Never too young to swim
Group: Parenting Tips
Never too young to swim
We started swim lessons this past summer/fall with my now 18-month-old son (then 14 months old). We had just moved to a house on the water, and I wanted him to be able to survive if he ever fell in, and someone wasn’t right there to grab him immediately. I have been more than pleased with our decision to do lessons! We went the Infant Swim Rescue (ISR) route, which teaches young children (under the age of 2) to learn to right themselves in the water and float until they are rescued. It has given me a huge sense of relief to know that my son can float if he ever falls in the water! Has anyone else put their babies in lessons?
http://www.breastfeedbabywearclothdiaper.com/infant-swim-lessons
http://www.breastfeedbabywearclothdiaper.com/infant-swim-lessons
I did and it didn’t go so well so we are about to try again. We did private lessons and my daughter was very defiant and made it difficult for her instructor to make progress. I’m wondering if I should try a group class next to see if other kids will motivate her to learn. I’m not sure if she has a fear of going underwater or if she just hates getting her face wet, but it’s a problem at swim lessons, bathtime and at the beach. I’m looking forward to getting her in a good class to get over this hump!
Here’s a link to what the American Academy of Pediatrics says about swim training.
http://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/pages/AAP-Gives-Updated-Advice-on-Drowning-Prevention.aspx
We attempted swim lessons when my son was 2 and like Stephanie they didn’t go well. My son was not pleased that I wasn’t in the water, so I think a parent/child class would probably work better. However, we practice water safety at every bath – I have him put his chin in the water, then his nose, and I have him practice holding his breath while his nose is under. We also practice kicking (OK, sometimes I regret this part when I am mopping up after) and I repeat ad naseum about never going near a pool/water without a grown-up. I don’t think you can start too young Kristen!
I strongly feel that children need to take swim lessons. My daughter took them beginning at 18 months. Yes she cried at first, but eventually they get over it and learn to enjoy it. It really is for their own good. She took more of a rescue/swim class, They learn to float, grab the wall, and even how to swim in full clothing (diaper, shoes, and all). In reality if your child falls in the water, they will not be in a bathing suit so they need to learn how to swim in all situations. We reinforce the lessons every summer and by age 2 my daughter was an excellent swimmer. Definitely well worth the money spent on lessons. 🙂
SO glad you posted this! My daughter is only 6 months, so we have some time but clearly it’s something to think about in the next year or two. I can’t swim well, and I don’t want her to go that route (especially growing up in Florida.) I’m all for it!!
One of the girls that had a lesson before my son’s daily lessons was around 6 months old and had been taking lessons for around 4-5 weeks by that point! So it really is never too early to start! She was good too…could float like a champ! 😉