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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

When did your kids learn to swim?

154 replies

Ohdobequiet · 22/03/2021 13:11

I was planning for almost 5 yo dd to start swimming lessons as soon as pools open up again- but have been met with a fair few comments about her being too young.

When did yours learn to swim?
Aibu getting an (almost) 5yo to learn?

OP posts:
Pleaseaddcaffine · 22/03/2021 13:13

6mth and would still be going if not for covid. Never ever too young to be confident and know how to hold the side or climb out and in safley. I could swim strongly by 5 and its so important for water safety

Mn753 · 22/03/2021 13:15

I'm going to win mumsnet comment of the year for this, but my youngest swam unaided just before she was two. My older one was 3. Both in school aged lessons whilst at preschool.

BendingSpoons · 22/03/2021 13:15

YANBU! My eldest did parent and toddler lessons from 1 and lessons without me from when she turned 3. Starting young is good. By 4, DD was beginning to actually swim a bit.

Chicchicchicchiclana · 22/03/2021 13:17

They started lessons when they were about 7/8 iirc.

starrynight21 · 22/03/2021 13:18

Six months, both of them. By the time they were 5 they were like water babies, very safe and it was great exercise.

MinnieMountain · 22/03/2021 13:18

I agree- it’s never too early.

We’ve been going as a family (normally) most weeks since DS was 1.

DS had a half term of lessons with school when he was 6, by which point he could already doggy paddle a width. Around 1/4 of his class of 30 could too.

qualitygirl · 22/03/2021 13:18

They both started swim lessons at 5 months old. Could swim by age 2. Strong swimmers doing lengths and improving technique at age 5/6

TankGirl97 · 22/03/2021 13:18

It's a bit like riding a bike. Some will do it early, some will absolutely refuse for years! Definitely do-able at five though, if the child is keen. It's such an important life skill.

MaskingForIt · 22/03/2021 13:18

Planning to start with DS as soon as he has had his jabs and pools are open. I can’t imagine leaving it as late as 5 Shock

Sawyersfishbiscuits · 22/03/2021 13:18

Preschool age we started lessons, they took a couple of years to be really confident, especially DS. Never too soon, it's so important.

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 22/03/2021 13:19

Five is a pretty normal age to start unaccompanied lessons.

Mine started 'British' swimming lessons last January when we returned to the UK (having been taught water safety and strength previously rather than the proper strokes like in UK swimming lessons). They were 6&8, went to Stage 4&5. 6yo was average age in hers, 8yo on the older side in hers. Unfortunately, they are no further forward now due to the disruption.

emmathedilemma · 22/03/2021 13:21

They go for group lessons (in the water without parents) from the age of 3 at my gym and I'd say most can probably swim unaided by the age of 5. 5 is definitely not too young!

Zoecarter · 22/03/2021 13:22

6 weeks old when he had his first lesson and can swim unaided. I can’t wait for pools
To reopen hes asking to go swimming every day it’s his absolute fave activity and he isn’t 3 yet.

Justcallmebebes · 22/03/2021 13:23

My children learnt to swim as small toddlers. My grandchildren the same. All start lessons at 3 but have had plenty of swim experience and can swim before they start lessons. Never to young to start IMHO

bloodywhitecat · 22/03/2021 13:23

Both could swim before they could walk, I taught swimming before I had children so it came as second nature to take them swimming from tiny babies.

rainylake · 22/03/2021 13:23

Took her swimming from 2 months old (clearly she didn't learn to swim, but it built water confidence, got her used to getting her face wet).

She started proper lessons (without me in the water) at 3. She could swim a length at 4.

5 is definitely not too young. Better than leaving it later, when it's more likely they will find it scary.

ladygindiva · 22/03/2021 13:24

@TankGirl97

It's a bit like riding a bike. Some will do it early, some will absolutely refuse for years! Definitely do-able at five though, if the child is keen. It's such an important life skill.
Definitely! This is true, we started taking our twins to the pool at 2 years and one of them was kicking about unaided ( with a float on) forcing us to let go of her and literally swimming by our first session. Other twin hung on terrified for months. They're all different. I'm planning to put them both in for swim lessons at about 5.
sanityisamyth · 22/03/2021 13:25

6 weeks old with Water Babies. No regrets on having baby/toddler lessons as he was a good swimmer by 4.

dementedpixie · 22/03/2021 13:26

Mine started age 3/4ish
I wouldn't pay money for baby classes but 3 or 4 is a good age to start

OverTheRainbow88 · 22/03/2021 13:26

@MaskingForIt

Jabs don’t protect against anything to do with swimming! And 5 isn’t late...! You sound judgmental.

lanthanum · 22/03/2021 13:26

We did crash courses at half-terms, but to start with, she didn't seem to be able to copy actions or understand what they were telling her to do, so the instruction was a bit wasted, although she enjoyed it and gained confidence. Once she seemed to be able to understand and follow the instructions, we signed her up for regular lessons. I think she was 5, maybe 6, when that changed - it's bound to be different for different children.

MrsBungle · 22/03/2021 13:27

Both of mine did water babies from 4/5 months then unaccompanied lessons from when they started school but because they were already good swimmers they went through all of the asa stages quickly then. Sooner the better in my opinion.

Itsjustaride8w737 · 22/03/2021 13:28

Mine was around 8 she loves swimming but is autisic so took quite a while to learn.

MaskingForIt · 22/03/2021 13:29

[quote OverTheRainbow88]@MaskingForIt

Jabs don’t protect against anything to do with swimming! And 5 isn’t late...! You sound judgmental.[/quote]
They protect against diseases which would be picked up by mixing with people. And going swimming involves mixing with people.

GiveMeAllTheGin8 · 22/03/2021 13:30

Definitely not too young ! Who was saying that ?!
Dd started lessons when she turned 3 and was was swimming unaided by 3 and a half.
She attended weekly lessons up until she turned 7 when lockdown hit.
Toddler dd is booked in for next month but it’s doubtful pools will be open Sad