Teaching superhero glides is a fun way for children to understand what “push offs” are in the water. They get to pick what kind of superhero they want to be, they show the instructor their “superhero” arms, and then they practice gliding across the water. Not only is it a fun way for them to understand the concept, but it also helps them to remember what it is because they are connecting the skill with something fun! As they progress as a swimmer, then I start to teach the real names of the skills. Repetition is important at a young age as they are learning many different skills at one time.

This is a great game to play for teaching kids how to kick their legs in the water. I often use it as a “warm-up” or the first thing we do before they get in the pool. To start, have them sit on the edge of the pool with their feet in the water. When you say green light, the kids should kick as hard as they can. Then when you say red light, they stop their kicking. This game also sets the boundaries for a great instructor-child relationship and helps improve listening skills.