Non swimmer out of depth

[Bramblecrest]

DD (4) is about to start swimming lessons at school.

She's tiny and will be completely out of her depth,but the swimming teacher says no armbands and that they should use noodles only.

I can see the logic in this however, almost all the other children will be able to stand up. If DD let's go of the noodle she'll go under.

There will be swim teacher not in pool and parent helper in pool, 10 children.

AIBU to feel uncomfortable? Maybe I'm just an over anxious parent

she'll be fine!

Hmm. Ds couldn't touch the bottom at 4, but it was 1 teacher in the pool with 4 kids and he reliably never let his noodle go. I wouldn't feel great about that ratio if she's out of her depth tbh.

Can you volunteer as an additional parent helper?

By being out the pool the teacher has a better view of all the children so able to identify problems faster than if they are in the pool.
Noodles promote far better swimming technique. This is very normal for swimming lessons.

My son has never used arm bands, he's been having swimming lessons without me since he was 2.5yrs, using a noodle. He's been fine!

It's how they learn. Armbands teach them nothing about natural bouyancy and how to hold their body in the water. Same with being out their depth, otherwise they'll over rely on being able to touch the floor.

Armbands actually inhibit movement therefore make it harder to learn to swim. Your daughter will be totally fine! Don't flap about it or she'll pick up your anxiety.

It's standard. My DS is tiny, isn't a 'natural' when it comes to swimming, and he's been going s8nce he was 4 and couldn't touch the bottom. Same number of kids I the class.

He's always been fine

I would not be overly happy with the ratio of adults to children to be honest ...

My 2 DC went to swimming lessons in a pool where they could not touch the bottom (and used noodles and not arm bands). Their friends all went to a different pool where the lessons took place in the 'baby pool' where they could touch the bottom. My DC learned to swim far quicker. Not scientific, granted, but I have no regrets.

Why will she let go off the noodle?

I was a swimming teacher for years, arm bands are awful for exactly what pps have said. Noodles are fine and really helpful.

Bear in mind that of your dd does go under she can learn to "jump" to the surface for help. It shouldn't be so deep where they are teaching that she couldn't do that if there did happen to be an issue.

She'll soon sprout and be able to stand on her tippy toes. Try not to stress, it'll rub off on her. Easier said than done I know!

I had the exact same worry when my DD started preschool lessons, she's now 5 and hasn't went under yet. It made for uncomfortable viewing at times when the teacher was dealing with another child and the rest are all bobbing along.

Tbh, I think swimming 'lessons' for ch under 7 is pointless anyway. My dd had lessons from 5 until 10 and only really learnt to swim around 7. My friend took her dd to the pool at weekends, splashed about to get her used to the water, then did 6 months of lessons, aged 8 and she picked it up straight away!

I've never seen armbands used for swimming lessons. It's really hard to move your arms in them and the hold you at a very unatural angle.

Noodles are absolutely standard and your DD will be fine. She'll be happy going under fairly quickly, many young children find it easier to swim underwater than above it.

Please don't let your nervousness show to your DD. Give it a few lessons before you write it off as a bad idea.

I used to be a swimming teacher, I would use a noodle over arm bands but ALWAYS got in the pool with the kids who couldn't touch the floor. When it comes to your child safety your never being unreasonable to be anxious. Tell them your concerns and ask that the parent helper be close by to your child during the lesson. This is perfectly reasonable.....water is bloody dangerous and it only takes seconds to drown, voice your concerns and have no regrets.

she'll be fine.
much better ime to learn without fixed aids (armbands etc)

Not sure lessons are pointless before 7.... at 6 one of mine had joined the swimmimg club, showing they can swim 4 strokes etc...

But agree with the point in general that before 4/5 water confidence is the main thing and of course its quicker later.

No way would I let her. Not so much for fear of her drowning but because there is a high chance she will panic in this situation, and lose her confidence, which will then make learning to swim so much harder. My dd's didn't have armbands in their lessons but it was a much smaller ratio, teacher in the pool with them, helping them individually in turns at the early stages.

Also don't agree lessons are pointless for younger kids. DS went from a baby for confidence and started proper lessons at 4 when he was a better listener. He could do 10m unaided in the deep end just before he turned 5 and most importantly, float confidently on his back for ages. We are around pools, rivers and beaches quite alot in the UK in summer so it was a safety thing for us. I think structured lessons under 4 are not important.

I agree with SwimmingJustKeepSwimming my DD was swimming medleys by the time she was 6.

Thanks all.

I think I'll mention my concerns to teacher but more so they are aware I'm anxious.

DD actually loves water and is very confident so really don't want her to loose her confidence

My kids, 5 and almost 4, were at swimming lessons this evening. Neither can touch the bottom, and the instructor is about mid chest height in the water when he's standing (and he must be a bit over 6ft). They use noodles, kickboards, nothing...

They all seem fine and nobody has drowned yet!

It's terrifying as a parent when they go in a big kids class for the first time though!

10 is a big class though, ours are 6 max.

Swimming teacher here. Just Noodle is fine, I wouldn't expect an 4yo NT child to let go of a noodle. But, I run my own swim school and I can't believe that ratio!! Are they 4 & 5? I would have 1 x teacher in or out, 1 x lifeguard out and 2 x helpers in the water for 10 children.

I learnt to swim at 4, despite having two left feet on land, so definitely not pointless.

And it's a genuinely lifesaving skill - but (general advice) make sure your children don't just learn how to swim, but what to do if they suddenly end up in water through an accident. My school made us all take the Survival certificates.

The number of young people who drown in canals etc is horrendous.

I also strongly disagree with the poster above who says you don't need to start lessons till 7. Clubs take from 7yo and they would expect 4 good strokes by then including fly. 4 or 5 is a good time to start formally, or before that if you don't take them for fun as a family.