Kicking

Caregiver holds the knees of the child

Why kicking?

Kicking—particularly the flutter kick—is a fundamental component of aquatic movement. It is typically introduced early in progressive swim instruction as it supports both motor skill development and learner engagement.

How to do it?

The child should place their hands on the caregiver’s shoulders for support.
The caregiver, in turn, gently holds the child's knees—visualizing it as if they are holding two paintbrushes, guiding strokes across an imaginary canvas.

To reinforce the movement, the caregiver may sing:
“This is the way I kick my legs… kick my legs… kick my legs…”
Pairing rhythmic action with song can effectively enhance the child's skill acquisition through auditory and kinesthetic association.