sure your child sees how to orient themselves in the water in case they fall in unexpectedly.

6️⃣ Let the Water Bring You Up to the Surface:
✅ Allow the water to bring you up to the surface naturally. Demonstrate how you can float or rise without panic, reassuring your child that this is a normal part of being in the water.

7️⃣ Reach for the Wall and Hold On:
✅ Once you’re at the surface, reach for the wall and hold on to it. This shows your child how they can grab the side of the pool to stabilize themselves and stay safe.

8️⃣ Climb Out of the Pool:
✅ Climb out of the pool from the side, showing your child how to safely exit the water.

Key Points to Emphasize:

• Calmness is Key: Stay calm throughout the demonstration so your child can see how to handle situations in the water without panic.

• Reassurance: After completing the demonstration, let your child know that they will practice this with your support. Praise their attention during the demonstration.

• Encourage Practice: Let them know they’ll be practicing this important skill so they can feel confident and safe in the water.

Safety Focus:

• The goal is to teach your child how to react if they accidentally fall into the pool and how to get to the side safely. This is an essential water safety skill that can save lives.

By practicing this skill, your child will become more familiar with the idea of submerging and reaching the wall to climb out independently.

First Safety Skill - Practice 1

This is a practice session designed to help your child feel comfortable and confident in the water. The goal is to familiarize them with basic safety actions such as reaching for the wall and climbing out after entering the water.

Steps for Practice 1:

1️⃣ Children Sit on the Side of the Pool:
✅ Have your child sit safely on the edge of the pool, with their feet in the water if they’re comfortable. Make sure they feel secure.

2️⃣ Sing the Song "Humpty Dumpty":
✅ Start by singing the familiar song "Humpty Dumpty" to engage your child and create a relaxed atmosphere. This will help them feel more at ease and make the experience fun.

3️⃣ Parents Gently Bring Children into the Water:
✅ Gently guide your child into the water without submerging them. This allows them to feel the sensation of the water without being overwhelmed. Keep the experience calm and controlled.

4️⃣ Turn the Children Towards the Wall:
✅ Once your child is in the water, turn them towards the wall. This helps them orient themselves and prepares them to reach the wall for safety.

5️⃣ Let Them Reach the Wall and Hold On:
✅ Let your child reach for the wall and encourage them to hold on. This is an important step in helping them feel secure in the water. If needed, you can gently guide their hands to the wall.

6️⃣ Allow Them to Climb Out:
✅ After they’ve held on to the wall for a few moments, allow your child to climb out of the pool. Ensure they do this safely, providing support if necessary.

7️⃣ Praise Them Generously:
✅ Once they’ve successfully climbed out, praise them generously for their effort. Encourage and celebrate their achievement, making them feel proud of their progress.

Key Points to Emphasize:

• Gentle and Gradual Approach: Always start slowly to ensure your child feels safe and supported throughout the process.

• Positive Reinforcement: Use praise and encouragement to help build confidence. Positive experiences in the water will create a foundation for future learning.

• Safety First: Always ensure your child is close to you during practice and that you provide physical support when necessary.

By repeating this practice, your child will learn to associate the water with safety and fun while building the skills needed to confidently move toward the wall and climb out.

First Safety Skill – Practice 2

This exercise helps children get comfortable with being underwater while practicing the essential skill of getting to safety by reaching the pool wall.

Steps to Practice:

1️⃣ Children sit on the side of the pool while parents stand in front of them, creating a sense of security.
2️⃣ Sing the song "Humpty Dumpty" to help your child feel relaxed and engaged.
3️⃣ Gently submerge the child underwater – Parents should be gentle and calm during this process.
4️⃣ Bring them back up to the surface – Ensure they feel safe and comfortable as they resurface.
5️⃣ Turn them toward the wall – Guide them toward the pool edge for safety.
6️⃣ Let them reach the wall and hold on – Allow your child to hold the wall for stability and security.
7️⃣ Allow them to climb out – Help them get out of the pool safely.
8️⃣ Praise them generously – Celebrate their efforts to encourage positive reinforcement.

This practice focuses on safety and confidence, teaching children how to react and move toward the pool's edge in case of an emergency. ??

First Safety Skill – Practice 3

This exercise helps children develop the critical skill of getting to safety by reaching the pool wall after being submerged. It also builds comfort with submersion and water safety.

Steps to Practice:

1️⃣ Children sit on the side of the pool – Create a comfortable starting position for your child.
2️⃣ Parents hold the children in the water – Parents should face the child with their backs toward the wall.
3️⃣ Gently submerge the child underwater – Gently lower the child under the water, ensuring they stay calm.
4️⃣ Turn the child toward the wall – While underwater, turn them so they are facing the wall.
5️⃣ Let them reach the wall and hold on – Allow the child to reach the pool wall and grab on for safety.
6️⃣ Allow them to climb out – Help your child climb out of the pool safely.
7️⃣ Praise them generously – Offer lots of positive reinforcement to encourage confidence and success.

This practice teaches water safety, submersion control, and how to move toward the wall for safety after being submerged. ??

First Safety Skill - Practice 4

This practice focuses on helping children learn to safely enter the water and reach the wall. It encourages them to jump in and practice their ability to turn towards the wall and climb out independently.

