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DIY Teach Your Child How to Swim Skill #9: Retrieve an object from the bottom

Skill #9: Retrieve an object from the bottom

Goal: Combine all the skills we’ve learned so far and retrieve an object from the bottom of the pool

Remember to continue practicing Skill #1: Get Your Face Wet,  Skill #2: Blow Bubbles, Skill #3: Front Float, Skill #4: Front Glide with Kicks, Skill #5: Arm Pulls, Skill #6: Rolling Over, Skill #7: Back Float and Skill #8: Back Glide with Kicks every time you go to the pool. Learning how to swim is a lifelong process. You are helping your child foster a healthy relationship with water, which will benefit him positively for the rest of his life.

How to Retrieve an Object From the Bottom of the Pool

Put some colorful rings or toys that sink on the steps or the bottom of the pool. Then hold your child’s hand while he uses the other to pick them up. Show your child how put your face in the water, blow bubbles and reach your arm down to pick up a toy.

Use your arms to pull yourself down to the bottom of the pool, while kicking. Then push off the bottom and kick back up to the surface. Blow bubbles out slowly the whole time.

Tips:

  • Start at the pool steps and gradually go deeper each time, allowing the swimmer to get practice the combination of swimming techniques at a comfortable pace.

  • Use rings or other sink toys to pick up off the bottom of the pool. If you don’t have a toy, tickle each other’s toes.

  • If the water is shallow enough, do bunny hops off the bottom.

  • Push off the bottom and use arms and legs to get back up to the top.

RESOURCES

- Check out the Do-it-Yourself Teach Your Child How to Swim eBook
- Visit the our Learn to Swim Shop
- Download the FREE Safer Swimming Bundle
- Subscribe to our Youtube Channel

How to Teach Retrieving an Object in the Pool