When Did Your Child Start Swim Lessons?

My daughter started when she was 10 months. Why so early? Because she was around a swimming pool every day. She's 5-1/2 now and still taking lessons, and will be competing this summer.

I think it's good to start them early, but I think you'd be ok waiting, too.

No, I don't think it's very useful. When he gets to be five and going on playdates without you, he may find himself at a house with a pool, and so then you'll want him to know how to keep afloat. Before then, just have fun with him when you are around water. I think people are nutty about signing their kids up for stuff. Wait until it makes sense or until they're actually interested in it! Otherwise you'll be one of these people who is running around from thing to thing and no one is able to enjoy anything.

I don't see the warning about the kid who sreams thru each lesson.
I made one of mine stick to it, and she did learn, but the next kid went a little older and no tears no fears. I saw other mothers with kids who had no joy in those classes, and at least one just stopped going which is a waste of money.... So if the kid wants to go....

At 2.5, he can take lessons, but it is certainly not necessary. And any lessons should be about having fun, feeling okay about putting his face in the water, paddling with his hands/feet a bit, and being safe. And they had better include a parent! I cannot imagine a teacher with even just 5 kids this age being able to provide enough safety.
At any rate, don't expect him to be an independent swimmer for a year or two. If you don't have a pool he is around much at all, I would go ahead and wait. I haven't looked, but I bet if you checked out Olympic swimmers, they didn't all start lessons at 2 or 3. Early start doesn't mean better progess (and, depending on his personality, putting him in a formal class before he's ready could turn him off to the whole thing)

I started taking our daughter (20 months old) just last month, to get her comfortable w/the water and to be aware of safety around it/in it. I don't know if you live near a YMCA, but the cost of their swim lessons are reasonable ($39 bought me 8 half-hour lessons -- we go 2x/week), and they're fun -- lots of singing and splashing.

I think swim lessons are very important. And the earlier you start the better in my opinion. The older they are, sometimes the more resistant they are to put their face/head under water. You can find inexpensive lessons many places, our CSD offers swim lessons for only $7/lesson. Even if you are only around a pool once a year, that's enough for me to worry about his safety. Also, children can drown in very little water that can be found in all sorts of places around the house, including the bath tub. It would be very beneficial to have him learn how to hold his breath and know what to do around any type of water.

my kids started at 15 months.......... I think the sooner the better.... then they are use too it...they are not crying in class and they are more focused.

I started my daughter at 3 and I thought that was perfect. I didn't have to get in the water with her and she wasn't scared. There were a couple of 2 year old boys in her class who were really never able to learn anything because they were crying and trying to get out of the pool the whole time! I would say if you're confident he'll be able to get in the pool and enjoy the time, take him. If not, there's no hurry to wait one more year.

First son started at 4. Second son will start at 3.5. We don't have a pool but have access to one, so a few times during the summer they'll use it. My kids love to play in water, but not necessarily swim. I also didn't want anyone (them, me or other care givers) to have a false sense of security thinking that if they had swim lessons they knew how to swim. Even after swim lessons, I think 4 (alsmost 5) is too young to really know how to swim. Take your time.

Glad you asked the question becasue I'm curious as well. I took DS #1 to formal lessons when he was 2 & it was a huge waste of money, imo. He was clinging to me nearly the entire time. We are in a pool a few times over the summer & that's it, so I didn't take him to lessons at all last summer (I had just had DS #2, so that was my excuse!). Now that he's almost 4, I'm wondering about lessons again. But still, he'll actually be in a pool just a handful of times over the summer. I just don't see the point of actual "lessons" until he's older, personally. But I agree with other parents - do what makes you comfortable. If you're nervous that he'll be in trouble without lessons because of safety issues, then do it! Good luck!

We didn't start swimming until the kids were 3.75 and they're still taking weekly lessons and now they're 7. 2.5 might still be too young, unless you're in the water with them. My pool requires that if the child is under 3, the parents must be in with them. It's really to make them feel comfortable in the water. I personally did not want to start out that way since I already have needy kids, and if I was in there with them, they'd never let go and learn on their own. We've been to Hawaii several times and I'm completely comfortable with them in the water by themselves and they know how to be water safe. I didn't take lessons myself until I was 8 and by then it was too late for me because I was scared of the water. Good luck!

We have a pool, so I felt like lessons were really important to us. We have been doing mommy and me classes since my children we nine months old. I found very reasonably priced classes at our local rec center, so we did not go to some of the "trendy" and expensive places our friends were going to for lessons. We started out just going to get our kids comfortable in the water, we had no expectations of them being early swimmers. At 2.5 my son could swim under water, but he was far from an expert :). I don't think he learned any real independent swimming until he was in the three year old class without me. So if I was in your position I would wait until he is 3, unless you are just looking for a fun activity to do together.