Steps for Practice 4:

1️⃣ Children Sit on the Side of the Pool:
✅ Have your child sit safely on the edge of the pool, ensuring they are comfortable and ready for the activity.

2️⃣ Parents Stand Sideways, with One Hand Behind the Children and One in Front:
✅ Position yourself sideways to your child, with one hand behind them (for support) and one hand in front of them (to guide their movement). This helps provide security while still allowing them some independence.

3️⃣ Children Jump into the Water:
✅ Encourage your child to jump into the water. Depending on their confidence level, they can either jump directly or step in. Be ready to support them and guide their movement.

4️⃣ Parents Help Turn the Children and Then Let Go:
✅ After your child jumps in, gently turn them towards the wall, making sure they are oriented in the correct direction. Once they are facing the wall, release your support so they can begin reaching for the wall themselves.

5️⃣ Children Reach the Wall and Hold On:
✅ Allow your child to reach the wall and hold on. This step helps them practice a key safety skill: grabbing onto something stable in the water.

6️⃣ Allow Them to Climb Out:
✅ Once they’ve held onto the wall for a moment, let them climb out of the pool. Make sure they do so safely and with your support if necessary.

7️⃣ Praise Them Generously:
✅ After your child successfully climbs out, praise them generously for their effort. Positive reinforcement will help build their confidence and enjoyment in the water.

Key Points to Emphasize:

• Supportive yet Independent: While you provide safety and guidance, encourage your child to do as much of the movement as possible on their own to build their confidence and skills.

• Encourage Calmness: Help your child stay calm during the jump and the turn, which are new experiences for them. Reassure them that they are safe.

• Celebrating Success: Make sure to celebrate their success by offering praise, so they feel proud of their achievement.

Safety Focus:

This practice reinforces the important skills of entering the water safely, turning towards the wall, and reaching the wall. It’s essential for your child to feel confident in these actions as they contribute to overall water safety.

Common Mistakes

When practicing the first safety skill, ensure the parent stands sideways with one hand behind the child and the other hand in front as the child jumps in independently. This positioning helps the child jump far enough from the wall without going too deep into the pool.

If the child goes underwater, remind them not to kick. Instead, encourage them to let the water bring them back up.

Use this parent side position from practise 5 when the children start independent first safety skill.

First Safety Skill - Practice 5

1️⃣ Children sit on the side of the pool, ready for action.
2️⃣ Parents stand sideways, with one hand behind the child for support and one in front, guiding the jump.
3️⃣ Children jump into the water with a good breath, feeling confident.
4️⃣ They turn towards the wall underwater, staying calm and focused.
5️⃣ Children reach the wall and hold on securely, preparing for the next step.
6️⃣ Allow them to climb out of the pool, reinforcing their independence.
7️⃣ Praise them generously, celebrating their progress and courage in the water!

? This practice reinforces water safety by teaching children how to safely jump in, turn, and reach the wall. It builds confidence in real-life scenarios. ??

First safety skill - Practice 6: Jump and Reach the Wall

1️⃣ Children stand on the side of the pool, ready to jump.
2️⃣ Parents stand sideways with one hand behind the child for support and the other demonstrating how far to jump.
3️⃣ Children jump into the water with a good breath.
4️⃣ They turn towards the wall underwater to start reaching for safety.
5️⃣ Children reach the wall and hold on securely.
6️⃣ Allow them to climb out of the pool.
7️⃣ Add scenarios like:

• “What will you do if you slip and fall into the water?”

• “What will you do if you can’t reach the steps?”

• “How will you get to the side if you’re in deep water?”
  8️⃣ Praise them generously for their effort and bravery!

? This practice combines safety skills with fun, helping your child understand how to act in case of unexpected situations and reinforcing their independence in the water. ??‍♂️

Super First Safety Skill - No Goggles, Dressed in Pyjamas

1️⃣ Children sit on the side of the pool, dressed in their pyjamas (for added realism).
2️⃣ Parents stand sideways, with one hand behind and one hand in front, guiding the child safely.
3️⃣ Children jump into the water without goggles, wearing their pyjamas. The feeling of extra weight and resistance helps them experience what it would be like in an emergency.
4️⃣ They turn towards the wall underwater, calmly orienting themselves.
5️⃣ Children reach the wall and hold on, practicing their grip and focus while in a more challenging situation.
6️⃣ Allow them to climb out, reinforcing their independence in a scenario where they might feel less comfortable.
7️⃣ Praise them generously for completing this super safety skill, showing them how brave they are.

Super First Safety Skill - No Goggles (Additional Scenario)

Many children will master the skills with goggles, but when they are outside, they often don’t have goggles with them. Most accidents happen outdoors while children are playing. It’s important to teach them to swim without goggles so they are accustomed to having water in their eyes.

Present the scenario:

"What are you going to do if you are outside and accidentally fall into the water without goggles?"

• The child jumps into the water and instinctively cleans their eyes instead of swimming back to the side or rolling onto their back.

• The child doesn’t open their eyes and looks around blindly for help.

Gently remind them of the skill and encourage them to open their eyes so they can focus and find a safe way to get back to the wall.

? This scenario teaches children how to stay calm and make safe decisions, even if they're caught in a situation where they don’t have goggles to protect their eyes. ??

