Who is this guide for?
This guide is for parents, swimming teachers, and anyone who supports young children in learning to swim – especially those who want to help a child gently unlearn dog paddle arms during breaststroke.
If you’ve noticed that your child lifts their arms out of the water and paddles like a dog after breathing, this guide offers a playful, story-based way to help them develop smoother, more coordinated strokes – all without pressure or correction, and with lots of imagination instead.
Many young children, after taking a breath during breaststroke, instinctively switch to dog paddle arm movements. Instead of gliding their arms forward together underwater in a calm and coordinated way, they lift their elbows, paddle quickly at the surface, and disrupt their stroke rhythm.
This behavior often comes from anxiety, a lack of body awareness, or simply from copying others. It not only hinders progress in learning breaststroke but also leads to faster fatigue and less confidence in the water.
With a Tail
“Lily the Little Mermaid’s Adventure”
Imagine you’re Lily, a little mermaid who loves the water but is still learning how to swim like the graceful sea queens of the deep ocean…
One day, her wise sea teacher, Starry the Starfish, swam over and said:
“Dear Lily, if you want to reach the Magical Bubble Cave, you can’t splash like the tiny baby fish. The cave only opens for those who swim gently and gracefully – like the grown-up mermaids do!”
“Listen closely! Your hands should start together like two sleepy seashells, stretched out in front of you, as if you’re reaching out to hug a dolphin. Then, slowly open your arms wide, like drawing a big sunflower in the water, and bring them back to your chest – like this!”
“Don’t rush! The bubble cave only stays open if you swim calmly and slowly, because the magic bubbles are scared of splashes and will disappear.”
And guess what?
If Lily swims without doggy paddle splashing, using her quiet mermaid arms, she might see sparkling bubble stars under the water – they only appear for swimmers who move like the sea whispers.
With Games
1. Princess Arms Game
Imaginative role play:
“You’re a princess now, swimming gracefully underwater as if heading to an underwater ball. Your arms don’t splash around – they glide forward together and sweep out to the sides like a dance move.”
Tip: Practice in front of a mirror – palms together, stretch forward, then circle back slowly and symmetrically. Praise her at the end: “Just like a real mermaid!”
2. Turtle Challenge
Say to her:
“Now you’re a turtle! Turtle arms don’t flap around – they pull slowly and strongly underwater. If you splash too much, the turtle gets tired!”
Tip: Use a small turtle figure she can hold in her hands or balance on her head – it stays in place only if she stays calm and avoids flailing.
3. Bubble & Star Race
Goal: Only take a breath after completing one full, smooth arm movement.
Motto: “Bubble – Pull – Breathe – Star Arms!”
This gives her rhythm and breaks the reflex of switching to doggy paddle right after breathing.
Bonus: Underwater Baby Rescue Mission
Give her a waterproof doll or toy that she can “rescue” – but only if she swims to it with quiet, wide breaststroke arms. A peaceful approach makes the mission a success!