Basic Front Crawl Strokes For Older Children (7-10 Years)
Learn a few techniques from our expert swimming teacher, to help build up your child's confidence in the water and their knowledge of some basic strokes. Good for children aged between 7 - 10 years.
Step 1: Practise 1
Remember that children in a swimming pool should always be accompanied by an adult. These techniques are for children between 7-10 years of age, who have water confidence but haven’t yet had formal instruction.
Once your child is in the pool, get them to practice treading water, this being a good way to help them warm up their muscles. Let them do this for 30 seconds to a minute.
Step 2: Practise 2
Now move on to the leg practice. Get them to glide along the width of the pool on their front, with their arms forward and practicing to churn their legs whilst lifting their head for breath. Their feet should stay just at the surface. A few widths of this are good practice.
Step 3: Practise 3
Introduce a float to the practice. Get your child to rest one arm on the float whilst the other arm practices the front crawl stroke. The arm should be making a spear like motion into the water, and then pulling back and out of the water with the elbow exiting first.
Step 4: Practise 4
Once you can see that your child is comfortable and confident with the movements, try getting them to swim a width of front crawl without the float. Their legs should be kicking strong and straight, and they should be reaching forward with their arms making spear shapes. This will help their body glide nicely through the water. At this stage, let them breath in the way that is most natural for them.
Let your child dictate how quickly they move from practice to practice, and this way you will get the best results possible.