Treading Water

How long did it take for your child to tread water? And at what age?

What style, egg beater or scissor kick?

 

My boys learned last summer, when they were 6. This was with going to weekly swimming lessons from the time they were 3 1/2, and daily lessons at camp for 7 weeks each summer since they were 4. Treading water is a later skill to learn--they need to be able to swim in shallow water before learning deep water skills. At least in all the programs that I have been involved with.

 

What is treading water? I thought that is what you do when you are "trying" to swim.

 

I also meant to add, my kids have never used water wings or floaties in the water. They were not allowed in deep water until they were able to actually swim.

 

QUOTE(momotwinsmom @ Apr 18 2009, 11:14 AM) [snapback]1278829[/snapback]
What is treading water? I thought that is what you do when you are "trying" to swim.


Heather, "treading water" is being able to keep yourself afloat in pretty much one spot in the water. You are not "swimming" as in moving forward with a kick and stroke, but you are using your arms and legs to stay in one place with your head up out of the water and feet not touching bottom.

 

QUOTE(Nifty @ Apr 18 2009, 05:10 PM) [snapback]1279086[/snapback]
Heather, "treading water" is being able to keep yourself afloat in pretty much one spot in the water. You are not "swimming" as in moving forward with a kick and stroke, but you are using your arms and legs to stay in one place with your head up out of the water and feet not touching bottom.

Ahhhh, gotcha. Thanks Renee!

Ok, now that I know what that means, I can answer your question. The twins have been able to tread water for maybe 3 years now. I would say since they were about 5 or so. I have Peyton in swim lessons now, and at 3 1/2 she is nowhere near that yet.

 

Jackson didn't get good at it until he was about 8.

 

The twins learned as part as their swimming lessons around age 4. They had to be able to tread water for 15 seconds. Pretty much just long enough to be able to call for help if they needed it. Both can do it for longer now if we ask them to.