The Amazing, Incredible Pool Noodle Uses for Swimming Lessons

Don’t call Strega Nona! These noodles don’t come in a pasta pot. They’re Godzilla-sized packing peanuts—and Godzilla-sized fun. First piece of advice for you read any further. Splurge! Spend $5 and get a good one! Give the wimpy ones from the dollar store a wide berth.

NOT A FLOATIE

Warning! Warning! Warning! A noodle is not a floatie. A noodle is not a life-saving device. It provides zero protection from drowning. It’s the best tool in the world, however, if you’re in the pool with the kids with it! [1]

FALLING OFF

Noodles are awesome! The most awesome thing about a noodle is that your child can fall off it. And, yes, get a face full of water. And, yes, get scared. It’s a safe way to be remind your child of his limits. Safe? Did I say safe? Yes, under the assumption that you are in the water with them. Remember! A noodle is not a life-saving device. Pardon me for repeating myself, but I want us all to be safe.

FRONT

Okay, enough about how not to treat a noodle (Don’t treat it as a life-saving device. You know why? Because it’s not one!). A noodle can do so much, we have to look at it front, back, and sideways. When a child uses it in front, tucked into her armpits, she can practice all of her kicks, doggie paddle, treading water, and even the breast stroke.

BOBBING SUPPORT

How is this different from you supporting her? [2] It feels independent. She can move around by herself. Also, unlike you, the noodle bobs up and down as she uses it. Guess what? That’s exactly what her body is going to do when she starts swimming for herself. It’s a great way to get comfortable with that feeling.

BACK

Lots of kids hate being on their back because it feels weird. How does the noodle help? When it’s wrapped around the back of the neck—and once again into the armpits—it lets children relax their necks and keep their heads above the water at the same time. Pretty soon, guess what? They’ll be shoving the noodle away to float on their own. And when they start to sink? No problem. You’re in the water with them. Why? Because a noodle is not a life-saving device.

BACK TO FRONT

Had enough of the back? Use the noodle to get back to your front. This is an often overlooked and critical skill. Why? Rolling back to front gives your child a way to get out of position that is making them afraid—being on his back—and into a position that allows them to relax—being on their front. Is the noodle better support for rolling than you? Yes, I’d say so—if for no other reason than the noodle doesn’t mind getting whacked in the face during a moment of panic.

JUMPING ON

Many children are afraid to jump off the side into the water—and this fear is a good one. But put a noodle out there—and cannonball! The noodle is a great way to wean them off of you catching them when they jump in. Not only do you avoid the whacking mentioned above, the noodle—unlike you—is not entirely reliable. Sometimes it slips away forcing your child to deal with the consequences. If they can’t, no problem. Why not? Because you’re right there to support them.

SADDLE

What child can resist a horse? And what horse is cooler than a seahorse? Riding a noodle like a noodle is challenging. It leads to falling off—a lot!—but it also leads to treading water—another often overlooked but critical skill. Once kids master sitting the horse, they often use this position to transition to lying face down in the water anywhere in the pool—instead of just by the steps.

A FLOATING SIDE

Children know that the side of the pool is the great place to hold on to rest and feel safe. The noodle becomes a side that floats all around the pool. Again, it’s not reliable. When it scoots away, the child has to swim after it or hold on with one hand while he tries to grab it with the other hand. These struggles teach children how to use their bodies in the water and remind them of what their—current—limits are. If they exceed those limits, no sweat. You’re right there to bridge what-they-can-do from what-they-can’t-quite-do-yet.

ZONE OF PROXIMAL DEVELOPMENT

Yes, that’s the best thing about the noodle. It allows the child to spend tons of time in the ZPD [3]. This speeds their development and reinforces—in a positive and enriching and playful way—the skills they have mastered. The noodle—in conjunction with you—acts as the more “capable peer” who has mastered being in the water.

Believe me, this is a VERY short list of all the amazing things your child—can do with a noodle. Every time I get in the pool, a child shows me a new game they play with the noodle! Please share your experiences, games, and ideas with all of us here!

Apologies for being a little cheeky here, but the noodle demands fun—even when you’re being serious! And always remember, no matter how awesome and fun a noodle is, a noodle is not a life-saving device.

Cheers, Robert

About the Author: Robert Rogers
Robert is a Sunsational Swim Instructor in Santa Rosa, California.
In his work life, Robert has taught people how to sing, act, and swim—and birds how to fly. Okay, well not exactly. But he did train birds for shows at state fairs, zoos, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom. His only regret is not having learned how to fly himself—yet! You have to crawl before you can fly—or butterfly, right? Favorite animal movie of the moment: EIGHT BELOW!

Book your lesson with Robert or any of our swim instructors!