5 Step Guide to Teaching Kids How to Tread Water Safely
Learning to tread water is an important skill for kids to have for several reasons. Firstly, it can help keep them safe in the water. If a child falls into deep water and is unable to swim to the side, being able to tread water can allow them to stay afloat until help arrives. Treading water also helps to improve a child's overall swimming ability and can build their endurance and strength. Additionally, learning to tread water can increase a child's confidence in the water, which can make them more willing to try new aquatic activities (water polo, surfing, swim team). It is a useful skill to have and can be fun to practice and improve upon.
Here are some steps you can follow to teach a child how to tread water:
Start by having the child stand in waist-deep water and practice kicking their legs while holding onto the side of the pool or a floatation device. This will help them get a feel for the movement and build up their leg strength.
Once they feel comfortable kicking, have them practice keeping their head above water by using a "egg beater kick" motion with their legs. To do this, they should kick their legs up and down in alternating motions, as if they are riding a bicycle.
While they are practicing their egg beater kick, have them use their hands to "paddle" through the water by cupping their hands and pulling them through the water towards their chest. This will help them maintain their balance and keep their head above water.
Once they feel comfortable with the egg beater kick and paddling, have them try to keep their head above water by using both the egg beater kick and paddling at the same time. Encourage them to take breaks as needed, and remind them to keep their head above water and take deep breaths as they tread water.
As they become more comfortable with treading water, you can have them practice treading water without holding onto the side of the pool or a floatation device.
Remember to always supervise children when they are in the water, and make sure they are wearing a life jacket if they are not strong swimmers.