Taking up on your offer and asking a question to Shar:

Apart from holding baby in the water, what activities can I do with my 12 month old in the pool? I want him to get comfortable with me holding him in the water before taking swim lessons.

He's never been in a pool before, so I'm not sure how he'll react.

Thanks Shar!!
Sorry I only just saw this!

I would suggest doing this such as floating on their back with their head on your shoulder, cheek to cheek. Bubble blowing (a good one is to say "bubbles" and then blow on their hand and then in the water so they get the idea).

If you hold him with a side hold (tummy down with your hands under their armpits, thumbs on top, fingers on chest) you can do kicking. Also manipulating his hands in a doggy paddle motion (underwater) whilst sitting with your back against the wall and child on your raised knee.

A lot of it is hard to explain without demonstrating I have just discovered! The other major thing we do is submerging but you could do cup pours though (which you can also do at home in the bath), use your cue "*name* are you ready 1,2,3" and then pour a small amount of water over the face from back to front. You are looking for signs such as eyes closed, mouth closed, shaking head etc. to show aquatic readiness.

Another thing you can do if they are walking is let them fall down in the shallows. Too often parents snatch up children when they fall in the water and this instills a fear of water. Give them a few seconds (and I know it feels like hours!) to find their feet and if you still have to help one hand under the chest and one under the bottom is best.

As suggested there are plenty of songs you can do as well. Oh and swimming with aids on is good just dont do it all the time and watch for their mouth dropping into the water a lot.

Hope that helps a bit and isnt too late