How to Teach a Child to Dive into a Pool

Many children love water. After they learn to swim, the next step is to teach them to dive in to a pool of water. You will know your child is ready when they are comfortable in the water, can swim in the deep end of the pool and is able to jump into the water without holding their nose.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. To get your child used to going into the pool head first, begin with a sitting dive. Have the child sit on the edge of the pool, with water deep enough to dive. Have them hold their arms straight up over their head and place one hand on top of the other one (the palm of the back hand touching the back of the front hand). Have the child then curve forward and look down at the water. They will then roll forward into the water.

2. Get in the pool for the next step. Once the child masters the sitting dive, get them on their knees. Have them kneel on the side of the pool. Make sure their backside is not resting on their feet. Curve the toes to the ground so they can help push off. Have them place their hands on top of each other, the same as the first step. Time to curve forward again and look down at their knees. Push off with their toes and stretch feet to the sky as they enter the water. You may want to place your hand on their tummy to avoid a painful belly flop at this stage. Then again, you may have a child like mine who thinks belly flops are fun!

3. Finally, once that kneeling dive is perfect, have them try the standing position dive. Have your child stand on the side of the pool with their arms up as before. Have them curve their body and look at their toes. When they are ready, the need to push off with the balls of their feet and get those legs in the air.

Tips & Warnings

• Always, always, always make sure the pool is deep enough to dive.
• Teach your child to never dive without an adult present.

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on 4/30/2009 The instructions are clear and concise...5