How to Learn to Float & Swim

Children

• 1

  Help your child learn to master his fear of the water. Because water in a pool is deeper, your child may be afraid of putting his face into the water or letting go and learning to let his body float.

• 2

  Wade into the pool with your child and encourage her to turn around so she is facing the steps of the pool. Show her how to grab the step of the pool with both hands, then lift her legs so she is lying face down in the water. Allow her to keep her face out of the water.

• 3

  Demonstrate to your child how to immerse his face in the water and hold his breath. Hold your breath for five seconds, then raise your head out. You may need to repeat this step more than once so your child learns that you won't hurt yourself by putting your face in the water. Once he understands this, encourage him to put his face into the water and count to five out loud. As he gets used to how it feels to have his face in the water, gradually increase how long he keeps his face under water until he reaches 10 seconds.

• 4

  Take your child's hands in yours. Gently pull her around in the water, moving slowly so she gets used to the feeling of moving in the water. As you pull her around, encourage her to put her face into the water as you pull her around.

• 5

  Show your child how to move himself in the water by having him push off from the step and float toward you. He should have his face immersed in the water as he moves toward you. Once he has gotten used to how this feels, show him how to move himself by kicking. Demonstrate how to move his legs so his feet are fluttering at the surface of the water.

• 6

  Have your child put a life vest on and let her lie back in your arms while both of you are in the water. Allow her to get used to this position before letting go of her. Once she is used to lying on her back, begin letting go of her body, but continue to support her head. Let her know when you are going to let go of her head, then remove your hand for five seconds at a time.

• 7

  Show your child how to move his arms to swim while he is lying face down in the water. Stand in front of him at a short distance and demonstrate the arm movement. He should move his arms at the shoulder one at a time, and push his hands, palm down, through the water then back up out of the water at his hips. Allow him to practice this step until he gets comfortable with the movement with his face out of the water. Encourage him to inhale while his face is out of the water, then exhale as his face is immersed. Then as his hand comes out of the water, his face comes back out of the water for another breath.

Adults

• 8

  Stand in the shallow end of the pool while holding onto the edge. Hold your breath and immerse your face in the water and count to five, then take your face out of the water. Continue this step until you are not afraid of having your face in the water.

• 9

  Grab the edge of the pool and lie back so you are looking at the sky, and let your legs float in the water. Keep holding the edge of the pool until you are comfortable with the feeling of floating on your back.

• 10

  Immerse your face in the water, grab the edge of the pool and allow your legs to float up until you are floating face first in the water.

• 11

  Position your head so your face is not in the water. Move your dominant hand down through the water palm first. As this hand comes out of the water, repeat the motion with your other arm. Stay close to the edge of the pool while you practice moving both arms to help you move around the pool.