Back Floating Introduction

• how to teach back floating step by step = from beginners or children who hates to be on their back

• how to recognise common mistakes and how to correct them

• Back floating is main safety skill for surfacing breathe = rolling over

• toddler or preschooler will be able to back float as long as they wish with no extra effort

• most of my student even those who hated it love back floating

• to teach back floating is challenging but rewarding

• the hardest part is to teach your little swimmers to be relaxed

Demonstration how to back float

• Right back floating body position

• wrong back floating body position

Common mistakes when back floating

• how to recognise them

• how to fix them

Step by step back floating holds

• fully supported, head on the shoulder

• supported one hand holds head other hand holds back, child looks backwards on parent for 5 sec.

• supported by one hand only , just supporting the head

• independent back floating for as long as the child wish

Back Floating - Demonstration

• show them right body position when back floating = chin high up, belly up, relax = no kicking

• when you demonstrate back floating - ask children to watch you if you are floating or sinking to the bottom, let them count up to 5.

Wrong body position

• show them wrong body position when you back floating = chin close to the chest, looking on the toes or sitting position

• when you demonstrate wrong body position - let them watch you again and ask them if you are floating or sinking to the bottom

• start with the right body position, show them your chin high up and then show them what will happen when you bring your chin close to the chest = legs will start sinking and eventually you will sink underwater

• they will see the difference between the right and wrong body position

Head on the Parent’s Shoulder – A Very Secure Hold

This is the first back floating position you will practice with your child. The goal is to establish trust, comfort, and relaxation before progressing to longer floats.

Building Trust from the Start

• The child must feel safe in your arms.

• The parent must remain calm, relaxed, and reassuring.

• Gently stroke your child’s forehead and talk softly to comfort them.

• If the child is resistant to lying on their back, keep it brief—simply count "1, 2" and let them sit up.

• Praise them enthusiastically after each attempt!

At this stage, consistency and positive reinforcement are key. Even if the child only floats for two seconds, they will gradually gain confidence and accept longer floats.

Parent Supports Head and Back – Step 2

Once your child is relaxed and comfortable in the Back Float Position 1 (with their head resting on your shoulder), it’s time to move to the next step.

Transitioning to the Next Position

• Gently move the child’s head from your shoulder and bring it in front of you.

• One hand supports the child’s head, while your other hand supports their back.

  • Make sure the child can feel both of your hands supporting them, which helps them feel secure.

Encouragement and Connection

• Encourage the child to look at you.

• Make sure their chin stays high to keep their body properly aligned.

• Kiss the child’s forehead to reassure them and create a comforting, loving connection.

Counting and Floating

• Count to 5 while the child is floating, allowing them to relax and breathe easily.

• After counting, gently help the child sit up straight and immediately praise them for their effort!

One-Hand Supported Back Float

This step is a gentle progression towards helping your child achieve more independence in back floating, while still providing the reassurance they need.

Preparing the Child for the Change

• Start in the back floating position with the child supported by you, ensuring their chin and belly stay high in the water.

• Explain to the child that you will be releasing one hand from under their back, allowing them to feel the hand briefly before removing it.

• Let them know that although one hand will be removed, you will still continue to support their head to keep them feeling secure.

Reassurance and Transition

• While holding their head gently, release your hand from under their back very slowly and carefully.

• Encourage the child by telling them, "I’m still here, you’re doing great, and I’m still supporting you."

• Gently stroke their forehead to provide comfort and reassurance.

Encouragement and Counting

• As you hold the child’s head, count to 5.

• Encourage the child to look at you while maintaining the position.

• Remind them to keep their chin and belly up to maintain the correct posture.

Building Confidence and Independence

• At this point, the child is only very slightly supported, allowing them to begin feeling more independent in the back float position.

• Once the child has mastered this step, they will be very close to floating independently on their own.

This approach ensures that the child has a clear understanding of what to expect next, making them feel more confident and secure while gradually reducing the support they rely on.

Independent Back Floating - No Support

This is the final step towards the child floating independently in the water. The key is to slowly reduce support, ensuring they feel confident and relaxed throughout the process.

Demonstrating the Technique

1. Start in the Back Floating Position 3:
   Begin by gently supporting the child's head, making sure they are comfortable with their body position. The chin should be high, and the belly should be facing up.

2. Relaxing in the Water:
   Once the child is relaxed in the water, ensure their body is in the correct position, with the chin high and belly facing up. Allow them to feel calm and secure.

3. Releasing the Support:
   After the child is relaxed and positioned correctly, gently release your hand from under their head. Keep the other hand close by to offer comfort or assistance if needed.

4. Counting and Reassurance:
   As the child floats, count up to 5 slowly.
   Encourage them to remain still—no kicking or other movements, just a relaxed floating position.

5. Body Position Check:
   If the child’s body position changes (e.g., their chin drops or their belly sinks), calmly remind them to keep their chin high and belly up.
   Keep movements slow and controlled to help the child stay relaxed and focused.

6. Positive Reinforcement:
   Once the child is floating confidently on their own, congratulate them with positive praise: "Well done! You’re floating independently!"

Things to Keep in Mind

• Encourage Stillness: Make sure the child remains as still as possible. Back floating is about relaxation and trusting the water.

• Gentle Reminders: If the child’s body position shifts, use a calm voice to remind them to keep their chin high and belly up.

• Be Patient: Achieving full independence in back floating takes time. Allow the child to practice at their own pace and build confidence gradually.

