In addition to the preparatory exercises, some core exercises are required.
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Hold your child in the armpit grip (just like in the core exercise). Maintain eye contact and make a few funny faces and sounds. Occasionally, try a gentle nose boop. You know best what brings joy to your child. Through this playful interaction, the goal is to help your child feel comfortable in the water and even enjoy this new environment.
Hold your child in the armpit grip (just like in the core exercise). After making a few silly faces and if the child reacts positively to a nose boop, you can try bubbling. Blow into the water with your mouth to create bubbles. Start by bubbling near yourself, and in the next step, move closer to the child. Always observe how the child reacts. If they seem to enjoy the bubbling, you can even blow bubbles on the child’s belly. This exercise also focuses on playful interaction in the water, with the main goal being to help the child feel comfortable and happy in the water.
Hold your child in the armpit grip (just like in the core exercise). Make some funny faces and sounds while maintaining eye contact at all times. Occasionally, try a gentle nose boop. You know best what makes your child happy. This playful interaction aims to help the child feel comfortable in the water and even enjoy being in this new environment.
Use a soft swim mat for this exercise. These mats are available in most conventional indoor swimming pools and can usually be borrowed for a short time. Place the mat at the edge of the pool and sit your child on it. Spend a few minutes playing with the child and letting them observe the surroundings while you stand in the water. Try to convey joy and a sense of well-being. Occasionally, you can also splash a little water onto the mat and the child. This exercise helps the child gradually get used to the unfamiliar environment of the indoor pool.
Hold your child against your chest so they can look over your shoulder, supporting the child’s head with your hand. It’s best to carry the child slightly to one side, allowing you to use your other hand to hold the railing. Infants often prefer to be carried on the heart side, as they can feel the heartbeat through skin contact. This grip provides warmth and a sense of security for the child. Slowly descend the steps into the water step by step until the water reaches the child’s chest. This exercise is particularly suitable for children up to 6 months old, who still enjoy close skin contact with their parents.
Make sure not to hold your child too close to the armpits, as this can reduce blood flow to the arms. The grip should sit gently just below the armpits, staying loose and comfortable. Also, regularly check your child’s skin. If it appears significantly paler than usual, it’s a sign to end the swimming session to prevent hypothermia.
