• Teaching a child to swim increases his confidence and core strength.swimming boy image by Marzanna Syncerz from Fotolia.com
  
  Fitness experts label swim workouts as one of the healthiest forms of exercise because water buoyancy and one-tenth lighter body weight translate to a lack of stress on joints and connective tissues. In addition, swimming works all of the major muscle groups at once, improving posture and flexibility while strengthening cardiovascular endurance. Besides being a fun exercise alternative for children, swimming provides beneficial therapy for young people with injuries or physical limitations.
  
  Note: Children with asthma should see a doctor before starting any exercise routine.
  
  

Beginner: Push the Ball

• In this beginner exercise, the child sits on the side of the pool with his legs dangling into water and a ball floating in front of his feet. Have him practice kicking with straight, powerful strokes to make bubbles in the water. Encourage him to see how far he can push the ball across the water. Line up multiple children with multi-colored balls for a race to see who can push the ball away from the edge the fastest.
  
  

Intermediate: Motorboat

• When your child reaches an intermediate swimming level, have her hold onto a kick board and kick across the water, making noises like a motorboat. Show her how to keep her legs straight to move faster. To vary the exercise, place a toy on the center of the kick board. Have your child practice the motorboat again, this time working to keep the toy in place without losing it in the water.
  
  

Intermediate: Superman Kicking

• The Superman exercise strengthens your child's core and leg muscles while increasing his comfort with having his face in the water. Hold your child's outstretched hands. Have him hold his face in the water while straightening his body and kicking with straight legs. Teach him to concentrate on keeping his shoulders down and rear even with the water while taking breathing breaks. After he feels more comfortable, try standing a few feet in front of him and have him kick to you.
  
  

Advanced: Chicken Wing

• The Chicken Wing exercise works best if your child is standing in water to her neck. Show your child how to put her hands under her armpits like chicken wings. Have her flap her "wings" to keep herself above the water, rotating as she flaps.
  
  

Advanced: Side Breathing

• Instruct your child to hold the arm on his breathing side down against his body while holding onto a floating device like a noodle with his other arm. Have him practice kicking across the pool while holding onto the noodle with one hand while periodically breathing to the side.