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Extra-curricular activities

Find advice on the best extra curricular activities in secondary schools and primary schools here.

Original poster

Why is MAKING kids do swimming lessons, even when they don't enjoy them, apparently so important?

41 replies

Scrumplet · 30/01/2009 12:40

Genuinely interested to know why this is such a prevailing must-do activity. Perhaps I'm being a bit thick here, but I don't entirely understand the urgency. Thanks in advance for explaining.

OP posts:
hippipotamiHasLostTwoPounds · 30/01/2009 12:44

Because knowing how to swim could save their lives?

ZoeC · 30/01/2009 12:47

I found with dd1, she moaned about going, although would look to be enjoying it when she actually got in. Then she turned a corner and actually started to get the hang of it and now she crazes to go. The early bit, particularly if they aren't that confident, can be hard for them to stick with but it's not for long really and then it is worth it.

Swim parties, water chutes, etc. would all be out if they couldn't swim and they are great fun and good exercise.

DorisIsAPinkDragon · 30/01/2009 12:49

as hippi said-

Just being in the water can improve their confidence to the point they don't panic, learning to swim is skill which can be life saving.

Original poster
Scrumplet · 30/01/2009 12:50

Yes, that's the bit I partly understand. But lots of things could help save their - and other people's lives - like first aid courses, self defence/martial arts, etc, but parents don't generally make their kids do these. Why not?

I've seen a lot of kids hate their swimming lessons - mums taking them from babyhood, and then pulling them out at three, four or five, because the kids are so miserable. Of course if kids love them, they should go as it's a useful life skill. But aren't the kids who are anti likely to fare better just doing lots of leisure swimming with their families and building up their confidence and skills that way?

OP posts:
sweetblossom · 30/01/2009 12:55

For me it is for safety god forbid if one of my kids got in to trouble as our home is near deep streams. But I do see where you are coming from ,it is up there with learning to read or how to count with waiting lists for lessons at our local pool. My husband never had a swimming lesson in his life and on holidays I feel sorry for him as he tries to
keep up with everyone else.

not sure if this explains anything.

TheThoughtPolice · 30/01/2009 12:58

I do think that baby swim lessons are a bit bizarre, tbh.

My DD is 6 and has just started lessons, she loves it and it was something I encouraged her to consider.

We also have 2 teenaged boys and when we go on our annual summer holiday our time is spent predominantly in the pool. All 4 of leap in and lark about in the water and DD would have loved to join in but she felt scared. I bought a float jacket (like a zip up waistcoat with polystyrene floats in it) for her for our summer '07 holiday and she never looked back. At the end of our summer '08 holiday she was very happily leaping into the water etc and joining in the games, the jacket gave her confidence in the water but she was not at all happy to try things without the jacket. Proper swimming lessons with a small group of peers at a similar level was the next step in building the skills now that she had the confidence.

Tortington · 30/01/2009 12:58

mine can swim and i took them to lessons.

i think a big point is social acceptance, holidays, going swimming as a social activity with friends as teenagers - i rarely hear children say they can't swim anymore.

TheThoughtPolice · 30/01/2009 13:01

TBH, I prob would encourage her to continue the lessons even if she went through a stage of not liking it. I have a friend in her 30's who cannot swim and is now terrified of water and embarrassed about not being able to swim. She started lessons as a young child but had a wobble so her parents pulled her out of lessons and never went back, she wishes they'd been a bit more insistent that she continue.

themoon66 · 30/01/2009 13:02

DD loved swimming and DS hated it. I felt mean making him go and it took over a year for him to learn. But now he's a teenager and learning scuba and thinking about gap years, holidays in the sun with mates etc, being able to swim is a must.

Like previous poster said... it is on a par with learning to read.

Squiffy · 30/01/2009 13:02

I think the fact that shedloads of kids drown each year is reason enough...

Of course some kids hate their lessons. Just like they hate going to bed, eating their greens and learning not to interrupt/belch/pick their noses. That doesn't absolve the parents of their reposnsibility to ensure they get the best grounding and swimming is one of the essentials.

I think mothers who don't persevere with this are being daft. I have two 6 yr old nephews who love the water and always have done, and do lots of 'leisure' swimming. First time in a hotel pool a couple of months back, they both raced to a water chute, straight down it and then proceeded to be unable to resurface because the water was too deep. I had to dump a baby on the floor and dive in to get them, and heaven knows what would have happened if I hadn't spotted it instantly. Swimming lessons are a no-brainer.

TheThoughtPolice · 30/01/2009 13:04

agree that swimming is a life skill

chloesmumtoo · 30/01/2009 13:06

I think it is important. We live near the sea. My dd didnt start to learn until last summer at 6. She couldn't before due to skin condition. She really wanted to be like everyone else and so started lessons. I would not say I would make her go if she really really disliked it. However, an odd grumble from dc's because they are being lazy doesnt get them anywhere! Its only for 30 minutes and does them good. Ds is now a fab swimmer and it gives him a sport in school where he can be proud. Other than that he is not particularly sporty. He started out scared to wash his hair. Dd will start to go in school this year too and so she will not be at to much of a disadvantage, else it could be daunting.

