Baby Jump into the Water
Sit your child on the pool edge and stand about one meter away. Encourage them to jump toward you, let them fall into the water first, then catch them with a grip under the shoulders. This is very challenging for children under 2, so don't be discouraged if it doesn't work right away.
Preparatory exercises
Jump from the arm
Two people are needed: one bends their arm to create a seat in front of their body, the other places the toddler on it by the armpits, steps back about a meter and encourages the child to jump. Ideally the child jumps toward a trusted person (mother or father) for extra motivation; the seat person can lean forward slightly so the child can actively lean toward the parent. This is much easier than jumping from the pool edge.
Handover
This exercise is simple to explain. Hold your infant by the armpits and hand them over to another person in the water. Then move a few meters away, return, and take the child back into your arms. Maintain eye contact with your child throughout the exercise. This exercise serves as a preparation for the next exercise, "Jump from the Arm."
Demonstration
For this exercise, place the child on the pool edge. Then sit next to them and let yourself fall into the water. Once you resurface, show visible excitement and joy. Then, encourage your child to do the same. Even better, if another child (such as an older brother or sister) demonstrates the exercise and enjoys it, as toddlers learn best through imitation.
Common mistakes
Wrong distance
Your child may prefer to jump from a shorter distance, but for safety reasons we recommend keeping a gap of about one meter. The ideal distance depends on jumping ability and size: one meter usually works for toddlers; with a three- or four-year-old, increase the distance accordingly.
