What this swimming skill is
Front crawl is the stroke many people call freestyle: face in the water, arms taking turns reaching over. To breathe, the swimmer turns the head to one side, takes a quick breath, and turns the face back in.
It builds on a steady breathing rhythm and on catching the breath after a swim. Your child starts with the side that feels natural. Breathing to both sides comes next.
See it in action
How to Swim Freestyle: How to Breathe When Swimming
Made for adults learning to swim: bubbles out under the water, then turning the head to the side to breathe in.
From the AquaMobile YouTube channel
Why it matters
Longer swims.
Lifting the head forward to breathe makes the legs sink and wears a swimmer out. Turning to the side keeps things easy.
Less water in the mouth.
A smooth turn keeps the mouth clear, so there is less coughing and spluttering.
Feeling like a real swimmer.
Front crawl with a comfortable breath is often the moment a child really feels like a swimmer.
Ready for more.
Swim teams, fitness swimming and later lessons all build on this breath.
