How to Teach a Child the Back Float

After a child learns to bob and to float face down, it's time to teach the back float. Proceed with care, as some children get very nervous on their backs.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Swimsuits
• Swimsuits For Children
• Swimming Goggles
• Swimsuits

1. Have your child turn onto her back in the swimming pool.

2. Ask her to hold out her arms on top of the water, like an airplane.

3. Hold the child's head firmly in both of your hands, covering her ears.

4. Pull the child gently through the water on her back, so that feet rise to the surface and body remains horizontal, floating on the surface.

5. Make this like a ride at first, with the emphasis on getting the child comfortable in this position. Comfort and relaxation are the key elements. (See "How to Float on Your Back.")

6. Demonstrate how to float on your back, taking a deep breath, putting your head back in the water and spreading your arms out to the sides. Kick your feet lightly so that they rise to the surface.

7. Help your child into the back float position by supporting her head and lower back from underneath.

8. Feel the child relax in the water. When the child is totally relaxed, slowly lower your hands away from her back so she can float unaided. Keep your hands close by, to support her in case she panics.

9. Have the child hang onto the wall, put her head back into the water, and push off from the wall into the back float position. Demonstrate and assist this activity.

Tips & Warnings

• Be patient. Practice and review each lesson every time you meet.
• Relaxation and comfort are the keys to good back floats.
• Never leave a child unattended near a swimming pool.

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[TallTsar]

on 6/10/2007 eHow Friend has it exactly right: head all the way back, tummy up. I always tell them that they should put their heads as far back as possible.

If the child is a little bit older (six/seven or older), I have them watch me float and say to them "see how easily I'm floating, and my head is all the way back. Now all that I'm going to do is put my head forward, and watch what happens." Then, I put my chin to my chest and fold up my body so that I sink. It makes the point.

on 6/30/2006 The children that I teach swimming lessons to on a regular basis have trouble looking up toward the sky. They feel they are going to fall backward underneath the water. Place the child's head on your shoulders, supporting their middle back with your hands. This provides the child the comfort of knowing they won't tip back, however it does not allow them to fully float on their own. Place an interesting object on the ceiling or within reach, blow bubbles and ask the child to look up or back for them. Count as they float on their backs.

on 1/25/2006 One thing I always emphasize when teaching this skill is - head back, tummy up. Tell the kids to make sure their bellybutton stays at the surface, and have them look at the sky. This helps keep the flat body position that prevents the lower body from sinking.

on 11/22/2005 To get the children to relax, tell them it's like trying to fall asleep at night. Real relaxed and very calm. Support them at first and slowly take hands way!

on 11/22/2005 When you are trying to get your child to relax in a backfloat try singing a song to them, chanting a nursery rhyme, or having them count with you. Pick a number that your child can count to successfully, like 10 or 20.