“Should my child learn breaststroke or front crawl first, and how can I tell the technique is right?” We hear this often at our swim school in Graz. Here we explain the basic building blocks of both strokes in plain language, point out typical stumbling blocks, and say honestly what the available sources can and cannot support.
- Foundation first: gliding, water feel and breathing out into the water come before any stroke. A guide by Wasserwacht Bayern assumes that the water-confidence exercises are mastered beforehand.
- Breaststroke: glide position → leg kick → arm stroke → breathing → coordination (according to a DLRG handout). You breathe out under water while the arms reach forward.
- Front crawl: leg kick → arm stroke → breathing → full stroke (according to Wasserwacht Bayern). Breathing is first practised standing.
- Order: According to Wasserwacht Bayern, breaststroke is usually learned first in Germany. We found no evidence in the sources that one stroke is better to start with.
Breaststroke or crawl first? What the sources say
In its guide to learning front crawl, Wasserwacht Bayern notes that in Germany breaststroke is usually learned first, and recommends adding crawl and backstroke elements soon after. The document names no minimum age for crawl. The key prerequisite is that the water-confidence exercises are already secure.
The Hamburg booklet “Schwimmen spielend lernen” calls gliding and water feel the foundation of beginner swimming. That matches our experience: a child who feels comfortable in the water and can breathe out learns every stroke more easily. If your child still hesitates to put their face under water, read our guide on putting the head under water first.
Breaststroke for children: the building blocks
The “Brustschwimmen” handout from DLRG Erlangen describes the technique as follows (in our own words, shortened):
- Glide position: arms and legs are stretched, legs together. Every stroke starts from here.
- Leg kick: the legs are drawn up towards the bottom with toes pointing outwards. The feet open first, then the lower legs, and the knees follow last. A circular sweep brings the legs back together.
- Arm stroke: the palms turn outwards, the hands pull sideways and down until the arms are bent at about 90 degrees, push the water back under the chest and then stretch forward again.
- Breathing: the head lifts as the arms pull down, and you breathe in. The face then returns to the water, and you breathe out under water while the arms reach forward.
- Coordination: first the arm stroke with an in-breath, then arms stretch and you breathe out, then the leg kick, and finally a glide.
Front crawl for children: the building blocks
The Wasserwacht Bayern guide (“Kraulen lernen mit Loti”, 2025) suggests a clear order. It addresses people learning crawl as a first or follow-up stroke in general, not children exclusively:
- Leg kick: preliminary exercises such as gliding first, then kicking at the pool edge, later with aids (for example a kickboard) and on the side.
- Arm stroke: from one-arm gliding through “dog paddle” and “windmill” to the arm stroke while standing and walking, then with a kickboard and finally without aids.
- Breathing: breathing out into the water and turning to the side for air, first standing, then with arm movement.
- Full stroke: first breathing on every second arm stroke to one side, later on every third stroke to both sides.
For equipment, the guide recommends swimming goggles before increasing the amount of practice. Diving masks are unsuitable because you cannot breathe out through mouth and nose with them.
Typical stumbling blocks and how parents can help
The handout has no section on mistakes. The points below are our own conclusions derived from the described technique, not study results:
- Head too early or too high: in breaststroke the head lifts only as the arms pull down.
- No breathing out under water: holding the breath forces a rushed in-breath. Breathing out (blowing bubbles) can already be practised during water confidence work.
- Knees open too early: according to the handout, the feet open first and the knees last.
- Arms and legs out of rhythm: slow with a glide is better than fast and frantic.
As a parent you do not need to correct anything. Praise courage and effort, let the swim teacher guide the technique, and always stay within arm’s reach of young children in the water.
What the sources do not say
The documents mentioned are teaching and training materials from a DLRG branch, Wasserwacht and a state institute, not studies. They do not prove that any particular order gets children to the goal faster. The 6 to 8 sessions the guide plans for the crawl module are a planning figure for instructors, not a promise for children. How fast a child learns depends on age, previous experience, build and confidence.
How we work at Schwimmschule Mo
At our school, children from age 3 learn privately in a 1:1 or 1:2 ratio at the Bad zur Sonne in Graz. This lets the teacher build up the steps in small stages and at your child’s pace. You can find all our offers for children on the page Swimming courses for children in Graz. Free slots are shown directly in the booking calendar.
Frequently asked questions
Should my child learn breaststroke or front crawl first?
According to Wasserwacht Bayern, breaststroke is usually learned first in Germany. We found no evidence in the sources for a “correct” order. Water confidence, gliding and breathing out matter more; the swim teacher decides based on the child.
At what age can a child learn front crawl?
The Wasserwacht Bayern guide names no minimum age. It assumes the water-confidence exercises are mastered. When it fits is individual.
Does my child need swimming goggles?
Before increasing the amount of crawl practice, Wasserwacht Bayern recommends swimming goggles. Diving masks are unsuitable because you cannot breathe out through mouth and nose with them.
How many lessons does it take to learn front crawl?
The guide plans roughly 6 to 8 sessions for the crawl module, but it is not aimed only at children and assumes water confidence. It is a rough guide, not a guarantee.
What can my child prepare at home?
Breathing out into the water (blowing bubbles) and gliding are basic building blocks. Practise only briefly and playfully, and never leave your child unsupervised in the water.
Sources
- DLRG Erlangen: Handout Brustschwimmen (2020) (PDF, German)
- Wasserwacht Bayern: Guide “Kraulen lernen mit Loti” (2025) (PDF, German)
- Hamburg: Booklet “Schwimmen spielend lernen” (1st edition 1999) (PDF, German, provided via edugroup.at)
This article does not replace personal swimming lessons or medical advice. Always supervise children in and around water.
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