Time to Play! Body Shape and Position

Kids learn by playing. The more you can make learning to swim fun for your kids, the more they’ll like it, the quicker they’ll learn, and the more fun you’ll have teaching them. This game helps kids learn how their bodies feel when they’re in the best position for swimming.

At home, have your child watch himself in the mirror, standing with his arms above his head. Hold something just above his fingertips and have him stretch to reach it. How does it feel? Turn the exercise—it’s a great stretch, by the way—into a game by making marks on the wall to see what his maximum reach is. Now it’s your turn. Have your kids stand on a stepstool or ladder to hold something just beyond your reach.