Breathing Out Underwater
The first exercise that children must master in almost all swim training systems is bubble diving. The child takes a deep breath and submerges completely underwater for at least 5 seconds. During the dive, they first open their eyes. Then, all the air is exhaled underwater through the mouth.
Preparatory exercises
Blowing Ping Pong Balls
Place a ping pong ball in the water in front of the child, who moves it across the pool by blowing on it. They quickly realize the mouth must stay close to the ball and the water surface — bringing the head to the water is a big challenge for many children. After a few rounds, increase the difficulty by blowing into the water to create bubbles.
Treasure Hunt
Children search for diving rings in the kids' pool as part of a pirate treasure hunt. The pool depth allows for a gradual challenge: the first rings are easy to reach, later ones require bending down, and the final rings encourage brief submersion. This playful approach keeps children motivated to collect the entire "gold" treasure while naturally getting comfortable with putting their faces in the water.
Recognizing Colors
In this advanced exercise, children learn to open their eyes underwater. Use diving rings or other visible objects. Submerge together with your child, briefly show the objects, and then hide them again before resurfacing. After coming up, ask your child what they saw underwater. Make sure the chosen object is easily visible—bright colors work better than fine details like fingers.
Sea monster
Use a gymnastics hoop or a pool noodle: the child dives under it and resurfaces with a jump, with the focus on the diving. At first, allow the child to lift the hoop slightly with their arms for an initial sense of success; with repeated attempts, hold it more firmly to encourage fully submerging the face.
Raindance
Splash water into the air together with your child and let it fall like an uneven shower. This simple exercise can help water-shy children gradually get used to water. Repeat it over multiple swimming sessions. Over time, the exercise may even turn into a fun water battle between parent and child as the child gains confidence and actively participates.
Common mistakes
Forcing
We understand how frustrating it can be when children refuse to put their head underwater. However, we strongly advise against forcing them. Hide your frustration and instead focus on fostering a sense of joy and fun in the water. Pushing too hard during these early stages can lead to a long-term aversion to water.