I started my daughter in swim lessons at 6 months, she is 20 months now and swimming on her own. She loves the water, its a great work out for all of us, and, she's completely exhausted when she gets home...so I get a good nap out of it too.

I am an experienced swim instructor/former lifeguarr. I can tell you I have taught only one 2 year old and the only thing I accomplished with the young toddler was getting him to go under the water without being afraid.

In my experience, the peak age would be 4-5 years old. At this age, the kids are not terrified of drowning yet which makes them more trusting of the instructor and more willing to try new things. (Floating for example can be very scary for a kid, they feel very vulerable, especially when they figure out I'm no longer holding them).

I am planning on teaching my two year old next year, though. We live by a pond so I want to try to get him swimming as soon as possible, but even at that age, it's iffy. One big hurdle is getting them to learn to hold thier breath under water. That may be all I accomplish at age 3, but he will also be more comfortable in the water for the next season.

Good luck.

I started swimming with my son when he was around 5 months old. I put him into private swimming lessons at the end of the next summer when he was 18 months old.

I just started swim lessons for my daughter this week and she is 5. However, I think I should ahve started them last year, she is behind everyone else!

My son is 1 and I will be starting his lessons at 3 or 4.

I had my kids in the water with me from the time they were infants. I think it's best just to get them used to it when they're little babies.
Even though I taught them to swim and they were great swimmers, I still put them in lessons though, they loved it. My son was actually the youngest on his swim team with advanced swimmers, he was such a little fish.
I don't think it's ever too early to start lessons and water safety, but I suppose it depends on the child.

Best wishes!

my daughter was 18 months when I started lessons. At that age it is an infant survival class - you can google ISR.com and see if they are in your area? being around water so much it is sooo important, I live in FL. the instructor teaches them how to float & swim to the wall.

I never think it is too young to teach them to swim, especially if they are ever around water..........to many kids drown from being around water somewhere......

Have you looked at the YMCA and see if it is cheaper? I taught my kids to swim, but then I was in swim classes alot as a kid because my mom was an instructor. She learned when her dad took her out in the middle of the lake and threw her in.......don't recommend that!!!!

The younger they are the better sometimes they pick things up......it's up to you, but if he is ever around a pool or a body of water, make sure he has on some sort of water vest......

Good Luck and take care.

My son is 31 months old and we are about to start swim classes with the YMCA. I think it is important for him to be comfortable around water. I have considered the baby survival classes---just to help ease my mind some. My son also hates to have his hair washed so I am hoping it will help with that as well.

Started my son at 1-1/2 yrs old in lessons at the Community College. I think the most import thing they gain at that age is seeing the other kids in the water, how to get to the edge of the pool and not to panic. We are going back for more lessons this year. Lessons at Cosumnes River College (Sacramento) were great for us.

I don't think it's absolutely necessary to give him swim lessons this year, but I do think you should take him swimming and at least make sure he's comfortable in the water. Get him a flotation device and take him swimming and just play with him in the water. Get him used to holding his breath (blow in his face and when he catches his breath, submerse him.) At least if he's comfortable around water and knows how to hold his breath, he won't panic if he does happen to fall in.

Mine started at six months old. Go to infantswim.com, it's really, really cool.

I, too, started my kids pretty early with swim lessons - including the mommy and me swim classes. I look back and I think a lot of it was a waste of money, though, I think most of the time my kids enjoyed it. Now my kids are 8 and 11 and there are fewer kids in the swimming lessons, which is weird because now is when they can actually learn something and refine their swimming skill. When I see the parents take their fearful 3-5 year old kids and the kids are just crying the entire time I shake my head. I feel that in general there is this fear amongst parents that if they don't introduce a particular sport at a young age, the child will never learn it. So, as a consequence, you have babies "learning" to swim. And there a feeling that, if everyone else is doing it so should we. I personally think that most kids aren't coordinated enough to learn to swim until age 4 or 5, at the earliest. The toddler lessons are for fun and they make the parent feel good about themselves.

Hi J. - it's never too early to start to learn how to handle themselves in the water. My sis took her son as a baby to a "water survival class" and has been doing swimming lessons ever since. We started our kids at 1 yr with a "water babies" class and they go for 6-8 weeks every summer for lessons at our neighborhood pool.

My daughter is three and will be taking swim lessons at the Y in a couple weeks. It was only $75 for non-members.

There is no "right" time to start swimming lessons :) If you don't think it is necessary, then you are probably right - no one knows your child better than you do. All 6 of my kids have taken/are taking swimming lessons, but no one started before the age of 5 or 6 and we live in the land of 10,000 lakes! Also, I never thought of swimming lessons as being the place to actually LEARN how to swim, but rather to teach and refine specific skills.

