Breaststroke Kick

The child pushes off from the pool wall, holds a vertical position and performs a breaststroke-like kick with both legs — a simplified breaststroke kick where the knees are never fully drawn in. This introduces a familiar element in a new vertical form: the breaststroke kick is the closest learned kick to treading water, making it ideal for introducing the concept quickly.

The child brings their feet to their hands, which rest at their sides. This teaches the correct leg movement and prevents two common mistakes: kicking with half-bent legs, or stretching the legs completely and opening and closing them like a jumping jack.

The child clasps a swimming board and floats on their back, then stretches the legs slowly and in a controlled manner and pulls them back up without spreading the knees, with a short break between each kick. This teaches efficient leg movement without tiring quickly. Later, set a target: for example, cover ten meters with a maximum of seven leg kicks.

The sternum thrust is learned with this land exercise: the mountain is the bent knees, the moon the synchronized semi-circular leg movement. Sit opposite your child and demonstrate step by step: 1) legs and feet fully extended, hands supporting behind; 2) pull the legs up, knees touching, feet together and extended — the mountain; 3) turn the feet outwards, heels still touching; 4) move the feet forward in a synchronized circular motion along an imagined circle (the moon), turning them inwards halfway until legs and feet are extended and closed again. Repeat dozens of times, slowly at first, then faster, waiting at least two seconds between kicks. Focus on the circular movement and correct foot position. Once mastered on land, sit on a board at the pool edge and repeat with the legs in the water, displacing as much water as possible.