Mastering independent back floating is a significant milestone in a child's swimming journey. Once they can do this, they will feel more secure and capable in the water. This skill builds the foundation for future swimming strokes and enhances their water safety.

Back floating and call for help

Once children have learned independent back floating, parents should teach them an essential safety skill—calling for help while floating. In an emergency, children should practice staying calm, floating on their back, and shouting loudly for help so that someone nearby can hear them and assist. This skill can be life-saving in situations where they need to stay afloat and wait for rescue.

There are three wrong body positions:

1. 1.Chin Close to the Chest:

   • Legs will sink down to the bottom, resulting in a vertical position.

   • Correction: Adjust the head position so the chin is high up to the sky.

1. 2.Sitting Position:

1. • Legs will sink, and eventually, the child will sink underwater.

   • Correction: Adjust the body position so the belly is up to the sky.

1. 3.Stiff Body:

1. • All muscles are tight, causing them to feel like stone. This will lead to the child sinking underwater.

   • Correction: Encourage the child to relax as much as possible.

Front Floating

Front floating is a fundamental swimming skill where a person lies face-down in the water while keeping their body relaxed and buoyant. The arms and legs are extended to help maintain balance, and the face can be submerged or lifted slightly for breathing. This technique helps swimmers become comfortable in the water, improves body positioning, and serves as a foundation for learning other swimming strokes. Proper front floating also teaches breath control and water confidence, making it an essential skill for beginners.

Demonstrating Front Floating

1. Explain the Task:
   Tell your child that you're going to demonstrate front floating. Ask him to watch carefully and tell you if you are floating or sinking.

2. Prepare to Float:
   Take a deep breath and begin by relaxing your body.

3. Assume the Floating Position:
   No kicking or movements are required. Simply relax and let the water support your body. Your body should be as still as possible, with your face in the water and legs extended comfortably behind you.

4. Hold the Position:
   Stay in the front floating position and ask your child to count up to 5.

5. Reassure:
   Let him know that floating is natural and the goal is to be still and relaxed.

   
   

Common mistakes - front floating

Make sure that when your child is front floating, they are looking down at the bottom of the pool, not forward. Looking forward can cause a shift in body position from horizontal to vertical, making the legs start to sink, which can lead to difficulty maintaining balance in the water. Keeping the head down helps maintain a proper floating position..

Front Floating with Chin in the Water or Blowing Bubbles

• 1. Explain the Task:
     Explain to the child that you will practice front floating with their hands on your shoulders while you support their hips. The goal is to stay still in the water and learn to relax.

  2. Demonstrate the Position:
     Begin by demonstrating front floating to show the child what the position looks like. Make sure your chin stays in the water, and your body is relaxed.

  3. Support the Child:

     • Child's Hands: Have the child place their hands on your shoulders.

     • Parent's Support: Hold the child by their hips, providing gentle support to help them stay in the floating position.
       The child should feel secure with your hands on their body, knowing you're there to help them float.

  4. No Kicking or Movements:
     Encourage the child to relax completely. There should be no kicking or other movements—the goal is to stay still and allow the water to support the body.

  5. Chin in the Water:
     If the child feels scared or uncertain, you can begin by practicing just placing their chin in the water while still keeping the rest of their body above the surface. This is a great way to build confidence in the water.

  6. Blowing Bubbles Together:
     If the child is comfortable, you can progress to blowing bubbles. Gently encourage them to blow bubbles in the water while staying in the front floating position. Do it together so that the child feels more confident and relaxed while learning. You can also blow bubbles yourself to make the experience more fun and engaging.

  7. Stay in One Spot:
     Make sure you both stay in one spot. The goal is for the child to feel the sensation of floating without the need for movement. This helps them develop the sensation of buoyancy and comfort in the water.

  8. Reassurance and Praise:
     Offer constant reassurance, smile, and praise your child for their effort. If they get nervous, remind them that you’re right there to support them. Celebrate small achievements, like placing their chin in the water or blowing a bubble!

  
  

Supported Front Float with Whole Face Underwater

1. Explain the Task:
   Explain to the child that they will practice front floating with their whole face underwater. Emphasize that it's important to hold their breath while their face is submerged.

2. Demonstrate the Position:
   Demonstrate the front floating position, ensuring that your face is fully submerged while you stay in one spot and maintain relaxed body position.

3. Child's Position:

   • Child’s Hands: Ask the child to place their hands on your shoulders.

   • Parent's Support: The parent will support the child’s hips, providing a safe, secure hold. This gives the child the confidence to focus on floating and submerging their face without worrying about staying afloat.

4. No Kicking or Other Movements:
   Make sure the child understands that the goal is to stay still. There should be no kicking or other movements; the child should focus only on the sensation of floating and holding their breath while underwater.

5. Submerge the Whole Face:
   Gently guide the child to submerge their whole face under the water, reming them to take a good breath, ensuring they are holding their breath while doing so. It’s important to remain calm and relaxed during this part of the exercise.

6. Count the Breath Hold:
   As the child submerges their face, count how long they can hold their breath. Start by counting slowly to 2 or 3 seconds, and gradually increase the count as the child becomes more comfortable.  Well done!"

7. Reassurance and Encouragement:
   Offer reassurance throughout the exercise. If the child feels nervous, let them know it's okay to bring their face out of the water and take a break. Praise them for their efforts after every try.