If you are interested in teaching your child to swim, you can do so yourself :) Spend a day or two a week at the beach or a local pool. Make it fun and stress-free - you will be surprised how much they pick up at this age. Don't worry about style or skills, just doggie paddling around for grins is good enough.

Good luck!

I had swim lessons as a child. It was great for learning the basics, but beyond that, I don't remember anything except the trauma of being made to jump off the high dive. My mom pulled me out after yelling at the instructor! To this day the deep end scares me, although I hide it. I would hope that most instructors don't push where kids are truly scared. If you are planning to live at the pool, or at a house with a pool, it might be a good idea. But for most people, their kids just need the basics. My husband and I have been working with our kids since my oldest was 18 months. Teaching them to kick and move their arms right, floating, going under water, and safety around the pool. For just playing in the pool and having fun, you don't need anything more detailed. But it is important to make sure they are acquainted with and know how to be safe in the water as early as possible. We are moving to a house with a pool in a month, and I am not worried. The only other thing I might recommend, is that your make sure you are ready. Can you swim holding a child and do CPR? That was something I made sure of.

my daughter is 5 and has never taken swim lessons. She can swim across the pool and back by herself now. We live in so cal and are at the pool every single day in the summer. We were able to teach her ourselves and she is doing great. I grew up on swim team and and played water polo, and my husband was a life guard at one time, so we know a lot about water safety and how to teach her to swim. Our son who is almost 3 is still learning, but we are teaching him, and he is doing great for his age. So, if you are able to teach her your self, then go ahead and save the money and skip the lessons.

My daughter is 17 months, and I'm thinking about doing swim lessons this summer. I can definitely understand the point about taking early swim lessons for the sake of being safe around water, but I view infant swim lessons more as an opportunity to do something fun with my daughter. I think she'll enjoy it because she loves water, but if she doesn't we'll try again when she's older.

Do what's right for you and your child. My kids learned to swim late despite early swim lessons. Some kids learn earlier, mine were just not ready. Most of the kids I've seen taking lessons at 2.5 years are just getting comfortable with the water. Your child will not be behind if you wait another year. Instead he may be more ready to listen and follow directions better and get more our of a swim lesson.

Honestly I think it peer pressure for many parents to have their kids in as much as possible to keep up with those in our area. They also go beyond water-safety as a good portion have them on swim teams as well. It is wise to start early but, as another responder brought out, it depends on how likely they will be around a pool/lake without your direct supervision.

If and when you think he's ready, you can always put him in a couple summer sessions at Joinville in San Mateo just to get him comfortable and teach the basics.

I took my son just before his 2nd birthday and will continue this summer. He loves the water as well and I think it's easier for him to know how to swim and float (in case of an accidental fall) now than later.

Oh--this is just the beginning! LOL There's always "something" that "everyone" is doing! If you want to do it--go ahead. If you want to wait, then wait. My son (7) has never had formal swimming lessons. He does pretty well in a pool and I think I might sign him up this year before vacation just to refine his doggie paddle!

My kids started at 15 months.

My Son started just a little after turning 2. He did wonderful! We went to the Friendship Center. They were AWESOME!!

I need an answer to this question, thanks.

My son just turned 4 and we are starting swim lessons next month. I have read (& heard) that starting too early can create a false sense of security around water. Cal has always loved the water (despite not having swim lessons until this point) and is now really excited about learning how to swim like a "big kid"! Good luck in your decision making!

We just did swim lessons for our girls (4yo and 2yo) last week.
We're not around water a lot, but I thought they would enjoy it so I signed them up for lessons through the Parks & Rec.
For approx $35/girl they got 5 30-minute lessons.
The 2yo was in a parent participation class, and was more about familiarizer the child with the water. (She did learn how to get out of the pool by climbing out the side.)
The 4yo learned about water safety, and a little how to use her arms and legs in unison.
I think each girl was being taught four basic principles and at the end they got a little "report card" which showed which of the principles they mastered.
I remember the 4yo had mastered "jumping to instructor from side" and "laying on her back (floating)". She almost mastered using her arms and legs in unison (and I don't recall what the fourth principle was).
We haven't had the opportunity to go to the pool since their swim lessons ended, but I'm very interested to see how much they remember and how much bolder they're be in the water.

Hello J.,
Becasue we lived in Guam, our children were in the water by age 4 months so they were body surfing on waves with our help, when we moved back to the states we were around little water so waited until 31/2 with the others.
BUT we did have a small pool in the yard and taught them water safety and wasgoood and bad water behavior. I know of a child that drowned and it has been a heartbreak. But you can teach many things in your own tub-- holding the breath,what it feels like to have face in the water, and to talk undderwater so they are not fearful but are cautious. Enjoy your little one!