Swimming Lessons - Boyd, MN

Hello....I have worked for Anoka Hennepin Community Ed in the Aquatics part since I was 14 yrs old! I now have 3 little ones of my own (5,3, and 10 months) THey all started in the pool at 6 months. We offer swimming lessons through the American Red Cross and their parent/child program starts at 6 months. That being said, we certainly did not have them in continously. Probably one or two sessions a year, just to keep them familar with the pool. Most parent child classes are set up to teach a skill (ie putting their face in the water) and then teachs the parent the progression of the skill so the child can work at what is appropriate for their age (1 year old might put lips in water, 2 year old might work on blowing bubbles, and a 4 year old might work towards putting their whole head under!) We have seen kids walk into the pool for their first lessons at 10 years old...and they do just fine :) Each kid is different and they all have different concerns about being in the pool. I say, sign up and have fun!!!

At the pool closest to us they offer mommy and me lessons (I think) but I can't do that because I have another son too. The regular independent swim lessons are for kids who are about 42 inches tall or taller, I think. My son is only 40 inches tall so I am hoping he can do those next summer, but he will be 5 1/2 then. I wish I could do swim lessons with him sooner but I can't. I just don't see how it would work unless I got a babysitter for my younger son and did the mommy and me ones, and thats not really an option for us. We don't go swimming a lot either and he is pretty afraid of water. I am afraid that I am depriving him or something, but really I think he is fine!

My daughter took a child/parent class starting at nine months. She continued with classes and got so adjusted to the water, that they moved her up to the two year old class a few months early. She has been swimming without me ever since.

Anne-Marie,

My husband taught swimming lessons for years and I taught gymnastics and we had the same experience: Putting babies and toddlers in lessons is cute and fun, but it doesn't give them any real advantage over the child who starts between age 5-7. We always taught our own children just by playing in the water with them and getting them comfortable. (That's what they do in those "tot" lessons anyway. No one actually learns to "swim.") When our children were actually ready to learn to swim (not just blow bubbles and splash) around age 5, we put them in lessons, starting with level 1 or level 2 according to Red Cross system.

Most Red Cross certified instructors won't accept kids into Level 1 until they are 5 anyway. My kids advanced very quickly without tot lessons. Usually 2-4 weeks of lessons and they could advance to the next level. This summer is a good time to start your son. For your daughter, just take her to the pool and play with her. Help her to feel comfortable, put her face in the water, hold her breath and blow bubbles, kick her feet, etc.

As far as safety goes, I have heard the arguement that parents should put their children in swim lessons when they are very little in case the child falls in the pool. Again, children don't actually gain enough skills to stay afloat until they are about a level 2, which happens between the ages of 5-7. You haven't put your son at any kind of a disadvantage by not putting him in swim lessons until now.

Good luck,
S.

Hi Anne-Marie,

My oldest son started swim lessons when he was 5. My youngest started when he was 5, also, but he didn't like it, so he didn't go again until he was about 8. I was worried because he hadn't been to swim lessons, but they let him take the tests for each year he missed and was in his age group by day 3. So even if your son is older he will probably glide thru the lessons at a quicker pace, so there is probably nothing for you to worry about.

C.

Both my sister and I started very young. My sister was jumping off the diving board as soon as she could walk so under a year old. We put our two kids in around 6mo to a year. The sooner the better I say. My kids are now 6 almost 7 and 9 and both LOVE the water.

My youngest will be taking swimming lessons for the first time this summer and he is 5. I started his older brother at the same age.

I started my son at 9 months, but that was just to get him so he wasn't afraid of water. They don't really learn any skills that young. He is now 3 and still in parent/child classes (Should be moving up in the next session) and he still won't go on his back, but he does love the water. I don't think there is any perfect age to get your children in classes, I think it depends on whatever you want to do and whatever you can afford. I love the water so this gave me the chance to get in the water and bond too :)

You've gotten some great responses and I just wanted to say thanks for this question. I some friends who have been pressuring me into this too. I really appreciate everyone's responses and support to follow my common sense!

Last summer I took my DS to Mom/Baby swim class when he was 9 months old. It was more for fun and to get comfortable in the water. This summer we are taking Level 2. I am taking them through EP Community Ed since they are cheaper and I think spending a lot of money is a waste at that age.

My oldest was 3, my daughter was 2 which were in the same year. They used waterwings and parents were encouraged to stay and watch. The teacher had them all holding on the edge of the 3 feet and would take them out one at a time to teach how to float and such. My youngest was born in June so the next year when he was one, they offered a mom/tot class and I put us in that. All three are very good swimmers although none of them were interested in going on to the last classes as teens to become life guards. I thought I would check on the age they give lessons for now and see about putting my granddaughters in them.

