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Original poster

Learning to swimming

15 replies

NoMatch4Me · 04/08/2025 15:57

What is the best age to start introducing your DC to swim?

I can't swim and I have always felt like it would be pointless now for me to try and learn, so I rarely go to swimming pools and in the sea, etc. However, I now have my own DC and am conscious of all the 'normal' things I was deprived of in my childhood which I don't want to affect them. Swimming is generally a life skill, after all. DC is almost 1 so I think now would be a good time to start thinking about introducing it.

So my question really is how would I approach this when I dont have that skill set to learn from? If it's relevant, I am a lone parent so there isn't really anyone else to step in and help.

TIA

OP posts:

Decafcoflove · 04/08/2025 15:58

We started very young ie 6 months

then 1-2-1 lessons from 5 (pricey but so worth it)

and now the pair of them are formidable swimmers. Much stronger than me. Both in swim teams.

Decafcoflove · 04/08/2025 15:59

You should also learn

otherwise holidays where there are pools are going to be fraught with anxiety

toastofthetown · 04/08/2025 16:02

I take my four month old swimming, and we’re in a small group with instructors. I’m on the water with him but always at standing height so wouldn’t need to be able to swim myself. Then they get to a point where they go in without you, but at under one you’re probably not near that point yet!

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Octavia64 · 04/08/2025 16:06

Most people sign their kids up to swimming lessons in a group from about 3. You can do mum and baby swimming or 1:1 earlier but it’s more expensive. I didn’t because I had twins and they wanted 1 adult per child.

below 3 it’s mostly about water familiarisation. Most under 3s don’t really have the co-ordination to get far on learning to swim.

Allthebestaregone · 04/08/2025 16:10

Are there any community centre/clubs near you that have short course or full size swimming pools that offer lessons?
Often there are baby and mother swim times which as the child gets a little older become swimming lessons.

I second what a previous poster said that you should sign up for lessons as well.
You are quite right it is a life skill.

I think you're very smart OP for wishing your children to learn to swim, and to practice in pools whenever possible.
Lessons will never be wasted, it is a valuable and life-saving skill to learn.

Glittersparkles28 · 04/08/2025 16:12

Decafcoflove · 04/08/2025 15:59

You should also learn

otherwise holidays where there are pools are going to be fraught with anxiety

Agreed and that’s the reason I took myself off to adult swimming lessons in my late 40’s. I started scared of even putting my face in the water and finished being able to front crawl 50 metres and dive in. It took me 10 months and while I much prefer breast stroke these days it’s given me confidence and the ability to be able to join in on holiday. Instead of anxiously sat on the side watching my children, I can get in with them. I wasn’t the oldest person there and what also surprised me were how many adult non-swimmers there are!

Avocadohoho · 04/08/2025 16:16

Mine had lessons from aged 3.

B0D · 04/08/2025 16:17

You can learn now alongside your child. Look into baby classes first. These are I. The learner pool and you will be standing getting your baby (and yourself) used to the water. Our local authority runs adult coaching sessions and 1:1 lessons too. You. Might be able to join these when your son / daughter gets a little older. It’s definitely worth learning and you will be confident taking your child in the pool or sea

Thatcannotberight · 04/08/2025 16:18

I can't swim either. Both of my children went to group lessons at the local leisure centre from 3 years old. One swam competitively later, and one is a very confident cold water swimmer.

Original poster

NoMatch4Me · 04/08/2025 16:33

It's actually refreshing to hear that I'm not the only adult who can't swim here.

I've just been looking on our local leisure centre app, they offer mum and baby sessions for £24 per month which is on a day I'm off work so I've signed us up to the waiting list as August is full. They also do adult swimming lessons on an evening, which isn't practical with my circumstances right now but may be doable next year.

Does anyone know if a membership includes these classes? Im just wondering cost-wise what would be the most resourceful route.

OP posts:

citychick · 04/08/2025 16:49

Swimming teacher here.
Swim England learn to swim program begins age 4. Parent out of the water. Local authority pools will offer good value, but larger classes.
Often they have age 3 to 4 preschoolers small classes with teacher out of water and parents in or even parents out and 4 to 6 preschoolers . They might also offer parent and baby /parent and toddler classes. You'll need to research.

I would imagine most local pools will have one membership for you and one for your child, if you are both taking classes.

There are also smaller private schools that offer small classes and are.more expensive but generally get children swimming faster and in smaller, warmer and more nurturing environments.

Remember you can give your child water experiences in the bath tub and shower. Make use of Bath toys and get them used to having water on their faces.

Also, I would advise not to talk about "dirty swimming pool water" . This just messes with their brains and water experiences and slows down progress.

FINALLY...I'd suggest spending money on small classes til say, stage 3 and then moving to cheaper classes. Once they've covered the basics, the rest will be leant as they grow physically and mentally.

Good luck!

Fifthtimelucky · 04/08/2025 16:54

I started taking mine swimming at around 6 months I think. Even if you can’t swim yourself you can take them in the baby pool and play either them so that they become confident in the water.

They had formal lessons from the age of 3 or 4 I think.

I agree with others that you should definitely try to learn too. It’s never too late. My father didn’t learn until his 60s!

Decafcoflove · 04/08/2025 17:00

NoMatch4Me · 04/08/2025 16:33

It's actually refreshing to hear that I'm not the only adult who can't swim here.

Does anyone know if a membership includes these classes? Im just wondering cost-wise what would be the most resourceful route.

Very unlikely gym membership will include swim lessons

Glittertwins · 04/08/2025 17:54

Mine started swimming lessons at 3 years old although we did take them to the pools when they were smaller. I couldn’t teach them myself because I had twins and the ratio was 1-1 at that age and also because swimming lessons took over the baby pool.
One stopped at reaching county level, the other is still swimming at national level.

LollyWillow · 04/08/2025 18:25

I learnt to swim at 60, OP. I saved up for private 1 to 1 lessons and it was one of the best things I've ever done. I really love it and nobody thought it was remotely strange that was learning so late.
I know this isn't answering your question, but I want to say that I really wish that I had learnt at the same time as my children were having lessons. I missed out on so much.

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