Fixing the Float: How to Help Your Little One Float With Ease
There are many skills that your children will be introduced to when learning to swim. One of the most challenging is the front and back float. At first glance, the float seems like it will be the most effortless skill to master—it only involves laying there, after all!
However, the seemingly simple front and back float are quite tricky to learn, especially for high-energy, hard-to-focus kids.
Of course, offering children swimming lessons at least one to two days a week all year long will help them to master the tricky float. But you can also help at home! Whether you are using the bathtub, backyard pool, or a day at the beach, a few concentrated moments can help them to perfect their floats.
Tips for Front Float
The front float can only be introduced and mastered once your little one is comfortable with their face in the water and controlling their breath. So, begin with these foundational swimming skills; allow your child the time they need to be comfortable with getting their face and head wet, submerging, and blowing bubbles.
Front float offers some really difficult challenges for little ones. The most challenging is simply to be still. The front float is traditionally performed in a star or starfish shape, allowing the body to have maximum surface area over the water.
Work toward having the top of the head to the back of the heels in one straight, even line. Again, breath control is critical—gentle, tiny bubbles are fine, but full lungs will aid the float.
The eyes should be looking directly down toward the bottom of the pool, with the chin pointing downward also. Keep the spine straight and work toward eliminating any spine movement that looks like a mad cat shape or a swayback horse shape.
Tips for Back Float
Just as with a front float, a successful back float relies on an ideal body position. The head position is critical—if the head is lifted even the tiniest amount, the body will slowly sink toward the bottom. So, keep the head, spine, torso, and legs in one straight line.
A great reminder is to keep the ears just below the surface with the chin pointing toward the sky. Another reminder is to tie an imaginary string from their belly button to a star—the string is tight, so their belly button must pull up toward the sky. A high belly, rather than one dropping downward, will aid in maintaining the float position.
Arms and legs should be straight and extended outward in a star shape. For very small or anxious children, hold and rest the back of their head in the curve of your collarbone. From this position, they are reassured that you are close and that they are safe.
Try singing fun, gentle songs as you move backward in a slow, controlled manner. The backward movement will create a gentle wake that will aid in buoyancy.
Let Them Teach You How to Float
Kids are just like adults in that they love to share what they have learned, and they love to be leaders. Ensure that another adult is within arm’s reach as you allow your little ones to teach you how to float. Let them take their hands in each of theirs for the front float. Then, while still holding their hands, move into the star shape—let them pull you into the shape.
In order to have them teach you how to float on your back, let them stand behind you while taking your head in both their hands. Then, let them gently pull you back into a lying position while you stretch out your arms and legs. Many children will offer the sweetest words to encourage you to stay still and hold your float.
Switching the roles of teacher and student will reinforce your child’s learning, build their confidence, and allow them to experience leadership in a meaningful way. Afterward, you can explore and discuss how your skill levels differ, how your skills are similar, and what you have learned about correcting your individual float techniques.
Join us at Steve Wallen Swim School, and let us teach you and your entire family how to swim! Check out our superb facilities in El Dorado Hills and Roseville today!
