Swimming lessons for 3yo - too soon?

[Fayeg80]

My 3yo son loves the water and going swimming with me. So I’ve signed him to lessons. 2 lessons so far and he’s refusing to leave my side and go in the water - parents aren’t allowed in, we watch close by on the side of the pool. He’s quite clingy anyway but has been happily going to nursery 4 mornings a week for the past 2 months. He gets excited about getting ready for swimming lessons but then gets distraught when I try to encourage him to go in. Is he too young to expect him to go in without me? The teacher says he needs to get into the water without armbands then she’ll put them on. I think he feels unsafe and unsure about what’s going to happen. Am I expecting too much of him at his age? Not sure I can get a refund for the months lessons! Any advice on a) getting him in the pool b) is he just too young and don’t force him? Thanks

I'd say he is too young and would leave it for a bit

What happens if you go together (not to a lesson) and get in with him - is he fine then? If so, maybe you could talk to the teacher about getting in with him at the start of the lesson and then withdrawing after a few minutes if he seems happy?

I would also be inclined to leave it, and continue his enjoyment of the water without formal lessons. Is it a learner pool or part of a larger pool where he is out of his depth? If it's the latter, you could investigate lessons in a smaller, shallower pool.

The swimming lessons my boys did took them from 3.5. DS1 didn't actually start till 4.5; DS2 started at 3.5. They are now 12 and nearly 10 and love being in the water.

Thanks ladies. He's absolutely fine going in with me. He loves it! Hence the lessons as I thought he was ready. The pool won't let me go in with him for the lessons so I've got a refund for the month. They were really good about it. Said don't push him otherwise he'll be put off for life. We'll try again next year.

Se started swimming lessons at 6 months, doing the baby and oatent class and now we're up to toddler and parent so i'd say lare as you've missed doing the lessons with him.

I'd say keep going, 2 lessons isn't long

Sounds quite young for him going in on his own? I can’t imagine my DS being happy to do that in a few months.

Maybe look for some lessons with a parents in the water and do that for a bit? DSs swimming school has lessons for the 1-3 year olds with parents in the water and 3-5 without.
My 3.5 year old is fine without an adult but he'd done baby swimming before (at a different place) with an adult in the water, so he got used to being with a teacher but with mum/dad right there.