8. Staying in the Same Spot:
   Keep both the parent and child in the same spot in the water during this exercise. This helps the child focus on the floating and breath-holding without needing to worry about moving or going anywhere.

9. Gradual Progression:
   Gradually work on increasing the time the child can hold their breath while submerged. Start with short intervals and slowly extend them as the child becomes more confident and comfortable in the water.

10. Celebrate and Praise:
    Always celebrate small victories and offer lots of praise for trying. This helps build the child’s confidence and creates positive associations with being underwater.

Supported Front Floating - Child’s Hands on Parent’s Shoulders

1. Explain the Exercise:
   Explain to the child that they will practice front floating with their whole face submerged underwater. Let them know that they’ll be holding their breath during this exercise, which is a great step towards learning to swim.

2. Positioning the Child:

   • The child’s hands should be placed on the parent’s shoulders for support. This helps the child feel secure and maintain balance while floating.

   • The parent will release their support on the child’s hips, allowing the child to float more independently, but still holding to parents shoulders

3. No Kicking or Movements:
   The child should focus on staying still—no kicking or other movements. The goal is to practice floating in one spot with the face fully submerged underwater. Encourage the child to relax and focus on breathing.

4. Submerging the Whole Face:
   Gently guide the child to submerge their whole face underwater. This will help them get accustomed to being fully immersed in water while feeling supported.

5. Count Breath Hold:
   While the child’s face is underwater, the parent counts how long they can hold their breath. At this point they can hold their breath for 5 seconds

6. Reassurance and Encouragement:
   Remind the child that it’s okay to come up for air whenever they need to. Be supportive and offer lots of encouragement, especially when they complete their breath hold.

7. Maintain Stability in One Spot:
   During the exercise, stay in the same spot in the water. This provides stability and helps the child feel more comfortable and secure while floating.

   
   

8. Praise and Celebrate:
   After each attempt, praise the child for trying and celebrate small victories, such as holding their breath for an extra second or staying calm in the water.

Independent Front Floating

1. Positioning the Child:

   • The child’s hands should be placed on the parent’s shoulders for initial support. This gives the child a sense of security while floating.

   • The parent will support the child’s hips to help them stay in position while they are getting used to floating.

2. No Kicking or Movement:

   • The child should focus on staying still in one spot. No kicking or other movements are allowed at this stage—this helps the child focus on maintaining proper body position and breathing while floating.

3. Face Submerged:

   • The child will submerge their whole face underwater. Encourage them to keep their face in the water while they stay relaxed and calm.

4. Releasing the Hands:

   • Once the child is comfortable, they will release their hands from the parent’s shoulders and start to float independently. Ensure that the child feels secure and ready for this next step before moving forward.

5. Counting and Using Fingers:

   • As the child floats independently, the parent should count loudly, providing clear verbal cues. The parent should also use their fingers underwater to demonstrate the passing of time, allowing the child to see how long they can hold their breath and maintain position. Encourage the child to look down at the bottom of the pool to help them keep their body position in a straight, horizontal line (chin and belly up).

6. Breath-Holding and Duration:

   • While floating, the parent should count how long the child can hold their breath. Start with short durations and gradually build up the time. Aiming for a calm and relaxed breath hold will make this step easier.

7. Reassurance and Feedback:

   • If needed, the parent should offer words of encouragement to keep the child calm and confident. Remind the child that they can always come up for air whenever they need it.

8. Praise and Encouragement:

   • After the child has successfully floated independently and held their breath, offer lots of praise for their effort and accomplishment. Celebrate small successes, like holding their breath for a few more seconds or floating more steadily.

   • Goal:

     
     

     This exercise aims to help the child gain independence in floating while also becoming more comfortable with breath control underwater. The parent’s support helps build confidence, and the counting and finger cues help reinforce proper body position and focus. As the child progresses, they will be able to float and breathe independently, building the foundation for further swimming skills.

Breath Hold - Challenge

In this chapter, we focus on the exciting and essential skill of breath holding, which is crucial for developing confidence and comfort in the water. Many children may not realize they are practicing breath hold because we use fun games and activities that feel like play rather than a lesson. The key is to make the experience enjoyable, allowing children to learn naturally.

Breath hold practice can also be incorporated into home routines, giving children the opportunity to practice in a relaxed environment. This chapter provides simple, playful ways to help children build their breath-holding skills.

Breath Hold - Practice 1 - Beginners

Objective:
In this practice, children will begin to develop their breath-holding ability while participating in playful activities. This exercise is designed to ease children into holding their breath and make the process enjoyable.

Location:
It's best to practice this in a small pool where children feel safe and can easily stand up, making them feel more independent and confident. The smaller pool gives them the chance to practice safely with an added layer of security. Additionally, children may recognize this from home practice course 2+ , making it feel familiar and comfortable.

Steps for Breath Hold - Practice 1

1. Preparation:

   • Give every child a cup for the activity. This will be used as part of the fun game where they will pretend to "wash" their body parts in a creative way.

2. Demonstrate the Exercise:

   • Show the children how to hold their breath while performing each of the following steps. It's important for parents and children to follow along and repeat everything you do, as imitation is key at this stage. Encourage them to mimic you and participate actively.

