DS1 (4.5) not enjoying swimming lessons

[schneebly]

He has being going with DH as it is at a time when I work but I am off this week so taking him - he keeps saying that he can't do it doesn't want to go DH is terrified of water and cant swim and I am a very weak swimmer who didnt learn until I was 11. I really don't want him to go through the same but don't want to push him too much. The guy who runs the lessons comes highly reccomended but seems to have very high expectations early on. For example DS has been 3 times and last time he wanetd him to jump into a hula hoop floating in the pool from poolside - this is completely unaided and DS doesnt even like getting his face wet! Should we persevere with it for a bit (have paid up til end of Feb) or should we try again when he is older or maybe a different teacher?

I am sorry, but that sounds like something they would do in an intermediate swimming class, not when a child has only had 3 lessons. No wonder the poor little chap doesn't want to go.

Is there another teacher that he can go to or an alternative place?

By the way - I still don't like getting my face wet in the pool

Sounds like the lesson does not cater for the more nervous child.
We do lessons at our local leisure centre, and children are split into beginners 1 and beginners 2, the first group being those children who do not like getting their face wet. My friend's dd is in beg 1 and they take it very gently so as to build the child's confidence.

Have a word with the teacher who may then tailor his teaching methods to suit your ds. If the teacher can not cater for your ds then look for a different class.

Learning to swim should be fun, and being asked to do something you are afraid of is definately not fun.

different teacher.

Seems a bit hard fro someone who is just starting to learn to swim.

My DS1 always loved the water, but hated swimming lessons at this age, so we stopped the lessons for a while, but kept taking him just to play in the water. He started lessons again at about 5.5 and has really enjoyed them. To begin with, he was in groups with children much younger than him, but it didn't bother him and now he's catching up with kids who've had lessons continuously since they were 3. (think of all the money I saved )

Your teacher does seem to be pushing them hard though. Where we go, they start off with things like watering the children with toy watering cans to get them used to the water on their faces. They might be encouraged to jump in, but the nervous ones will be caught to begin with, so their faces don't go under.

I think I'd give it a bit of a break, but try and encourage him with the water in the meantime. Could he play with a watering can or shower attachment in the bath? (Great fun if he's allowed to get Daddy wet!) Try and get a refund for the lessons you've paid for. My friend did when her DD wouldn't participate. She argued that the teacher had failed them, as she didn't help her nervous daughter.

When booking up next time, explain how nervous he is and try and get a teacher who is recognised as good with the more reluctant children.