If your child is already having a good time in a bath and is okay with having water dumped over her head during hair washing time, then she might be ready to learn to put her face in. And this is a skill you can do at home. In your bath. And you just make a game out of it. One of my favorite games to play with girls is the mermaid tea party. For this game all you need is a washcloth, tea party items and little figurines – princesses, mermaids, it all works. She’s going to put her face in a washcloth and then she’s going to press her face gently onto the surface of the water. With whatever attempt she makes, reward it right away. Just fly the mermaid ahead of the bottom of the ocean – or the bathtub. There’s two things you want to remember. One to not wear out her efforts. So keep it short and keep it simple. 10 attempts or less. Maybe even 3 to 5 at first. And then the other is not to wear out the toys. The power in this game is the motivation that you get through the novelty and the fun of the items themselves, so keep it just for bath time. And enjoy your time together. If you can practice this in a bath at home, you’ll be way ahead of the game when there comes time for your first formal swim lesson.