3. Step-by-Step Instructions:

   • Wash Your Legs:

     • Hold the cup as if it’s a washing tool. Demonstrate by "washing" one leg, dipping the cup in the water and splashing it over your leg. While doing so, hold your breath as you perform the action. This simple movement will allow children to practice breath hold without feeling like it's a challenge.

     • Encourage them to do the same and see if they can hold their breath while washing their leg.

   • Wash Your Belly:

     • Now, move on to "washing" your belly. Tilt the cup slightly, splash the water over your belly, and hold your breath. Children will enjoy this fun and silly action, and it allows them to practice holding their breath as they perform this new task.

     • Have the children repeat this and see if they can keep their breath held as they wash their belly.

   • Wash Your Arms:

     • Demonstrate "washing" each arm one by one, again holding your breath while doing so. Encourage the children to follow along, taking a moment to hold their breath as they "wash" each arm.

     • Make it fun by exaggerating the motions and encouraging children to do the same.

   • Wash Your Back:

     • Finally, demonstrate "washing" your back. Splash the water over your back while holding your breath. Children may find this especially fun because it involves a bit of creativity and imagination.

     • Let them imitate you, and remind them to hold their breath as they perform the action.

   • Wash Your Face:

     • Now, demonstrate "washing" your face with your wet hands. Show how to gently wash your face with water and hold your breath while doing it.

     • Encourage the children to do the same, gently washing their faces with water while holding their breath.

   
   

Warm-Up 2 – Small Pool (Intermediate Level)

• This is a more advanced version of Warm-Up 1, helping your child take the next step in learning breath control.

  How to Practice:

  1️⃣ Sit beside your child and give them a cup.
  2️⃣ Wash each part of your body together.
  3️⃣ Introduce gradual face washing:
  ✅ Take a deep breath and wash your face with your hands.
  ✅ Fill 1/4 of the cup and wash your chin.
  ✅ Wash one cheek, then the other.
  ✅ Wash your forehead.
  4️⃣ Final step – Encourage your child to take a good breath and pour a full cup of water over their face.

  This exercise gently builds breath-holding confidence in a fun and supportive way! ??

Big Monkey 1

Sit in front of your child—you are the Big Monkey, and your child is the Little Monkey, copying everything you do!

Start with fun water activities:

? Splashing
? Chin in the water
? One ear in—“Listen to the fish! Did you hear anything underwater?”
? Other ear in
? Blowing bubbles
? Jumping and spinning
? Washing your face with your hands

Show your child how to wash their face by demonstrating it first:
1️⃣ Take a big breath.
2️⃣ Wash your face with your hands

Encouragement is key!

? Praise every small effort—even moving toward the water is progress!
? Each step forward means they are learning and finding their own way to succeed.

• Warm-Up 3 – Small Pool

  This fun exercise helps children build confidence and comfort with water while practicing self-sufficiency in washing their faces.

  How to Practice:

  1️⃣ Continue playing with cups – Children should feel super confident with this exercise by now.
  2️⃣ Wash every part of the body – Encourage them to wash their legs, belly, arms, and back.
  3️⃣ Face Washing:
  ✅ When washing their faces, they should fill the whole cup with water and pour it over their face.
  4️⃣ Game Time!
  ✅ Children wash the parent’s face first.
  ✅ Then, parents wash their own face, and you can take turns!
  5️⃣ Have fun – Make it playful and interactive to keep the experience light and enjoyable.

  This exercise helps with independence, breath control, and feeling comfortable with water on the face! ?

Big Monkey 2 (Intermediate level)

This progression from Big Monkey 1 helps children slowly submerge their entire face underwater with confidence.

How to Practice:

1️⃣ Sit in front of your child – You are the Big Monkey, and they are the Little Monkey, copying everything you do! ?
2️⃣ Start with familiar steps:
✅ Splashing
✅ Chin in the water
✅ One ear, then the other (ask, “Do you hear the fish?”)
✅ Blowing bubbles
✅ Jumping and spinning
3️⃣ Introduce full face submersion:
? Hold hands, take a big breath, and submerge your whole face together.
?‍♂️ Independent attempt – Encourage your child to kneel or stand (with feet touching the bottom) and submerge their face without holding hands.

This step-by-step approach builds trust, confidence, and breath control while making learning fun! ???

Big Monkey 3 (Advanced Version)

This is an advanced version of Big Monkey 2, where the focus is on helping your child submerge their face underwater confidently and gradually move toward independent front floating.

How to Practice:

1️⃣ Start with familiar steps – Begin by splashing, placing the chin in the water, submerging one ear, then the other, blowing bubbles, jumping, and spinning.
2️⃣ Face Submersion – Hold your child’s hands and encourage them to submerge their face underwater while you are still holding hands.
3️⃣ Standing Up – After face submersion, have your child stand up in the water.
4️⃣ Front Float Practice – Have your child take a big breath, submerge their face underwater, and hold the front float position for a few seconds.
5️⃣ Finish the sequence – After floating for a few seconds, have your child stand up again.

This exercise builds confidence, independence, and breath control, helping your child become more comfortable in the water and moving closer to independent swimming! ??

Hold Your Breath – Small Pool

This game helps children practice breath control in a fun and supportive way while building confidence in holding their breath underwater.

