Pool games for baby: I’m a little pancake

Playing in the water is great for babies. Not only for their future safety, but just water recognition alone is a vital part of childhood. Getting baby familiar and comfortable in the water can also be very rewarding.

What you need:

• shallow pool, waist deep for mum or dad is fine
• supervising adult

Number of players:
2+

Activity:

Once in the pool, you need to lay your baby's head on your shoulder with their tummy to the roof.

Rest it there and start to walk backwards with your arms outstretched, holding each leg (at knee) in your hands.

Sing as you walk backwards, gently moving baby's legs in a kicking motion:
"I'm a little pancake on my back, I'm a little pancake – nice and flat.
I'm a little pancake on my back, Flip me over and bounce me back."

As you sing "bounce me back", you should hold baby around the waist and lift them gently out of the water, up and down until you reach your original position.

Again, lay baby on your shoulder with their tummy up to the roof and sing:
"I'm a little pancake on my back, I'm a little pancake – nice and flat.
I'm a little pancake on my back, Flip me over and swish me back."

As you sing "swish me back", gently hold baby around the waist and start to sway them side to side in the water until you reach the original position.

Again, lay baby on your shoulder with their tummy up to the roof and sing:
"I'm a little pancake on my back, I'm a little pancake – nice and flat.
I'm a little pancake on my back, Flip me over and dig me back."

As you sing "dig me back", put baby under your arm, facing outwards and hold their hands. Move their hands in a doggy paddle motion. This teaches them slowly to move their arms in a swimming motion.

Look at that, your baby is learning to swim with a smile.

Notes:

• Sing to the tune of I'm a little teapot.