At the Fischbeker Höfe kindergarten in Hamburg, children aged three to six are introduced to water in a playful manner. The goal is to reduce fears and teach swimming at an early age. The German Lifesaving Society has classified the increasing number of non-swimmers among elementary school children as alarming.
In cooperation with the swimming pool operator Bäderland, the kindergarten staff are trained as swimming guides. This training aims to enhance the children’s water familiarization. The close bond with educator Miriam Boedeker and the sense of group help the children overcome their fears and become more confident.
To make more children safe swimmers, government funding programs like “Germany Learns to Swim” are being launched. These programs aim to support low-income families and facilitate access to swimming courses.
An example from practice shows how water familiarization works: In the kindergarten’s washroom, the children balance over towels before reaching a tub of water. The educator asks the children how rushing water sounds and encourages them to overcome their fears. A boy and a girl make sounds that mimic water, and everyone laughs.
The children splash their hands in the tub, and the educator praises them for their progress. These playful approaches are crucial for introducing children to the element of water and alleviating their fears.
