What this water confidence skill is
Putting the face in the water can feel like a big deal. This skill breaks it into small pieces: first the lips and mouth, then the nose, then the eyes and finally the whole face. Each piece is your child's choice.
It comes after getting used to splashes and water poured over the head. Blowing bubbles grows alongside it. Next comes putting the whole head under.
See it in action
Learning to Swim as an Adult: How to Blow Bubbles Underwater
Made for adults learning to swim: getting in for the first time, putting the face in the water, then blowing bubbles.
From the AquaMobile YouTube channel
Why it matters
Swimming happens face down.
Floating and most strokes are done with the face in the water. Being at ease here makes them far easier to learn.
No more water up the nose.
Breathing out gently through the nose stops the sting that puts so many beginners off.
Confidence that comes from choosing.
Because your child decides when each part goes in, the confidence they build is their own.
Who it is for
Babies, toddlers and children all work on this. With babies and toddlers it is playful and brief, in the instructor's arms. Think lips in the water, bubbles, a song and lots of smiles. Children learn it through games, like blowing a toy across the water. If you are learning as an adult, you follow the same steps, with a calm explanation of why each one helps.
Part 1 of 2
Starting with mouth and nose
The goal
Your child lowers their mouth into the water and blows bubbles, then lets the nose go in too. They do it because they want to, and come up calm.
Why it matters
This is where your child learns that breathing out keeps water out. It is the first half of putting the whole face in.
What happens in lessons
Chin and lips first.
Your child starts by touching the water with the chin, then the lips, often while blowing a toy along the surface.
Making bubbles.
Your instructor turns breathing out into a game: big bubbles, small bubbles, noisy bubbles.
A hum for the nose.
When the nose goes in, your child hums gently. The hum pushes a little air out, so water stays out of the nose.
Always their choice.
Your instructor invites and encourages, but your child decides when each part goes in.
How you can help between lessons
- Blow bubbles in the bath: lips in the water first, then a hum with the nose in. Stay within arm's reach the whole time.
Common questions
- Why does my child hate getting water up the nose?
- Because it stings, for everyone. The answer is breathing out gently through the nose while it is in the water, often with a hum. Once that becomes automatic, most children stop worrying about it.
- Should my child use a nose clip or goggles?
- Your instructor starts without them, so your child is at ease with water on a bare face. Some children like goggles or a nose clip later, and that is fine. A child who can manage without them will not panic if they slip off.
- My baby cries when their face gets wet. Should we keep going?
- Your instructor stops and goes back to something your baby enjoys. Face play with babies is kept very gentle and short, and a face is never forced in. Many babies warm to it with time and lots of songs.
- I am an adult. Why start with bubbles?
- Because breathing out in the water is the habit behind every swimming breath. Adults who skip it often end up with water up the nose. A little time spent on bubbles saves a lot of coughing later.
