In addition to the preparatory exercises, some core exercises are required.
Use a toy to distract the child during the roll onto their stomach. As mentioned before, the child will not see their mother or father for a brief moment. This exercise shifts the child’s focus from the parent to the toy, helping them remain calm even when they cannot see their parent for a few seconds. However, toys should only be used initially. At some point, the child should be able to roll onto their stomach without any distractions.
From the armpit grip, tilt the child slightly to the side of your weaker hand. Then release your strong hand and position it under the child’s chest, as shown in the left image. Hold the child with your strong hand in a balanced position, allowing you to place your weaker hand under the chest as well. Maintain this grip for a while and walk 3-5 meters backward, keeping eye contact at all times. In this exercise, the child assumes the prone position. However, since eye contact is maintained throughout, the child feels more comfortable. This exercise is generally more suitable for infants under one year old.
The child is held in the armpit grip and gently tilted to one side, then to the other. Gradually, over several attempts, the tilting angle should increase until it reaches 45 degrees. In the core exercise, the child leaves the vertical position in the water, which is a new experience and should be properly prepared for. This exercise helps the baby slowly get accustomed to the inclined position.
Hold your child in the armpit grip and use playful expressions and encouraging words to create a positive experience in the water. In a second step, have another person hold a kickboard or something similar between you and your child to briefly interrupt eye contact. At first, the interruption should last only one or two seconds. Gradually increase the duration of the interruptions over time. These interruptions should not happen consecutively but rather occasionally over several swimming sessions. In the core exercise "Carousel," eye contact between the parent and the child cannot be maintained. Although there is constant physical contact, the child does not see the mother or father for a short period. Since children at this age are still very focused on their parents, this can be a negative experience for them. This preparatory exercise helps the child gradually get used to not seeing their mother or father for a short time.
