Touch the bottom

Do this exercise with your child in a shallow children’s pool, about hip- to chest-deep. Begin by having them stretch both arms upward. The goal is to touch the pool bottom with a different body part each time. Announce each step, count to three, and perform it: right hand, left hand, both hands, backside, and as a challenge, the nose. Warn your child about touching their nose to avoid injury. This exercise teaches proper behavior to reach a specific depth in the water. Many children find it challenging to submerge their entire body, and the gradual difficulty provides both success experiences and a rewarding challenge.