Anne-Marie, my son and daughter began when my son was 2 and daughter 4. It was not too successful with my son (fear-very dependent. We waited a few years to start again and when we did my daughter was 7 and son 6. My daughter absolutely took off and now she has maxed out on the lessons and is ready to compete. My son had a hard time passing the first level and the instructor suggested we wait for him to get a little older-his coordination in the water was not as mature as my daughter's (he is two years younger). He is almost 8 and we are starting him again in first level this summer. I'm telling you this to say that you have to take cues from your children about their readiness and don't think they are behind if you try it and it doesn't work at first. I know a lot of people ahve said the younger the better because they get used to it and feel comfortable. that is probably treu but don't worry too much about it. Good luck!

Don't feel like you held your son back - I just started my son last month in sessions at the local YMCA and he is 5 now. I am glad I waited because there has been a couple of younger kids in the two sessions he has gone thru so so far and they have been absolutely terrified of the water.
J.

we have our kids in Foss and started them at 3 yrs old. My almost 4 yr old can swim by without assistance on his stomach with face in the water and on his back. My 6 yr old is in the class for 8-11 yr old kids and can swim the entire length of the pool.

Good luck

We actually started our son at 6 months and he is 22 months now and just loves the water! He is a little fish.

The place where we go starts them at 6 months and has them in the pool without a parent when they are 2. My almost-2 year old son can swim on his own about 5 feet, started doing that around 20 months or so. So what I'm saying is that you can definitely get your daughter into lessons and have her swimming already, if that's what you (and she!) want to do. Also, if you get him in a good program, I'm sure your son will be swimming around in no time. Don't stress out over it! :)

Anne-Marie, I've had my 1 year old in infant swim classes for the last 3 months. I think the sooner you get kids used to the water the better. Besides that it's loads of fun for my son...and my husband and me!
But don't worry, it's never too late. Good luck.

I don't think that there is any "right" time to start swimming lessons :) It really depends on the kid.

I started all the kids, except the youngest 2 (special needs) when they were in K or 1st grade, and my special kiddos are starting this year. They all do/have done the Red Cross program.

There are like 6 Red Cross levels (not including the toddler program) and starting when they are 6 gets them done when they are around 12/13, which is a good timeline, I think.

There are baby/toddler programs available, if you are interested, but don't feel like you've made a mistake if you decide not to do those.

Good luck!

I don't think that you need to feel like you've held your son back. The important thing is that he learn to swim! I tried the parent/tot classes with my son (now 8) thinking that earlier was better, but fast forward to when he started on his own at 3, he was so afraid and cried for the entire first 3 classes! So I waited with my daughter till she was 3 (now 5) and she was very fearful & cried at first as well. They've both overcome their fears and are now doing great! They will develop on their own. You do not need to worry about what the other children are doing!

If you spend a lot of time around the water it is good to start swimming lessons (or teaching them to swim yourself) as soon as you can.

When I was a swim instructor I saw kids as young as 2 years start... but really depends on the kid. Now they have toddler and infant "swim classes" which will just start to familiarize the child with the water and maybe start to pick up swimming movements.

Most kids are not coordinated enough to pick up the swimming strokes till 4-5 years old, but this varies, you know your child the best. I will be starting my daughter with swim lessons (or the toddler class) soon and she will be 3 years old in August.

You did not make a mistake, there is no set age for when to start. Just do what you think is best for your child.

I put my daughter's in swimming lessons last summer. They had just turned 3 & 5 and did just fine. You're son will do just fine in swimming lessons and will pick up the techniques quickly.

I don't think there's that big of a difference between 4 and 6 when it comes to things like this. Your son is at the right age where he has the physical ability and understanding to do what the instructors will ask of him and he will learn very quickly and that year or so won't be an issue at all. In my opinion, swimming lessons before about 5 are for fun and to get the child comfortable with the water, which does have benefit, but no long term impact on swimming technique.

I started my kids after their 2nd birthday. Looking back if I were going to do it again, I would probably wait until they were 3 or so. It seems like at that age they are able to pick up the skills they need to learn more easily.

I think it depends on the each kids personality for what age to start them. We started at preschool level, about 3, for both of my kids and my older daughter loved it and has continued. My youngest tried 2 sets of classes, didn't really like it, and we're taking a break. We'll try again in another year.

As to holding your son back, I wouldn't worry about that at all. They progress through the levels pretty quickly as they get older and it's for fun. My 7 year old was in level III with a 6 year old, 2 7 year olds, and 3 8-9 year olds. The ages really vary through the levels.

We did parent/child swim with our kids when they were 6 months. They are 4 1/2 and 3 now and still can't swim on their own. We did it to get them used to the water and for some great bonding time. I don't think your child will be "left behind." He will probably pick up on things faster because of his age.

