EP34: Into the Water Without Floaties

5 Key Takeaways from the Interview

The Role of Parents: Parents are the most important companions in the water. They provide children with a sense of safety and guide them as they explore, rather than leaving them solely to a swimming instructor.

No Pressure, No Comparison: The Rochenkinder concept rejects performance-oriented teaching and the focus on swimming badges like the Seepferdchen. Such badges often test only minimal skills and push children to take unprepared actions.

No Floatation Devices: Floaties create a false sense of security and prevent children from developing a realistic understanding of their body and the water.

Natural Learning: Children don’t need detailed instructions. They develop their swimming abilities intuitively, similar to how they learn to crawl or walk—through exploration and personal experiences.

Joy Over Fear: The concept emphasizes that children develop a love for swimming through patience, trust, and regular exposure to water, instead of experiencing fear or pressure.

https://rochenkinder.de

The Revolution of Learning to Swim: How "Rochenkinder" Brings Trust and Joy into the Water

For many parents, teaching their children to swim is a milestone, often accompanied by nervousness and expectations. But Anja Kerkow, founder of Rochenkinder, takes a completely different approach. She focuses on intuitive movement development and individual experiences rather than standardized instructions and performance goals. Her concept of “natural swimming” turns traditional swimming lessons on their head—placing trust, patience, and intuition at the center.

A Personal Path into the Water

“I grew up more or less in the water because my mother wanted me to have no fear of it. She enrolled me early in a parent-child swimming course,” Anja shares. However, her experiences as a swimming instructor in traditional lessons made her rethink her approach. “I saw children who were scared, who felt uncomfortable. That made me question a lot of things and look for alternatives.” This was how the Rochenkinder concept was born.

What Does Natural Swimming Mean?

Natural swimming, as Anja describes it, is based on trusting children’s innate abilities. “Children have everything they need to move in the water,” Anja explains. Instead of teaching children specific arm and leg movements, the concept allows them to explore the element of water at their own pace. “It’s similar to how babies develop movement in their first year of life. Nobody teaches them how to crawl or walk—they try it out and develop intuitively.”

The Role of Parents

A central component of Anja’s concept is the active involvement of parents. “Parents are the most important companions. They provide a sense of security and encourage their children to try new things,” Anja explains. At Rochenkinder, parents stay in the water with their children to create a familiar environment. “It’s an adventure that parents and children experience together. This special time deepens the bond and creates unforgettable moments.”

Why No Floaties?

Another key aspect of natural swimming is the deliberate avoidance of floatation devices like arm floaties. Anja clarifies: “Floaties create a false sense of security and prevent children from learning how their bodies behave in the water.” Instead, the focus is on helping children feel the buoyancy of the water and learning to let it support them.

A Counterpoint to Performance Orientation

In an era where swimming badges and athletic achievements often take center stage, Anja’s concept emphasizes individuality and self-determination. “It’s not about measuring performance but about giving children joy and confidence in the water,” she explains. Anja criticizes traditional badges like the Seepferdchen: “It doesn’t guarantee that a child is truly water-safe. Often, children are compared to others and pushed into actions they’re not ready for.”

What Parents Can Take Away

Anja encourages parents to view learning to swim as a process that requires time and patience. “Regular water experiences—whether in the bathtub, paddling pool, or swimming pool—are key,” she advises.

Conclusion: More Trust, Less Pressure

With her philosophy, Anja Kerkow challenges traditional methods. “Learning to swim is an individual process,” Anja says. “When we give children the time and space to find their own way, success comes naturally—and with it, joy.”

Anja Kerkow is the founder of Rochenkinder and a pioneer of “natural swimming.” A former competitive swimmer and trained motopedagogue, she combines her passion for water with a mindful approach centered on trust and intuition.