My child has been been taking swimming lessons for a year with Emler. Turned 3 and is not about to turn 4. He will swim with his teacher there but today when we were out at a neighbors pool he went off the steps that are in the pool, turned around, and dog paddled no where??? I dont' understand. We don't have a pool so he doesn't really get to practice. But why does he swim at the lesson but not in other pools? Anyone else gone through this?
Thanks to everyone that took the time to respond. I totally agree with everyone's input. I was just so shocked when he went into the pool and it didn't click for him on how to swim. I just couldn't believe that he was a foot away from the step and could of gone under. I just thought after a year of weekly lessons that he would of conquered a foot on his own in need. I just felt bad too because I think he thought he could too. He seemed a bit shocked too. Then I felt guilt for letting him have a device that allows him to float but work at it to help with the swimming. Just a mass state of emotions. Thanks again for sharing and listening!
At that age, I don't think the lessons are really swimming lessons as much as not drowning lessons. It sounds to me like he's doing great.
Like the others have said, he has a comfort zone with his instructor. You might contact the instructor for some verbal help and go to a friend's house or public pool to work on that.
I know when I was young I did swimming lessons for 2 years before I had it all down.
I think you have a high level of expectation for your little one. He is still quite young. Being in unfamiliar surroundings is very disorienting. I think that your other response is correct that your son needs more interaction with water. And you need to continue to encourage what he was taught. All of our kids took many summers of swimming to feel totally at ease in water and then learn technical skills.
Since you don't have a pool you go to often these skills sort of start over for him with each experience. It is really good that he has no hesitation to the water. That is a huge hurtle. When your next son also gets into the water you will be surprised at how much more quickly they will learn together. They will most likely compete and since he is older he will start to "teach" his brother...if you let him do this naturally and don't pressure him it can be the best "teaching" your older son gets. All under your watchful eye of course.
Be blessed
he has reached a comfort level with the instructor. not a bad thing but i would suggest you do a private family lesson. where you can swim along with the insructor and your child can see you in the 'safe zone' too. you may need a couple family lessons but you need to gain your sons trust too. you have told him that it is ok for him to swim with this person but never really add yourself into the equation. you probably just assumed your boy would know it is ok with you. give it a try. i think you'll see quick results.
He is just three would be my first guess. At that age they still feel insecure, and he just needs time and to feel comfortable. You may be expecting too much. Sounds like he will in his own time be able to, but if he doesn't swim often, he has to build up his confidence each time, and with lessons he knew the teacher was there.
Three suggestions -
1. Let him play in the water with friends more often, maybe at minimum once per week. The Colony Parks & Rec has an outdoor splash area super cheap - just a buck or two. Friso has an Indoor Aquatic Center - again super cheap maybe 5 bucks or so.
2. Talk to his instructor about your concerns and ask for some tips.
3. Shop around - there are dozens of places that offer swim lessons and your sons' friends' parents may be able to suggest a few names. We've been very pleased with Ms. Angela at The Colony Parks & Rec semi-private lessons.
Hope this helps!
I think it is a great success if he is dog paddling and practicing on his own whether he goes somewher at all. That is a big step.
He naturally feels that he is safe with his teachers and they are in a teaching mode, and when in class have certain expectations that aren't there with just mom. I am sure it is about security.
This will pass as he becomes more confident in class and in his ability.
I think that you are to impatient. He is only 3 and only been taking for a year. They also impress safety in any class I have ever been in or seen. I think that you should let him handle it in his own time, not yours. I think he sounds like he is doing fine, by my standards. I have 3 boys, who we got into the water all by 6 months and all have had years of lessons and all swim like fish. Even going off the diving boards at 4-5 and liking it. Just because he has been taking lessons for a year doesn't mean he has the confidence to go out into the big pool all on his own. That's alot of water and very intimidating.
We also got our kids the bathing suits with the built in flotation device to give them a bit of security while they were "practicing" their strokes. Then would practice without it for a while under supervision. But we had kids who THOUGHT they could swim and couldn't, so I was always scared the one time I turned my back they would be at the bottom drowning, so they wore the suits alot. But they got to be pretty good with the strokes when we finally let them free swim without it and during lessons. Until I felt like they were safe to know their own limits and boundaries. So I don't think that you have anything to worry about.You need to let him know that he is doing a great job and let him decide when he is ready to take the next step and swim into the pool farther.
Good luck,
L.
This is totally normal, and the only way my own kids and others I have seen have really become swimmers is to just let them be in a pool. A lot. They can then practice on their own terms, and eventually will get it. A week in a hotel swimming three times a day has done more for my kids than their swimming lessons ever have. I'm glad they do take lessons to get proper technique, but that's never where they really get it down.
