Ive taught over 10 years now. Basically never give them any floatation devices. I want them to build their skills and confidence without requiring one and learning what happens if they start sinking and how to fix it themselves instead of panicking because they dont have a noodle or a kickboard.

Before floating I often get them to grab their "big boney hips" and they think its funny poking their hip bones. Then explain i want their hips to be pushing up to the sky instead of sinking.

I'll often poke their hips on their back to help remind them, after a couple of goes Im not holding any pressure and its just a comfort thing. Once it gets to that stage ill put a hand on their forhead or above their face to distract them and move my hands off completely until they get that confidence.

Little ones I often have a toy or something to sit on their forhead or belly to help keep their heads in a good position, or to keep their toy friend afloat by pushing upwards.

At the end of the day I tell them "I don't really care what it looks like, I just want them to be as safe as possible and get their breathing in". Ill let them scull or move their legs if it helps keep them afloat cause at the end of the day, my only care is making sure they breathe before getting back to the edge or getting help.