One of the most important aspects of swimming is having proper breath control, which is necessary to safely and effectively swim. Swimming comes with plenty of benefits and Goldfish Swim School provides even more cool benefits when it comes to teaching kids how to swim – including working on breath control from day one.

Read on for 4 Fun Ways to Help Kids Improve Breath Control While Swimming:

1. Bobbing for Apples

Fall is the perfect time to bob for apples during a birthday party, play date, family gathering or just a regular Saturday afternoon – but really, bobbing for apples is fun any time of year! Plus, since kids have to hold their breath when they put their face in the water to bite an apple, they are unwittingly practicing breath control. And when kids have something else to focus on, like snagging the biggest apple, the breath control happens naturally.

2. Blowing Bubbles

While simply standing in the water, have your little goldfish practice blowing bubbles – and then come off the water for a breath of air. Not only does this help kids practice expelling air from the lungs and then refilling lungs with air, but it also aids in getting them used to the rhythm of coming up for air when needed. Practicing blowing bubbles in the water also inspires confidence in their ability to safely get air when needed and not panic. You’ll celebrate when you start seeing those extraordinary results during their swim lessons at Goldfish Swim School!

3. Diving for Rings

Do you remember being a kid and playing at the beach or a neighborhood pool with siblings, friends and cousins and diving for rings, dive sticks or other objects? Kids can spend hours tossing stuff into the water to retrieve it! The best part about this, other than watching them having fun and socializing, is that going underwater helps kids build up their breath control – which sure comes in handy when swimming.

4. Practicing Above Water

Kids love playing games, so make a game out of them holding their breath and they won’t even realize they’re practicing improving their swimming skills! Use a timer to see if your kids can improve on their previous times, or have them compete against each other to see who can hold their breath longer while you’re watching. And, don’t forget to try the other ways to practice swimming skills at home!

Jump in the Water at Goldfish Swim School

Ready to have your kids take their breath control and put it together with swim strokes? Find a Goldfish Swim School location near you (we’re located across the country!) and sign up today. Our instructors use integrity, compassion and trust to teach kids ages 4 months and older how to swim – and we even help kids with special needs learn to swim. Just part of the WOW! customer service you’ll soon experience for yourself.