Othersideofthechannel · 30/01/2009 13:07

I don't want my children to drown so they will be having lessons when they are old enough.

I also want to be able to laze by the pool with my nose in a book on holiday.

christywhisty · 30/01/2009 13:08

Because of the safety aspect, also it does open up so many other activities. Would you let your child go to a swimming party, or canoing, or sailing etc if they couldn't swim properly.
Also swimming is a very good form of excercise, especially for non sporty kids.
Neither of my dcs are particularly sporty but they have had swimming lessons since babies and it has given them so much confidence that they can be good at a least one sport.

MaryAnnSingleton · 30/01/2009 13:09

it's a life skill - it could save your life for a start, it's good exercise and kids generally enjoy it..

Original poster
Scrumplet · 30/01/2009 13:14

But children don't need to be made to read; they simply are, as part of institutionalised education. They are capable of learning themselves, and quickly, when they are ready. Yes, children have to be made to do things they simply don't like - like going to bed at a sensible time, learning manners, etc. But I maintain think that kids who are made to learn to swim despite hating it on the grounds of not feeling ready and feeling very fearful - not simply not liking it - should not be made to learn.

I learnt to swim at age five - was made to. I have grim memories of miserable lessons, and just about learned some dodgy front crawl. But my swimming has blossomed as an adult with a tiny bit of instruction from an ex-boyfriend who was a confident swimmer. I wanted to learn at that point, and am now a strong swimmer. This ex-boyfriend on the other hand was made to do lots of swimming as a child, and now isn't interested.

My point is that, for kids who are very anti/fearful, there is surely a more respectful and child-centered route to water confidence.

OP posts:
christywhisty · 30/01/2009 13:15

Actually baby lessons are very useful and could save a child's life. Young children drown in small amounts of water because the panic underwater.
A good baby lesson will teach them to

automatically turn towards and reach the side if the fall in.

water confidence so they don't panic and swallow water if their face is underwater.

Also when my dd burnt her hand as a toddler the doctor said swimming was a really good form of physio to stop kelloid scarring.

It was also good fun.

ForeverOptimistic · 30/01/2009 13:17

I make ds go, he is nearly 4 and a half. He liked it at first but now the novelty has worn off and he would rather not go I think he just wants to fast forward to the stage where he can swim. I do it because I think being able to swim is an essential life skill and like a lot of things the older you start the harder it is. I didn't learn until I was 23 and I don't want ds to miss out on things like I did. He will thank me for this in the long run. I hope!

Niecie · 30/01/2009 13:17

I understand where you are coming from Scrumplet. I didn't bother when mine were little because I read that children don't have the coordination to swim properly until they are 4ish.

I didn't want a toddler who is confident in water. I would rather it was something they fear. Toddlers have no sense and I didn't want them to see water and think they could go for a swim. I would rather they were afraid of it and stayed away.

Besides DS1 has dyspraxia and poor bilateral integration. I am pretty sure that he isn't going to be able to manage to swim to a safe level anyway in the same way I don't think he ever going to manage to ride a bike safely.

Original poster
Scrumplet · 30/01/2009 13:18

But four-year-olds are not going to be invited to swimming parties, canoeing or sailing, are they? I don't like seeing small, screaming kids being made to go to swimming lessons; I'm just not convinced of its value at that stage. Understood, though, that it has its place later on, especially when kids are keen or at least not too anti.

OP posts:
ForeverOptimistic · 30/01/2009 13:23

I agree with you Niecie that around 4 is the right age. I didn't see much point in starting ds any earlier.

I may be wrong but I read somewhere that although learning to swim takes much longer if you have dyspraxia, once you have mastered the skill it is one of the best sports for people with dyspraxia. My swimming instructor admitted to me that she didn't think I would ever learn as my co-ordination is non-existent but I did eventually manage it.

PrimulaVeris · 30/01/2009 13:31

Because swimming is a social activity, exercise and life skill. But to be able to enjoy the 'fun' stuff you have to learn it all properly first.

I never learnt to swim (learnt as an adult) and I felt soooo miserable and left out so many times. It's the one and only thing I've made my children do.

fluffles · 30/01/2009 13:31

surely it depends on the swimming lesson - they can be 'child centred' or they can be awful experiences. And different children need different types of teaching (maybe even 1:1). I don't feel confident that i'd be the best person to teach my child to swim but if i couldn't find a sympathetic professional we both bonded with then i'd try to do it myself. It's on my list of non-negotiables because i went to uni with someone who couldn't swim and have seen how hard it was for her to learn at 21 and what she missed out on.

And i'll 'make' them learn to ride a bike too for the same reason.

I know that sounds bossy and horrible but i will try all sorts of gentle and nurturing ways to help them learn but they will be able to swim and ride a bike at some point.

PrimulaVeris · 30/01/2009 13:36

Oh yes fluffles - riding a bike also essential

Your friend at uni - that was like me. On holsends, everyone else goes swimming, I sat at the side pretending yes, I was absolutely happy sitting by the poolside with my book while everyone else was enjoying themselves, yes really

PrimulaVeris · 30/01/2009 13:37

oops "on hols and weekends"