Child holds railing as necessary Child walks down stairs

Child sits on stairs with chin touching surface of water, holding ankles (like a frog about to jump) Take a breath, turn head to look down and blow bubbles Turn head back up while chin stays in water (without sitting up), breathe in again at surface Repeat

Have child reach hands down as far as possible while allowing chin to touch the water. Shoulders should stay in the water at all times. Only part that moves is head.

Face in & hold breath Hold knees to chest, tuck in chin (curl up body as if a ball) for 3-5 seconds One at a time

Allow child to push off island and go into ball float with minimal / without assistance.

Face in & blow bubbles Hold knees to chest, tuck in chin (curl up body as if a ball) Blow bubbles as long as possible or until sunk to bottom & push up One at a time Depending on child's buoyancy assistance may be required for child to descend

Give a GENTLE push to help child start to sink. If child is staying afloat, it probably means that they are not blowing bubbles / exhaling properly. Remind child to make a noise (say "oooo", "eeee", or "hum") to blow bubbles.

Hands on top of legs/thighs Kick on front Island to teacher and back, Island to island/stairs

Watch for correct hand placement (hands on top of legs/thighs) to encourage proper body position, arms straight. If using a small dive ring, be sure child is holding it properly - palms to body and arms straight.

Use flippers to strengthen kick.

Child holding triangle board on top of legs Kick on back Teacher support only as necessary

Be sure child is holding triangle board properly - thumbs on bottom and other fingers on top, hands apart / close to outside corners of triangle board (simulating placement of hands on legs), arms straight.

Use flippers to strengthen kick. For more advanced swimmers, hold a small ring instead of a triangle board.

Child's hands on top of legs/thighs Kick on back for target distance No support

Watch for correct hand placement (hands on top of legs/thighs) to encourage proper body position, arms straight. If using a small dive ring, be sure child is holding it properly - palms to body and arms straight.

Use flippers to strengthen kick.

Jump in from edge One at a time

Teacher assists child to dive down underwater Child kicks underwater to target distance One at a time, Island to island/stairs/pool edge

Child holds railing as necessary Child walks up stairs