Did you teach your kid to swim yourself?

[eisbaer]

It costs a fortune and I think it can't be that hard if you just know the steps..(famous last words). So, if you have taught your kids to swim yourself, was there a website you used or a book you bought? And how did it pan out?!

DD 11 mo old already kicking like mad when we go swimming

But seriously, I think you can teach the basics yourself. One of my earliest memories is doggy paddling towards my Dad in the little pool at around 4yo. I think I just graduated from being held, then to armbands, then floats and practising kicking whilst holding onto side of pool. I agree lessons seem expensive and ridiculous at that age. Know of no guides but would just suggest constant supervision and that water confidence is key.

Yeh, I agree. We have put DS1(6) and ,DS2 (4) through lessons to the point where they are paddling across pool with floats so it must just be a corner turn away. Going to try one-on-one tmrw with me or DH, one at a time. Make it our project before spring!

Good luck, sounds like they're already most of the way there anyway!

mine all learnt to swim on holiday. We went to places with a pool and they were in every day playing. They wore armbands, got really water confident and at some point asked to play without armbands and splashed around more and more until they were swimming. Confident at the beginning of 2 weeks, led to swimming at the end of 2 weeks.

lots of time playing in water teaches them to swim, especially if you have floats (noodles are good) and things like diving rings to play with

Mine are very strong swimmers with not much style, so we recently put them into lessons to polish up technique.

I would point out though that if you take them swimming it is probably going to cost you around £5 for the 2 of you to swim, and a lesson costs £5 around here. So not sure if it is actually any cheaper.

I see the point about cost, it's more the fact that where I am you pay in advance, even if you can't attend(over summer hols etc) or you lose your place and go to back of(long) queue so seemed a bit of a rip off. Also they really spun it out(over a yr to learn to swim?) I grudge being ripped off.