Swimming lessons should be essential!

They are part of the national curriculum though? At least they are where I live...

School provides swimming lessons.

Tbh our children learnt a lot at school (but we have paid for swimming lessons too).

Their classes were doing great after school lessons. Also the kids not having lessons outside school.

Well, it's on the national curriculum, so it's not as though anyone's ignoring it. I have to say that I think the mildly hysterical SWIMMING IS AN ESSENTIAL LIFE SKILL AND YOU'RE A NEGLECTFUL PARENT IF YOU DON'T TEACH THEM BEFORE SCHOOL AGE!!! is a bit ridiculous. Statistics show that the vast majority of people who drown annually can swim, it just doesn't necessarily help if you're drunk, fall in fully dressed, get out of your depth, are used to a pool and find yourself in a rough sea or a cold lake, get pulled off a rock by a freak wave, drive off an unprotected pier in poor visibility etc.

The vast majority of accidental UK drownings from the last stats are men (over 80%), mostly middle-aged, and as most of them were actually engaged in swimming when they drowned, we conclude they were able to swim. It just didn't save them.

Adults who can't swim are far less likely to put themselves in danger in the water, so ironically, are less likely to drown trying to rescue someone else, or a pet, or to be on a boat.

They don’t actually learn to swim as babies. It’s good if they can learn to tread water as soon as they’re old enough. Ideally they never have floatation devices so they always know the danger or water and are never left alone near water. Also pretty sure lots of
drowning is people who think they can swim and get overconfident.

It should be essential.
But an be difficult with waiting lists, transport to pools, time constraints etc.

There needs to be more investment in pools.

I waited until DD was 5. She could have started at 4 but I wanted her to be old enough to listen and follow instructions safely. DS I'll attempt at 4 and see how he goes, we've taken him as a family since he was six weeks old the older one was affected by shielding so had less experience.

I missed lessons as a kid due to ear issues. Once I was given the all clear at 11 I'd never learned. Still annoyed at my parents for not putting me in for lessons at that point but couldn't afford them for me. Therefore I'm an adult that can't swim. Started lessons and had a couple of months worth and then were cancelled due to Covid. Now moved and can't find any lessons that aren't an hour away or on days when I'm working unfortunately.

My kids absolutely have no choice, with me not swimming and their dad being a crap swimmer they definitely need to learn and be half decent at it. None negotiable in our household.

Both mine had swimming lessons because I thought it was a good idea and they enjoyed swimming but tbh I think essential is overstating it. I can’t swim myself for instance. I survive by going nowhere near water.

What about those of us who can't afford it though?

It is essential. That's why it is part of the national curriculum. That's isn't enough though. Parents do need to add to what schools must provide.

Yes if you are able to afford it and secure a place. Both can be an issue for a lot of families.

Year 4 or 5 is far too late!

My son has been having lessons since a tiny baby. He is super confident and can swim 10m but messes around in lessons so still stuck k stage 2 at age 6. He did a week long crash course over summer and there were 3 boys ages 8-12 who could not swim. They looked so embarrassed.

Take kids swimming. Wet their head, submerge them and let them have fun and make it normal.

Agreed. My now 7 year old starting lessons as a baby and he screamed bloody murder the first couple of times but the teacher was amazing and reassured me that he would get used to it and he did of course. He knows that swimming is a non negotiable activity as it's so important. My 1 year old started his swimming lessons last month and he loves it. We very much struggle with money but their child benefit money pays for their lessons. I don't see it as optional.

Swimming lessons for children are essential. Swimming lessons for babies and toddlers are a nice activity and a great way to get accustomed to the water - not an essential.

For one thing, let's not put pressure on exhausted postpartum women to pull out the swimwear

They sort of are. I'm sure every primary school has to offer a week or two of swimming in year 4 or 5. It won't actually teach them to swim well, but it might help them not get into trouble.