What this swimming skill is
A front float is just what it sounds like: lying on the water on your tummy, arms and legs spread out, doing nothing at all. The happy surprise for most new swimmers is that the water really does hold them up. Every float ends with a calm stand, so your child always knows how to get back on their feet.
It usually comes after your child is happy with water on the face and putting the face in. Next come floating on the back, gliding off the wall and the first kicks.
See it in action
Swimming Lessons for Kids: Front Float & Back Float
A lesson for young children on floating on the front and on the back.
From the AquaMobile YouTube channel
Why it matters
Trust in the water.
Once your child feels the water hold them up, they stop fighting it. Relaxed children find everything else easier and enjoy it more.
A calm way back to standing.
Floating is always taught together with standing up. Your child learns they can end a float whenever they like.
The shape of swimming.
Front crawl and breaststroke both start from a long, flat body on the tummy. The float teaches that shape with nothing else to think about.
