Last night I took CootieGirl to the pool after I got home from work. We took our regular gear – goggles, floaties, a couple toys. Our new game has been for me to put on the goggles and swim under her, surfacing on the other side. I did this a few times last night and also “dove” for her toys that sank to the bottom of the pool. Then CootieGirl announced it was her turn. To go under the water to fetch the sunken toys.
Surprised, we moved to the shallow end of the pool (where she can touch the bottom and stand with her head above water). We took off her arm floaties and let a toy sink to the bottom of the pool. I instructed her to take in a deep breath and hold it in, then grabbed the back of her head and plunged her down into the water, where she scooped up the toy in her hand. I then let go of the back of her head and let her float back up to the surface where she proudly displayed the toy and cheered in victory. She was ecstatic and immediately tossed the toy back into the pool and let it sink.
“Again! Let’s do that again!” Once again I instructed her to take in a deep breath and hold it on three, and then pushed her under the water. Moments later she surfaced, toy in hand again. More cheers erupted from her. I saw a few parents watching us, wondering just what I was doing to my daughter. I’m sure it looked strange even though she wasn’t upset when I did it.
We did that over a dozen times and each time she came up wanting to do it again, even when she missed grabbing the toy. I think at some point her hair was getting in her face and not letting her see clearly. So next time we’ll make sure her hair is back in a braid so that she can see more clearly under the water. But we’re one step closer to her swimming on her own without floaties. Having her go under the water voluntarily has been a HUGE obstacle to her, and now that she doesn’t mind it, I know swimming can’t be too far behind.