Teaching Kids to Glide in the Pool: Mastery

Gliding in the pool in the streamline or torpedo position, your kids will learn to move through the water in a shape that makes their swimming most effective. Here’s how to teach the skill once you’re in the pool.

Teaching Your Kids to Glide in the Pool

First, practice the position on dry land. Now it’s time to get wet.

In the pool, have your child get into streamline position and then put his face into the water. Help him glide through the water by holding both of his hands and walking backwards.

Getting started moving is the hardest part. When your child is comfortable with having you tow him while he’s in streamline position, have him push off from the step or the side and glide into your arms. Gradually increase the distance of the glide.

Even when your child starts doing glides by himself, stay close, both for his safety and to make him feel secure and confident. Don’t have him try incorporating the kick yet.

Once he’s really comfortable gliding without moving his body, have your child push off from the edge in streamline position and begin to kick. Have him practice until he can move the width of the pool this way.

This skill is gratifying to teach and to learn. It’s the first swimming lesson that starts to look like real swimming, and it’s a huge step toward teaching your kids to be water safe.