How Can I Teach A Child To Float?

Try first the so-called "cork float." While he is standing in about chest-deep water, tell the learner to bend at the knees until his chin is at the water's surface. Next, have him take a deep breath, bend forward, and bring his knees up to the chest, wrapping his arms around them. He should float with his back at the surface, resembling a bobbing cork. This float is good to learn first because it teaches a person how to get back on his feet again from the prone float.
The prone or face-down float, is simply a matter of lying face down in the water with arms and legs extended. To achieve this position, have the learner stand in water a little more than waist high. Then tell him to take a deep breath, bend forward with his arms straight out, and to lie face down in the water. His legs should rise to the surface behind. After a few seconds, have him bring his knees to the chest, and resume a standing position.
It is important to learn this float, for it shows the learner that he will not sink when he is in the face-down swimming position. It also makes clear that swimming is achieved simply by propelling the buoyant body by arm and leg movements.