Anne,

If you can swing it, get your daughter in the pool now. Most places have a mommy-n-me class. Thats were you are in the water with her. They learn how to front/back float, blow bubbles, reach n pull. My son is two and we are in the water together he loves the water. My other son didn't do lessons until he was 5 and he is just fine. You didn't hold him back. He will "catch up" at his own pace and be fine. We take lessons at the community college and just love the instructors. Good luck and happy swimming!

G.

I enrolled my son in April, he is 2. He loved it but was always cold but he does like the water. It doesnt matter what age you start he will do just fine at his age. Still swim lessons at age 2 they dont learn much the parents are in holdong them and they just teach them the basics like getting face wet, floting ect... Whatever age you start your kids will be fine its not a mistake if you dont start yoru kids early.

A local nursing home close to me had toddler swimming lessons. It wasn't for learning to swim but more to get them aquainted to the water. Both my girls went to that around 2yrs. My oldest didn't start taking actual swimming lessons until around age 5. Even then I only had her take the first two courses. She is 9 now and knows how to swim and get around in the water just fine.

We started both of our kids at 6 months, but I don't think there is a perfect age. Good luck!

I enrolled my son and I in a parent child course when he was 2, so he would be comfortable in the water. He really enjoyed the fact that Mommy also went in the water, and it was a way for me to learn what skills to work on with him while not at swim lessons. He also learned that it was important to listen to the teacher which was a big help once he graduated up to the preschool swim program.

Our daughter had private lessons at age 3 & 4 because the local pool doesn't start lessons until age 6 (the conceeded at age 5 she could go). So I don't think you have missed the boat. What's more important is the amount of time they spend at the pool. if they are there alot lessons are going to be a breeze for them. If your an occasional pool goer I would get them in right away. Also, as clarification - private lessons in our small town are high school girls that are lifeguards spending 45 minutes with your child one on one for a week. They do a great job and my daughter loved them, but the sound of "private lessons" is a little more pretensious than it really is.
Also, as a former lifeguard I have worked with my daughter since she was a baby at the pool - she's not a great swimmer, but she does well. But one rule we always had - EVERY trip to the pool she had to go under the water 1 time. Yes, when she was only a few months old. She was dunked under, her 1's and 2's she didn't always like it, but she did it. Now, she does feel comfortable putting her head under! That's one of the hardest areas to get a child used to! Good luck!!
J.
p.s. - don't ever let anyone make you feel like your making a mistake with your children! Remember they are YOUR children and we all make different choices for different reasons! I'm sure your a great mom!! :-)

I heard from a teacher at the YMCA that the kids don't actually (usually) learn how to swim until they are 3 or 4. Any swim lessons before that are purely social and to get them acclamated (sp?) to being in the water. My son didn't start learn till he was 4/5ish. My daughter is now 3 1/2 and can swim by herself under water having nothing to with swimming lessons but more because she is the second child, always exposed to swimming with her brother at the Y and started by seeing another girl going under water and wanting to do what she was doing. Within 2 weeks she was swimming. Don't sweat it. They'll get it when they are ready.

My recommendation is the YMCA. I've done the rec. department, but I've been more pleased with the progress at the YMCA. It was fine when they were younger & I was in the water with them. Don't feel bad that you haven't put them in yet or that its too late. My daughter is 9 and loves it. She has progressed a lot! My son was 6 (recently turned 7) and it was his 1st time in the water without me, and he too is moving right along and very comfortable in the water.

Anne-Marie,
We started our kids when they were 3. If you can afford it, a place like Foss will have them doing some actual "worthwhile" swimming at that age. They teach them water safety, floating, face in the water and so much more. For me, it's all about the safety. Good luck!

We started our girls when they turned 3 years old and we think it was the perfect time for them. It taught them a lot about being safe around the water and how to be comfortable in the water - not to be afraid of it.

Swimming lessons are like so many things in parenting (potty training, reading...) It is important that the learning happen, but it is not so important when. If your child has not had occasion to drown before now, then you have not "held him back"! Send him as soon as it works out for you (or teach him yourself, if you like) and protect him from deep water in the mean-time. If he is destined to be a natural swimmer, then it will show up whenever he learns and he will not have been "held back" from that, either. He will just learn at a very accelerated pace and reach his potential just as soon as he would have other-wise, as long as he is given the opportunity. Use the same concepts with your daughter. Do it when it works for you, and (much more importantly) when she wants to. It is mostly a waste of time to try to teach a child who doesn't want to learn, anyway. It can actually slow the whole thing down by giving them a negative feeling about the water. Just follow your children's leading in these things.

We started my son at about 18 months at Foss, but just start them when you feel ready...