Baby Swimming on the tummy
The child is gently rotated from the underarm grip onto their stomach. The child’s upper body rests on the parent’s forearm, while the free hand is used to support the head. The child is slightly tilted forward using the forearm. From this position, rotate slowly in small circles a few times. This exercise helps the child get accustomed to the belly-down position in the water.
Preparation Exercises
Armpit grip with interrupted eye contact
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.
