Children develop quicker and learn most effectively when they are constantly being challenged. This is why it is far better to create a learning environment based on ability rather than by age or other indicators. Swimming and other physical activities present a wide range of challenges for different kids. Sometimes a new swimmer might pick up paddling quickly, however find kicking difficult, or vice versa. Once a skill is mastered then a new one must be introduced so the student does not become bored or lose interest. Learning new skills and discovering one's own ability is what makes swimming fun and enjoyable. A very common statement we at Uswim hear is "my child was in swimming lessons but stopped liking it because they did the same thing every week". So when teaching your own children, be aware that there are no age limits or age prerequisites to certain skills. As long as you're not rushing or skipping skills, it is best to challenge and keep swimming enjoyable.
 

So although it is best to teach swimming by ability, we still need to use age as an indicator to get started. This is because Children under a certain age lack the physical ability to perform some skills. The age catagories above are a starting point, then you begin working on activities and learning swimming techniques. We all know from our teenage years that people develop at different stages in life. The same is true for children performing physical activities such as swimming or other sports. Good teachers are acutely aware of the effort their students are putting in rather than results they are producing. All a child can do is try their best, the degree to which they improve depends entirely on the quality of the instruction and the teachers understanding of the swimmers capability.
 

At Uswim we are strong believers that in order for anyone including children to learn effectively, they need to be comfortable in the environment. Foreign environments such as water can create anxiety and feelings of insecurity in those not accustomed to it. This is why you first need to make the swimmer relaxed about where they are, therefor building trust. Once this is achieved, both mind and body are ready to take in information and begin the learning process. Scaring kids or forcing them to swim only increases the chance they will associate swimming with negative emotions. Take your time, get comfortable and have fun with the process. 
 

When talking about swimming strokes, the four most common are those people see in the Olympics - Freestyle, Backstroke, Breaststroke and Butterfly. Strokes are different methods of moving through the water, and the easiest to learn for most children are Freestyle and Backstroke. This is why Uswim does not advocate learning Breaststroke or Butterfly until children can comfortabley swim 20 metres of catch-up freestyle and backstroke. The fastest stroke by far is Freestyle, hence the name. Its a fact that in swimming competitions, competitors may swim however they like in the Freestyle event, Freestyle just happens to be the fastest way which is why everyone does it. Another name which is common in the USA and other countries for Freestyle is 'Front Crawl' or 'Australian Crawl'. There are also several 'safety strokes' that people can learn to help them in times of trouble, or as an alternative exercise.