2 year old swimming aids?

[namechange110]

Hi, used to take him for lessons last year but I would usually just hold him so no aids or anything. I want to take him on my own, its a health club so not a kids pool but they do have kids sessions.

Whats the best swimming aid? Armbands or vests? Any tips? He does tend to want me to hold him but whats best to help him feel confident but not fully holding on to me?

Thanks

Go to a pool where they can stand up in. At 2 there arms are too short to learn to swim so it’s all about confidence.

@Marchforward thanks but not what I asked :) I know 8 month old babies that can swim. Nothing to do with their arms.

My 3 year old has cerebral palsy so cant stand etc unsupported but he loves the water. He wants independence and hates being held. He wears a swim vest. Its perfect.

They start them off with pool noodles in lessons, no armbands or rings.

The noodle wraps around them under their arms either front or back and as they advance you can knot it so they hold it out front like handlebars.

Some 2 year olds can definitely start to swim.

I fine a Noodle the best. Definitely not arm bands - they hold them upright rather than flat, so they don’t help to learn to swim properly.

Vests are tricky to get on and off, unlike a noodle where they can use it when they want, or not when they want to jump in/ kick holding on to the side/ play with you. Obviously stay within reach!

Best swimming aid ever is a SwimFin. It looks like a shark fin, works brilliantly and kids really enjoy wearing it. I bought ours from Amazon

Super helpful everyone! I was thinking a noodle is the best bet to start with and low cost.

@craigth162 which swim vest did you go for? Thats lovely that he enjoys the water ❤️

@Unicorn2022 - i saw that on google! Is it heavy at all?

@craigth162 - the swim vests I've seen say that they still can't be totally unsupported or can they?

I just use armbands. They take up zero space in your bag and work perfectly for making sure they don’t sink! I’d never attempt to teach DC any sort of swimming myself so I don’t care about proper form for splashing about at aged 2. Then at 3 they started proper lessons at 1:1 or 1:2 ratio and as a result were confidentially swimming really quickly.

The RLSS recommends fins.

Well i stay within arms reach but h3s totally fine. He has a swim best one.

We got rings. Very cheap from eBay or Poundland, that meant that they were on the small side (ideal for 2yo) and they could submerge it enough to actually swim (doggy paddle), plus they can take it on/off independently.