SUPPORTED BUBBLE BREATHING
Introduce safe, playful breath control and water tolerance for children and adolescents with significant respiratory or sensory sensitivities.
How to Perform
- Sit the child on the pool steps or hold them securely in shallow water so that the mouth can easily reach the surface.
- Ask the child to take a gentle breath in through the nose while keeping the face above the water.
- Invite the child to lower the lips to the water and slowly blow bubbles, exhaling in a relaxed, steady stream.
- Encourage lifting the face back up to rest and breathe normally between bubble attempts.
- Repeat short bubble sets, allowing the child to choose how long to exhale and when to pause.
Key Execution Cues
Remember: Use soft, quiet breaths in and long, gentle blows out;
keep shoulders relaxed and allow frequent rests.
Safety & Precautions
Important: Use caution in children with unstable respiratory
disease; avoid prolonged breath-holding or forced exhalation.
Additional Safety Notes: Remain in direct contact, avoid any forced immersion, and stop immediately if coughing, distress, or dizziness appears.
Exercise Modifications
Make it Harder (Progressions)
Gradually increase the time of each bubble blow, or encourage the child to exhale with the nose and mouth closer to the surface.
Make it Easier (Regressions)
Practice blowing air on the water from above without contact, or move further up the steps where the child feels safer.