While most of the children have already had experiences with swimming, it is always a good idea to review safety rules that they should follow. O.K. No diving, unless in deep water and the adult knows it is going on kick boards are to be used as a floatation device, not a toy to play with in the water.
Submersion is often the toughest step for a child to complete.
Demonstrate to children how to blow bubbles in hands and then in water. Relate blowing to blowing out candles on a birthday cake. Children can also pretend that there are fish in the water and when they blow bubbles, they are talking to the fish. When children are comfortable with blowing bubbles, have them work on putting their entire head underwater, by asking them to blow bubbles up to their eyes, eyebrows, forehead, etc., until the child is fully submerged while blowing bubbles. If children complain about getting water up their nose, tell them to try blowing bubbles out of their nose while underwater.