5 Skills Your Baby Can Master Before Age 2

It may surprise you to learn that most babies are natural-born water lovers. From the moment they’re born, they already have instincts that make the water feel familiar. This makes the transition to swim class much easier for young swimmers. At Kinder Swimmer, we build on those instincts to teach foundational swim skills that even little ones under two years old can achieve.

The first skill is comfort in the water. Before technique, babies learn to feel safe and happy splashing, floating, and playing alongside mom or dad. From there, we introduce submersion basics, teaching babies how to calmly hold their breath when dipping under the water. It’s a crucial step in developing safety and confidence.

Babies can also start learning back floating, which is one of the most important survival skills. With gentle support, they begin to relax on their backs, discovering that floating keeps them safe and secure. Alongside floating, babies practice kick movements. These little kicks may look playful, but they’re the first step toward real swimming strokes.

Finally, our baby swimmers develop social confidence. Singing songs, splashing with others, and moving through routines in the water helps them feel secure not just in swimming, but in life. Before age two, these five skills create a foundation that will carry them into a lifetime of safe, joyful swimming.