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.

That child died as a result of neglect.
There should be equal access nationally. Lessons are £4 each were I am for people on low income, £6 otherwise. Baby/toddler swims are free if signed up with a children's center. I'd say year 4/5 was about the right time for schools. Often medical issues that prevent swimming are starting to get sorted out by then.

Swimming isn't an essential life skill, water safety is. They are not the same.

Swimming is a good hobby and lead in to other hobbies. That's the reason to learn.

Is that all?

I didn't realise how good our local Primary school was in that regard. They swim the whole summer term and first half of autumn term in the school pool. Maybe because we live by the sea.

I have no idea if it is lifesaving. Surely if you can't swim, you are highly unlikely to be in water to drown.

But it's like learning to ride a bike, if your parents don't teach you/arrange for you to be taught, you are unlikely to learn as an adult. So it's something I have prioritised. I feel like it's an essential part of parenting.

Being able to swim and being safe around water aren't the same thing. The latter is far more important.

Lots of people can't afford swimming lessons or access a pool - our nearest pool is a 40 minute drive away. If you don't have a car, it takes even longer by train. Add on the expense of parking etc. and you can see how it's easily out of reach for lots of families.

The council in the city I live in are shutting community pools like there's no tomorrow.

I mean - I think swimming is great. It's good to be able to swim.

None of my kids took to swimming when they were small, at least the three older ones. THey were too skinny I think, they became cold and miserable, and they sank.

The two girls became reasonable swimmers later, my son even as a teen is so stinky it's not funny. He'll swim a bit but he cannot float at all, he drops like a stone. So - it's not that enjoyable.

My youngest used to have the problem with temperature until we went to a tropical vacation, and she learned to swim there. She still gets cold at home but at least she got in enough practice to feel confident.

I suppose if we were more pool oriented it might help, but none of us deal well with the pool chemicals. So it's natural bodies of water and they are cold.

Exactly, not to mention transport to/from the pool (if you don't drive), parking (if you do), potential childcare for other siblings, fitting it in around school, work and other commitments etc.

But if you live rurally, a return bus ticket for a parent plus dc can be £10+. Subsidised swimming lessons are still out of the reach of many.

I agree it is essential. I only wish we had adequate leisure facilities throughout the country to make it happen earlier and for everyone.

Year 4 or 5 is far too late!

Rubbish. It's never too late to learn....

The RLSS thinks that children learning to swim is an important part of water safety. It says it in the National Drowning Report:

www.rlss.org.uk/Handlers/Download.ashx?IDMF=2b08fcb2-ba55-4055-a90b-b509322650d4

See the recommendations on page 10.

I think it's all a bit overhyped, frankly. For most children, learning to swim very young is entirely unnecessary. Some children love it, and some families love going swimming together. But I think it's just another thing beat stressed out mothers with, and a cash cow for swimming schools.Learning to swim in a heated pool wearing a swimming costume is not going to help if you fall into icy cold water fully clothed, and is like to give both child and parent a false sense of security. So, if your young child loves it and you can afford it then go. If they don't or you can't, then wait until they are a bit older, and they'll learn happily and quickly.

I agree and I spent 8 blooming years putting 2 kids through swimming lessons. Their school hardly did any swimming so essential to learn seperately

That’s why many lessons do swimming in clothes - weighing you down with stuff etc. I mean you’ve got a lot more chance than if you can’t swim at all.

Well I agree with you but BIL’s argument when I ask him why he doesn’t intend to teach his own kids to swim is “we never go anywhere near any water”.

Perhaps that’s a valid argument to an extent (they are not beach people) but a bit of a stretch to think that his kids will NEVER want to go near water

I thought baby swimming lessons were worth it because my child would reliably have an amazing nap afterwards 😂 but I appreciate this isn’t everyone’s experience. I also love swimming and enjoyed being in the water with him. I think there is value in starting lessons at an age when you go in the water with them - it seems to have really helped my son’s confidence compared to kids in his current class who didn’t do that. He doesn’t really think he “can’t swim” but he is very aware of water safety (as far as a 5yo can be!) and knows the difference between places where it is “too deep” and a paddle up to his ankles.

I have this issue. I've been taking DC10 to the pool from 3 months and he's a strong, confident swimmer. But he can't ride a bike. I feel very bad about this, and ashamed for not teaching him? but he's been so incredibly resistant that I haven't wanted to push it in case it put him off for life. Its's recently transpired that he has dyspraxia, sensory processing issues, poor balance and very bad coordination. No wonder he's so avoidant given these issues must make these things so difficult. But I despair that he'll ever learn.

Glad we started the swimming so young. If I hadn't, I'd have had the very devil's time trying to persuade him into the water!

The whole process might be a lot more accessible if the national scheme was based on Water Safety and essential swimming, and left the fancy stuff like diving and Butterfly stroke to an advanced course...

I don’t think they need formal lessons until around 3 or 4. Until then their arms are proportional short in comparison to their body so they can’t learn to swim. Regular fun trips to the pool are important before they start swimming lessons.

By 5 and a half and a term of swimming lessons, both of mine had caught up with their peers who'd been having weekly swimming lessons since babyhood. We had friends who were spending their Saturdays at the pool with a two year old at 11am and the 4 year old at 2pm due to class availability. I'm glad I saved my time and money to be honest! I know of only one child in Y1 who is what I'd consider an exceptional swimmer and that's because her dad loves surfing. I'm not at all convinced lessons before about age 4 are that much use long term.

That's why they're on the national curriculum.

Unfortunately, swimming lessons are behind a huge paywall (especially if you have multiple children, or if one is disabled and needs specialist teachers). Even if you can afford the classes, you may not live near the pool and have to factor in big transport costs. Things are more complicated again if you work shifts or have unsecured working hours, how can you be sure you'll always be free at 5pm on Wednesdays, then 7:30 on Thursdays for child number 2?

I don't think baby swimming is in any way essential. We did it for ours but it was fun but until they are old enough to go alone it is not really a life skill. I agree that for age 5/6 it is pretty essential that age they can actually learn and then it sticks with them for life - it should certainly be considered as just part of the cost of raising a child. School swimming was a bit pointless in our experience.

I go to waterparks in Spain often and it has got so bad they won't let british kids down slides without armbands regardless of whether they can swim. Local kids the same age are allowed to go armband free. It is very sad that we have ended viewed this way.