Summarize the following:
Kids should be taught to tread water before they are taught how to swim. Try to teach water treading as soon as your child is capable of following directions and copying the example you set for them. For most kids, this is usually around 2-5 years old. Since younger kids are more prone to accidental drowning, teaching this skill helps to keep them safe. Rather than jumping right in and treading water, it is better to safely work on land. Start by the different parts of the body (first the arms and then the legs). An ideal place to practice these movements is at a playground. Start by simply breathing with your child. Instruct them to try breathing in for a count of four, and out to a count of four. In time, ask them to try increasing the number to five or six. Maintaining a slow, steady flow of breath helps your child to stay calm and tread water effectively. Make sure your child knows that in order to tread water, they must be in a vertical position with their head above the water. As your child works on breathing and arm movement exercises, make sure they remain upright. If your child is not in a vertical position with their head out of the water, they are technically swimming. While it is important to teach your child to swim, the ability to tread water should come first.
Start early. Practice on dry land. Try some slow breathing exercises. Stay in a vertical position.