Games to Motivate Your Child to put Their Face in the Water

Here are some suggestions for games to motivate your child to put their face in the water. You can use these same games when practicing other skills too. Just substitute “face in the water” for “front float” or “back float” etc.

For these activities, you’ll need torpedoes, rings and a treasure chest. You can also create your own games too. Keep it simple.

Don’t over do it. Somewhere between Three and ten attempts at the most. It all depends on the child. Remember to follow their lead and stop when they’ve had enough.

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November 2018 update: I originally wrote this blog post in 2016. In my continued research to find new ways to fix water anxiety, I discovered these activities which are covered in the video. And they happen to be extremely effective for the 2-year-old+ child too. You will see how easy it is to get your kiddo to put his face in the water and even without goggles and a nose clip. The video includes how to use the treasure chest plus a few other persuasive and motivational activities.

Torpedoes

I like to show my students how the torpedoes move swiftly through the water. You’re now going to use them to motivate your child to put his mouth in the water.

Tell him that when he puts his mouth in the water, you’ll give him a torpedo that he can throw himself. Give it to him even if he just puts his mouth in for a split second.

Do it again. This time, challenge your child to keep his mouth in until you count to one (1 second), then he gets another torpedo.

Continue with this until he can keep his mouth in the water for 2 or 3 seconds. Follow the same instructions for putting his nose in the water and finally his whole face.

Rings

Hold the rings behind your back. When he follows your instructions as outlined above, have him guess which color ring that you’re going to pull out from behind your back and then give it to him regardless of the color.

Treasure Chest

There are probably many options for kids’ treasure chests. I use the Melissa & Doug Sunny Patch Undersea Treasure Hunt.

I love it because it comes with six items. Four coins and two gems and it has an opening at the top for the coins like a piggy bank. It’s perfect for what we’re trying to accomplish.

Have your child follow the instructions as outlined in the torpedo game. When he does this, hand him a coin or a gem to put back in the chest. The coins are the best because they get to drop them through the slot.

Turn it into a guessing game. Watch the above video for instructions.

These are simple games and great motivators.  My students love them.

Now That He Can Put His Face in the Water – the Real Fun Begins

When they get comfortable with putting their face in the water, they’ll be able to reach down to the bottom in the shallow end to pick up the objects and then finally dive down for them. When they’re ready for this, start with the rings. They’re easier to grasp.