Step 17 Streamline Kicking

Now that your child is confidently combining their streamline position with kicking, it's time to gradually increase the distance they can travel through the water. 💦

In Step 17 of our Teaching Kids to Swim series, we focus on longer distance streamline kicking, building confidence, strength, breath control and independent movement.

Slowly increase the distance

There is no need to suddenly ask your child to swim a long way. Start with a distance they can comfortably manage and gradually move further away as their confidence and ability improve.

Encourage your child to:

🚀 Push strongly from the pool edge
🙌 Hold a long, strong streamline position
👂 Keep their arms close to their ears
🏊 Keep their body balanced and extended
🦵 Use continuous, relaxed kicks
💦 Keep their knees under the water
🦶 Keep their ankles and feet relaxed and floppy
➡️ Continue kicking and moving forward for a longer distance

The goal is to maintain the skills we've already developed while gradually increasing how far your child can travel independently.

Don't sacrifice good body position just to achieve a longer distance. If their streamline begins to fall apart or their kicking becomes tired, shorten the distance and build up again gradually.

Building endurance through repetition

Lots of repetition over manageable distances will help your child develop the strength, confidence and endurance needed to swim further.

Keep encouraging good technique and use plenty of positive reinforcement. Celebrate how far they have progressed — from learning to put their face in the water, to floating, streamlining and now kicking independently over longer distances.

Every child progresses at their own pace. Don't rush the distance. Allow your child's confidence and ability to guide the progression.

For families with a home swimming pool or access to a swimming pool, regular practice of these skills can help establish strong foundations before introducing the next stages of freestyle swimming.

▶️ Watch the next video in the playlist as we continue building on these skills and move closer to independent freestyle. Follow the complete Teaching Kids to Swim series to see the full progression from start to finish.

⚠️ Water Safety: Children must always be actively supervised and within close reach of a responsible adult around water. Increasing swimming distance can increase fatigue, so keep distances appropriate to your child's ability and provide plenty of rest. These videos support swimming practice and are not a replacement for professional swimming lessons.