How to Practice:

1️⃣ Lie down on the steps in the small pool, creating a comfortable position.
2️⃣ Introduce the game – Tell your child, “Let’s see how long we can hold our breath!”
3️⃣ You go first – Take a deep breath, submerge your face, and hold your breath for about 2 or 3 seconds.
4️⃣ Encourage your child to count – Ask your child to count how long you can hold your breath.
5️⃣ Now it’s their turn – Your child takes a big breath, and you count how long they can hold their breath.
6️⃣ Repeat – Keep taking turns and have fun with it!

This playful game encourages breath holding in a relaxed, stress-free environment, making it easier for your child to develop confidence in the water. ??

Hide and Seek – Small Pool

This fun game builds confidence and underwater exploration skills while encouraging your child to search for the hidden rings.

How to Practice:

1️⃣ Turn away and close your eyes – The child should not peek while you hide the rings.
2️⃣ Hide the diving rings – While hiding the rings, tell your child, “Don’t peek, I can see you!” This adds a playful element and gets them excited.
3️⃣ Call them – Once the rings are hidden, say, “Little dolphin (or little mermaid), I lost all my rings! Would you be so kind and help me find them?”
4️⃣ Encourage the child to find the rings – Let them dive or reach under the water to find the rings and bring them back to you.

This game helps develop underwater exploration, breath control, and focus, all while having fun in the water! ???

Introduction

Little swimmers can independently front float and back float for 5 to 10 seconds with no support.

• 
  

  • Skills:

    • Front floating rolling over to back floating.

    • Back floating rolling over to front floating.

  • Common Mistakes:

    • Front floating with kicking when rolling over to back floating.

    • Failing to relax and breathe while back floating.

  • Test:

    • The child swims the length of the pool independently with the swim instructor in the water, and then swims the width of the pool without the swim instructor in the water, walking along the side.

• Demonstrate rolling over from front floating to back floating, and vice versa.

  
  

  • Roll slowly and without kicking.

  • It is important to teach toddlers and preschoolers to roll over very slowly.

  • When children roll over too fast, they may sink underwater.

  • If they roll too fast and sink underwater, ask them why they think they sank and remind them to roll over slowly.

Rolling Over 1

This exercise helps your child learn how to roll from a front float to a back float with gentle support and proper positioning. It also encourages breath control and comfort while transitioning between positions.

Steps to Practice:

1️⃣ Start with Front Float:
✅ Have your child take a good breath and begin in a front float position.
✅ Count up to 5 seconds while they float on their belly.

2️⃣ Support the Roll:
✅ Place one hand on your child’s chest and the other hand on their back.
✅ Gently guide them as you roll them over onto their back. Keep the motion smooth and gradual.

3️⃣ Check Body Position:
✅ Once your child is on their back, check their body position.
✅ Remind them to keep their chin high up to the sky and their belly up for a correct back float position.

4️⃣ Reassure if Necessary:
✅ If your child gets water in their nose during the roll, reassure them that it’s okay.
✅ Teach them to blow out through their nose to clear the water and avoid discomfort.

This exercise builds confidence in transitioning between floating positions and helps your child become more comfortable with breathing techniques and water safety. ??

• demonstrate rolling over from front floating to back floating, vice versa

• slowly, no kicking

• It is important that you will teach the toddlers and preschoolers to roll over very slowly

• when children rolling over too fast they would sank underwater

• if they would roll to fast and sank underwater, ask them why they think they sank and remind them to roll over slowly

• Rolling Over 2

  The child begins in a back floating position.

  1️⃣ Back float for 5 seconds—chin up, belly up, feeling relaxed.
  2️⃣ Take a good breath before rolling over.
  3️⃣ Roll onto the belly smoothly.
  4️⃣ Correct body position—remind the child to look down, not forward, to maintain a horizontal position.

  This exercise helps children transition between floating positions, an essential skill for independent swimming and water safety! ??‍♀️

Rolling Over 3

1️⃣ Take a good breath and start with front floating for 5 seconds.
2️⃣ Tap on the child's head as a signal to roll over.
3️⃣ Gently support the head while they roll onto their back.
4️⃣ Correct their position—chin high, belly up, feeling relaxed.
5️⃣ Count up to 5 seconds and remind them they can breathe normally while on their back.

This step helps build confidence in transitioning between floating positions and reinforces independent breathing control in the water! ??

Independent Swimming

1️⃣ Take a good breath and start with a front float and kicking.
2️⃣ Count up to 5 while maintaining a strong kicking motion.
3️⃣ Roll over onto your back, relax, and float for 5 seconds.
4️⃣ Take another good breath while on your back.
5️⃣ Roll back onto your front and continue floating and kicking.

? This demonstration helps children understand how to manage their breath, transition smoothly between positions, and swim independently with confidence! ?‍♂️?

Independent Swimming – Demonstration

1️⃣ Take a good breath and start with a front float and kicking.
2️⃣ Let the child count up to 5 while maintaining a strong kicking motion.
3️⃣ Roll over onto your back, relax, and float for 5 seconds.
4️⃣ Take another good breath while on your back.
5️⃣ Roll back onto your front and continue floating and kicking.

? This demonstration helps children understand how to manage their breath, transition smoothly between positions, and swim independently with confidence! ?‍♂️?

