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Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

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Original poster

Whats the youngest realistic age for a child to learn to swim?

55 replies

juicychops · 17/02/2007 10:24

my ds is 2.1 and he loves swimming. Once it gets a bit warmer im goint to start taking him regularly. I want him to learn to swim early but whats a realistic expectation?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

hunkermunker · 17/02/2007 12:47

When DH and I were on our honeymoon, there was a 2yo who was an incredible swimmer - she was adorable - she'd suddenly pop up, having swum a massive distance underwater! They were English and lived in Bangkok - they had their own pool and she'd swum since she was teeny in it.

I am like Franny in swimming ability. I had lessons from 8-11 at school and I never got out of the baby pool Largely that was because I couldn't put my face in the water though - I seem to have a very contrary-to-life reflex that makes me inhale when I get my face wet

jhyesmum · 17/02/2007 12:55

My DS was three when he done his 10 meters. He is now diving etc (he's 6 now).

I have know younger to be swimming though.

He has had an advantage though because I am a qualified Swimming Teacher and I swam for my County for many years, so obviously, my confidence has rubbed off on him.

Just make it fun, they soon learn!

Gobbledigook · 17/02/2007 12:57

Like JT, Hunker, she keeps her head out of the water too - it's hilarious!

In fact, the reason ds2 is progressing slowly on his front is because he goes vertical (i.e. feet pointing to the bottom) because he's trying to keep his face out. Bizarre really as he's quite happy jumping in to the bottom but he doesn't like it when he's swimming.

Gobbledigook · 17/02/2007 12:58

Oh, and I taught myself to swim when I was about 11 or 12. My parents tried to teach me but I was apparently 'like an ironing board' and wouldn't relax at all.

They didn't take us enough so it's their fault

morocco · 17/02/2007 12:59

can I just ask what you mean by 'swimming' - does that include doggy paddle or is it really crawl/breaststroke? what age do kids learn the proper strokes at swimming lessons or do they do that straight away? tia

Gobbledigook · 17/02/2007 13:01

Mine did doggy paddle - ds1 did his 50m doggy paddle. Since January he's had 1:1 lessons and his breastroke adn crawl are coming on now - he's 5.11. Ds2 also has 1:1 and despite not having the distance ability he is learning teh strokes at the same time.

pointydog · 17/02/2007 13:03

mine learned proper strokes at the same time - crawl first.

snorkle · 17/02/2007 13:04

Message withdrawn

roisin · 17/02/2007 13:16

DS2 could float and doggy paddle 10 m before he was 4. But ds1 didn't take his feet off the bottom until he was 6.5! They both went regularly swimming and lessons from tiny.

But ds2 is now nearly 8, and at that age ds1 had better stroke technique, and had swum greater distances! Despite his late 'start'.

hunkermunker · 17/02/2007 13:20

LOL GDG! I actually don't mind getting my face wet, and if I wear noseclips (oh, the shame!) I can swim underwater, but if I don't, I will drown.

snorkle · 17/02/2007 13:20

Message withdrawn

fennel · 17/02/2007 13:30

Bozza, my dds are like your ds.

dd1 spent several years in the same swimming class, she was perfectly happy, loved her teacher. But all the other children progressed up through 2 or 3 classes while she stayed there. dd2 is similar. They've since had classes in different pools, and with different teachers. They enjoy it, but still overall I think we've wasted our time and effort on the swimming front. dd1, nearly 7, can now swim and dd2, 5.5, sort of almost can when she puts her mind to it. Not much payback for all the shivering in cold changing rooms and sitting in toddler pools I've put up with over the years.

Blandmum · 17/02/2007 13:30

I think the 25 M thing having to be a recognised stroke is standard. ds (6) has just got his 200M.

I love the fact that they are both so confident in the water. Took them to the pool this morning. They both swam while dh and I had 5 minutes in the Jaccusi, before joining them in the pool. I don't think that I learned to swim until I was about 10

jhyesmum · 17/02/2007 13:32

My DS started with doggy paddle. But we soon progressed to front crawl and back stroke. Breast Stroke has been more of a challenge for him. He looks like a yo-yo! It's quite amusing! Might try butterfly soon! (joking!)

FluffyMummy123 · 17/02/2007 13:33

Message withdrawn

CAMy · 17/02/2007 14:21

Having a swimming pool helps

However, having said that dd takes after me in that she is in the school swim squad which does lots of proper training and I was a competition swimmer (living in Singapore helped a lot with that!)

Being tall also gives you a natural advantage.

LucyJu · 17/02/2007 15:15

Dd1 could do a 5m doggy paddle shortly after her third birthday, and could swim further than that underwater. We used to attract a bit of an audience in the pool on holiday .

Having said that, she started swimming lessons at 10 weeks with a baby swimming class. Others following the same program could swim even earlier than her. But looking back...we were paying around £10 per half hour swimming lesson - for a 10 week old baby! Is there a prize for the most foolish way to waste money with reference to a newborn?

ManchesterMum · 17/02/2007 15:19

I could swim widths unaided at three and am a bit ashamed to only just be seeking out lessons for dd who's 4&1/2.

Wheelybug · 17/02/2007 15:44

A boy in my dd's swimming class can swim and has been able to since about 2 (he is now about 2.4). He goes underwater and can swim about 5 metres. Its quite incredible to see !

suedonim · 17/02/2007 15:52

I was amazed at Australian children who are like little fish, from about 18mths! I guess when you have the weather and lifestyle....

Bozza · 17/02/2007 21:36

snorkle are you a swimming teacher?

snorkle · 17/02/2007 21:45

Message withdrawn

Bozza · 17/02/2007 21:57

Hmm I think you might have given me some advice in the past. I looked into the intensive courses last summer but DS was too young. And I have a feeling I have booked our summer holiday for the week when they run. I really think this will be the way to go with DS.

snorkle · 17/02/2007 22:20

Message withdrawn

Surfermum · 17/02/2007 22:34

I taught dd myself juicychops and she first swam without aids just after her 3rd birthday. I just concentrated on letting her have fun - lots of singing pop goes the weasle, ring-a-roses, and stuff like that and throwing/dunking her. Re-enacting scenes from Finding Nemo was a favourite and she learnt to dive by pretending to be Augustus Gloop from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

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