How to teach kids to kick effectively when swimming

The Kick:

BABIES UNDER 6 MONTHS: The swimming reflex makes babies look like they are swimming. Babies will naturally move their arms and legs underwater. You won't need to teach your baby any underwater motions. That is why you want to start your baby swimming very young!

FOR CHILDREN 6 MONTHS TO 2 YEARS OLD:

• If your baby doesn't naturally kick, get low in the water and have him lean on your shoulder.
• Move your baby's legs up and down at the knees while you walk backwards.
• Have another adult move your baby's legs up and down.
• Hold your baby securely. As your baby kicks, you walk backwards towards a toy or another person.

FOR OLDER CHILDREN NEEDING HELP: Use a floatie

• Place your child's hands on the float.
• Use your arms to move your child's legs up and down, bending the knees, flopping the feet, while moving to a toy.
• Try to achieve a happy medium of bending and splashing.
• You can also place your arm just above your child's knees to prevent his legs from going too deep.
• You child will continue to kick until he reaches the toy. This is the beginning of swimming! 

FOR OLDER CHILDREN A BETTER KICK:

• Hold the child facing you. Have the child kick really hard, while you pretend to crash the wall.
• Hold the child under the arms and tell him to kick to the toy while you walk toward the toy.
• Have the child push off the steps and kick to you getting in a horizontal position.
• Do The Bumper Fish
• Have the child jump in and kick to you, making sure that he splasheswith his feet.
• To strengthen the kick, try "the rocket" in the Swim Solo lesson.