Survival Swim – Independent Swimming

1️⃣ Take a good breath and start with front floating with a kick.
2️⃣ Count up to 5 while maintaining a strong and steady kick.
3️⃣ Roll over onto your back, float, and relax for 5 seconds.
4️⃣ Take another good breath while on your back.
5️⃣ Roll back onto your front, continue floating with a kick.
6️⃣ Repeat as needed, ensuring a calm and controlled pace.

? Start with short distances and gradually increase. Encourage your child to take their time and remind them that floating on their back helps them regain energy and stay safe in the water! ??‍♀️

• Water Safety Skill – No Goggles

  Many children master swimming skills while wearing goggles, but when they are outside, they often don’t have them.

  Most accidents happen during playtime near water. That’s why it’s important to teach children to swim without goggles, so they become comfortable with water in their eyes and can react safely in unexpected situations.

  Present these scenarios and discuss solutions:

  ❓ What will you do if you are outside and accidentally fall into the water without goggles?

  ❓ What will you do if someone accidentally pushes you into the water?

  ❓ What will you do if you see a toy in the water, try to reach it, and accidentally fall in?

  By practicing without goggles and preparing for real-life situations, children gain confidence and essential survival skills in the water.
  

• Part of Safety Skills Scenario

  The Game is not only a fun way to practice floating and kicking but also serves as an important safety skill scenario. It simulates real-life situations where children might need to react quickly and calmly in the water, especially when trying to reach a toy or item that may be out of their reach. Many water accidents occur when children attempt to grab something from the pool, which is why this game is vital for teaching safety.

  
  

  Safety Focus:

  This game teaches children to recognize the importance of staying safe in the water, especially when they might be tempted to reach for a floating object. It helps prevent accidents by teaching them to stay calm, float to safety, and not panic when reaching for something.

  By incorporating back floating and gentle kicking, the game reinforces the ability to stay afloat and self-rescue in situations where they might otherwise get in trouble. ??

Lifeguard Game - Part of Safety Skills Scenario

The Lifeguard Game is not only a fun way to practice floating and kicking but also serves as an important safety skill scenario. It simulates real-life situations where children might need to react quickly and calmly in the water, especially when trying to reach a toy or item that may be out of their reach. Many water accidents occur when children attempt to grab something from the pool, which is why this game is vital for teaching safety.

Steps to Practice with Safety Focus:

1️⃣ Prepare the Baby Doll as a “Rescue Object”:
✅ Give your child a baby doll or small toy to practice with. This represents an item (like a toy) that your child might try to reach for in the pool.
✅ Emphasize that it’s important to stay calm and float safely to the side of the pool rather than rushing after an object.

2️⃣ Front Float and Kick:
✅ Have your child front float on their belly and practice gentle kicking. This teaches them to stay afloat and control their movements in the water.

3️⃣ Roll Over to Back Float:
✅ Guide your child to roll over onto their back after front floating. Remind them to keep their chin up and belly up, which helps them feel secure and balanced in the water.

4️⃣ Place the Baby Doll on Their Belly:
✅ Place the baby doll on your child’s belly while they are back floating, simulating a situation where they are trying to bring the object back to safety.

5️⃣ Swim Back to the Side with the Doll:
✅ Encourage your child to swim back to the poolside using gentle kicks, making sure they remain calm and collected, focusing on the technique rather than rushing.

6️⃣ Reinforce Safety and Praise the Effort:
✅ After reaching the side of the pool with the doll, praise your child’s success and reinforce that in a real-life situation, it’s best to stay calm and float back to safety rather than attempting to grab objects too far away.
✅ Emphasize the importance of staying close to the edge when possible and calling for help if necessary.

Safety Focus:

This game teaches children to recognize the importance of staying safe in the water, especially when they might be tempted to reach for a floating object. It helps prevent accidents by teaching them to stay calm, float to safety, and not panic when reaching for something.

By incorporating back floating and gentle kicking, the game reinforces the ability to stay afloat and self-rescue in situations where they might otherwise get in trouble. ??

Super First Safety Skill - No Goggles, Dressed in Pyjamas

1️⃣ Children sit on the side of the pool, dressed in their pyjamas (for added realism).
2️⃣ Parents stand sideways, with one hand behind and one hand in front, guiding the child safely.
3️⃣ Children jump into the water without goggles, wearing their pyjamas. The feeling of extra weight and resistance helps them experience what it would be like in an emergency.
4️⃣ They turn towards the wall underwater, calmly orienting themselves.
5️⃣ Children reach the wall and hold on, practicing their grip and focus while in a more challenging situation.
6️⃣ Allow them to climb out, reinforcing their independence in a scenario where they might feel less comfortable.
7️⃣ Praise them generously for completing this super safety skill, showing them how brave they are.

Super First Safety Skill - No Goggles (Additional Scenario)

Many children will master the skills with goggles, but when they are outside, they often don’t have goggles with them. Most accidents happen outdoors while children are playing. It’s important to teach them to swim without goggles so they are accustomed to having water in their eyes.

Present the scenario:

"What are you going to do if you are outside and accidentally fall into the water without goggles?"

• The child jumps into the water and instinctively cleans their eyes instead of swimming back to the side or rolling onto their back.

• The child doesn’t open their eyes and looks around blindly for help.

Gently remind them of the skill and encourage them to open their eyes so they can focus and find a safe way to get back to the wall.

? This scenario teaches children how to stay calm and make safe decisions, even if they're caught in a situation where they don’t have goggles to protect their eyes. ??