Swimming lessons should be essential!

[PipersSeaSalt]

Inspired by the other thread.

As a nanny of over 25 years, I've always said that if you can only afford one class for your baby/toddler then make it swimming (unless, of course you are able to teach them yourself).

I've heard so many times that "We didn't put child in lessons because he was fearful of the water" and that attitude absolutely blows my mind! That is the EXACT reason why you should get your child enrolled in swimming lessons!

Why wouldn't you want your child to be safe in and around water?!

I know that not everyone can afford lessons. I know that. Many people can and just don't because they don't want to upset their child.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Also surely it’s a good thing to be fearful of the water? All these kids who think they can jump in rivers because they can swim. 🙄

Yes I agree, I could only afford one club like this and so I did swimming. Never regretted it

It’s a life skill, something that might just save a life. If a small amount can be saved each month, and monetary presents are received, then around 4-5 years old would be a good time to consider a few months of weekly lessons, or an intensive course instead. Hopefully child will go to a school that sends children swimming. Not sure where you are, but some UK councils used to offer subsidised leisure access, might be worth exploring.

I'm sure my oldest went with school in year 3 and again in year 6 ,we did pay for lessons too .

They should be taught in class how to be safe around water but quite a few children are not paying attention.

100 million % agree! When I was a kid (1970s) me, and virtually every child around me was able to swim! (My dad taught me!) But now, I think only 1 in 3 can swim by 11 years old - by the time they leave primary school.....

!

Year 4 or 5 is far too late!

It's not as DS and DD1 started in Y5 and Y6 - we had to move and were suddenly able to access council lessons in local pool which were great. We did weekly lessons and then additional intensive ones in holidays - they made massive progress and competed levels with in a few years.

In fact several parent who started at really young ages said they wished they'd started later and saved quite a bit of money. Ideally we'd have started when DD2 did in Y2 but life was what it was.

What wouldn't have been enough was the school lessons alone.

This is why it’s on the national curriculum, but I agree, parents should be building up confidence and skills around water long before school.

I agree! Both my children could swim by age 3/4 and were competent strong swimmers by age 6/7. It's an essential, potentially life saving skill.

My eldest was shocked when he went to high school and had swimming for pe and many in his class couldn't swim. He said some just flapped around in circles and they got the piss taken out for them.

Lessons should be free for those who are on very low incomes, but ours were only £20 a month so not a massive cost in the scheme of things.

The earlier they learn to swim the better.

You never know at what age you are going to fall into water.

I work in a pool and there are plenty of toddlers in swimming lessons who can swim to some extent.

Also pretty sure lots of drowning is people who think they can swim and get overconfident.

RNLI advice if you find yourself in the water is not to try to swim, but to float.

(And if you are a teenage boy, don't go jumping into a lake, quarry or river as soon as the weather turns warm. Being sensible near water is more important than being able to swim.)