How to Explain to a Child Why Fish Swim

Watching fish and aquatic life can be fascinating. Amaze your children even more with your knowledge of how fish swim.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Rocks (fish Tanks)
• Books - Children's - Fish
• Aquariums
• Fish Bowl
• Fish Tanks
• Goldfish Food Packages
• Weekend/holiday Fish Food
• Aquarium Fish
• Goldfish

1. Watch fish. Go to an aquarium or set up a fish tank of your own. Be sure to observe different types and sizes of fish because they don't all swim the same.

2. Identify fish anatomy. You will notice that fish have different types of fins located on different parts of their bodies. Pectoral and pelvic fins are located on the sides of fish and are the same shape and size on both sides. Dorsal fins are located on the top and bottom of the fish. The top dorsal fin is usually larger than the bottom. The tail is also a fin whether it is flat and fin-shaped or long and shaped like a whip.

3. Compare the shapes of fish. Most fish are long and thin or streamlined. This shape helps them cut through the water. Some fish are flat bottom-dwellers that lay on rocks or the bottom of a body of water.

4. Observe how fish move. Streamlined fish weave their bodies back and forth to move through the water. They wave their tails back and forth to help push them forward and sometimes use their pectoral or pelvic fins for an extra push, too. The pectoral and pelvic fins, as well as the dorsal fins, help fish guide their bodies right or left, up or down through the water and even come to a stop.

5. Explain how bottom-dwelling flat fish create a waving motion with their body to move forward and use their tail fins for an extra push. Some flat fish, like sting rays, use their pectoral or side fins to glide or almost fly through the water, resembling a bird.

Tips & Warnings

• READ! READ! READ! Buy books at your child's level and research about fish.
• Have your child draw the anatomy of a fish.
• Go swimming. Demonstrate to your child how you can use your hands to push forward. Put your feet together and pretend you are flipping your tail to swim forward.
• Teach your child water safety.
• Always supervise your child near water.