What this swimming skill is
This skill is like turning slowly on a swivel chair, but in the water. Your child stays upright with the feet off the floor. Small arm and leg movements turn them to face where they want to go.
It builds on rolling over in the water. Next come turning toward safety and treading water, which means staying upright in one place by moving the arms and legs.
Why it matters
Finding the way out.
Someone who falls in often comes up facing away from the edge. Turning calmly to see the wall or the steps lets them head straight there.
Control with feet off the floor.
Being able to turn without touching the bottom gives your child a real sense of control.
A calmer response.
Knowing what to do next helps your child stay calm instead of splashing about.
Who it is for
This is for children, teens and adults who are comfortable in the water and can move a little on their own. Your child is ready when they are happy to lift their feet off the floor while holding a noodle or the instructor's hands. If you are learning as an adult, this often builds a real sense of control when your feet are off the floor.
Upright with feet off the floor
The goal
Your child stays upright with the feet off the floor and turns around to face the wall, the steps or the instructor. At first they hold a float, and in time they can make a full, controlled turn afloat.
Why it matters
Turning to face a way out is the first step to getting out safely. It helps your child stay calm and in control.
What happens in lessons
Starting where your child can stand.
Your child begins in water where their feet can reach the floor, with the instructor right beside them.
Holding on for support.
Your child holds a noodle or the instructor's hands, lifts the feet and turns to face the wall.
Small, gentle movements.
Your instructor shows your child easy arm and leg movements that turn the body without splashing.
A full turn alone.
As confidence grows, your child turns all the way round afloat, then spots the nearest way out.
How you can help between lessons
- On land, play find the exit. Close your eyes in the middle of a room, then open them and turn calmly to face the door.
Common questions
- What does turning on the spot mean?
- It means turning around while staying upright in one place, like a swivel chair. Your child ends up facing a new direction without swimming anywhere.
- Why is turning around a safety skill?
- Someone who falls in often comes up facing the wrong way. Turning calmly to see the wall or the steps lets them head straight there.
- Will my child be in deep water for this?
- Your child starts in water where they can stand, lifting the feet while they turn and holding a float or the instructor's hands. Any practice in water too deep to stand happens only in lessons, with the instructor right beside them.
- Which way should my child turn?
- Toward the nearest way out. Your instructor practises both directions, so your child can always take the shortest way round.
