Kids swimming lessons

[tabithaa]

I am looking to get my kids in swimming lessons, how long did it take your little ones to swim? Did it help?

[jimijack]

It's a life skill isn't it so to that end it really did help yes.
Mine is 4, been doing since Feb, it's taking ages but he loves it, has great fun, it's just for him as he tends to be dragged along to his older brothers hobbies.
Really not bothered or interested in how long it 'll take, every kid is different, I just take him every week and know he enjoys it.

[fiftyplustwo]

I only remember my own swimming lessons, and they were over a summer, every weekday for a couple of weeks, a summer swimming school. Sure it helped.

[Trb17]

DD started proper weekly lessons at 4 or 5. Within a year she had decent skills but kept going to lessons until she was 9.

[Opentoadvice]

Dd has just turned 4. We did 1-2-1s. She was independently swimming after 6 but only to the extent that if she jumps in, she would resurface and then "swim" to the side.
Now we've had about 14 and she can jump in, swim half a length then flip over and swim on her back, dive under the water between my legs etc. I felt confident enough you've sat on the side whilst she and her brother were swimming together in the adult pool of our gym. At no point in that pool can her feet touch the bottom.

[TheOldestCat]

DD started weekly lessons at 6 and was swimming within a few weeks.

DS started at 4.5 and it took 18 months for him to get it! (He has dyspraxia).

Lessons definitely helped for us though. When I took them swimming they just wanted to have fun doing handstands and mucking around (nowt wrong with that, but I needed someone to give them some instruction). Also as I work it was hard to find the time to get to the pool - having lessons helped us do that.

[purplecoathanger]

Mine all learn at the swimming club. They have small classes and really concentrate on teaching them to swim well on all four strokes.

[reallyanotherone]

It's all water confidence until 5 or 6. Until then it's just as good for you to take them weekly and learn to love the water.

Find a swimming club and ask about their learn to swim section.

[Lucked]

I am starting both of mine now, oldest is 5 youngest is 3. I think 3 is a bit young for paying attention in lessons but they will go together. I expect to be paying for lessons for a most of primary school but we may take breaks if their progress halts and I feel they need to grow physically or mentally.

[gamerwidow]

Dd didn't start lessons until she was 6 but after 2 terms could swim a width unaided on front and back.

[wonkylegs]

DS1 started weekly group lessons at 5 because we moved here and I suddenly could arrange them, but our local pool will take them from 3.
He could swim within a few months, he could swim well after a year and he now is an excellent swimmer (far far better than his parents & competes) at nearly 9yrs old.
He was confident in water before we started lessons though and I think this can be some of the battle when they first start.

[MiladyThesaurus]

It really depends on how well you want them to be able to swim. And also whether you can afford to pay for individual lessons or whether they'll be in group lessons.

Lessons definitely help them to learn to swim. Some kids will find it easier to have an instructor in the water with them (particularly at the start) rather than someone trying to convey information from the side of the pool. Others will do brilliantly in any situation.

DS1 started lessons at 5 and just did his stage 8 badge at 7 (so he can swim 400m). But he was able to swim to the point where he didn't need much supervision in the water and could dive into the swimming pool in holiday before he turned 6. He's still not allowed in the pool on his own but he's a better swimmer than I am.

[Bert2e]

Mine both started as tiny babies and could swim 20m by age 4. I'm sure it was because they learnt to swim out of their depth and couldn't put their feet on the floor which is what happens in most learners pools. I agree that it is mainly about water confidence in the early stages - it's great to see them throwing themselves in the deep end (under supervision of course) as soon as they can walk and then moving on to diving at 3.

[tabithaa]

My youngest went every Sunday and didn't seem to get anywhere. My oldest still on the waiting list.

Tried taking them 2 nights every week ourselves but got no where!

Will have a look at different places as I'm able to drive now.

[tabithaa]

And by did it help I meant to say did it take more than one session/block (obviously everyone is different) Baby brain!!

[TooStressyForMyOwnGood]

Hello, I am looking into this myself atm. There is such a long waiting list for the local leisure centres but private swimming clubs are double the price! Have seen big improvements in friends' children with lessons so think it is worth it. Just not sure if it is worth the private prices.

[MiladyThesaurus]

Yes. It takes more than one session and several blocks before they're swimming recognisable strokes.

I agree that pools where they're out of their depth force swimming in ways that a shallow pool doesn't.

[Eolian]

It's not really a case of them suddenly being able to swim and that's it. It's a gradual process. So yes of course swimming lessons help, but they don't go from non-swimmer to capable swimmer in one block!

[tabithaa]

TooStressyForMyOwnGood - Waiting lists are very long here too. I am able to drive now so going to look tonight at places.

Just looking to get my kids 100% confident, they slash about etc but cling on to you majority of the time.

My mum is terrified of water as she nearly drowned when younger so never really got took swimming, I'm not the best myself but can swim. I'm not hugely confident in deep water etc and not wanting kids to feel like that.

Just had a quick browse, one on one privates are pretty pricey at the first place I have looked.

[tabithaa]

Yeah I wasn't expecting them to be a fish after one block! Was just looking for information on length etc. Cheers!

[Cutesbabasmummy]

DS started at 4 months old. He's now two and trying to doggy paddle. He love his lessons - squeaks of excitement and big smiles. Daddy goes in with him

[tabithaa]

Aw that's great cutesbabasmummy. My oldest is 8, just hope I haven't left it too late to gain her confidence.

[Allyg1185]

I started my son just after his 5th birthday. Hes now on his fourth term block of classes and he can swim with no arm bands ( so about 11 months ). Its a once a week class and others have said is a very important life skill

[tabithaa]

Thanks Allyg. That's awesome, will get in contact with all the swimming places tonight and hopefully get in somewhere.

[Looneytune253]

We've just done it ourselves and tbh thought we were getting nowhere but with a big push recently it just seemed to click. She's 6. My eldest learned relatively easily at a similar age too. I'd suggest just taking them yourselves once or twice a week.

[Cutesbabasmummy]

Never too late to learn. My youngest BIK learned so he could swim in his honeymoon!