Swimming - Proper lessons for a toddler?

[angel1976]

DS1 loves the water. Seriously. He is 2.1 years old. When he was 18 months old, we went to the Maldives and he had armbands so we tried to stick to baby pool but by end of holiday, his favourite thing to do is to run from baby pool and jumping into the deep pool. He learned very quickly how to 'float' just on his armbands. Now we bring him swimming and he cannot be contained. He just loves leaping into the water, face first. Doesn't care about water in his face/eyes. At home in the bath, it's the same... The last time we went swimming, he went on the 'big' slide (meant to be for only over-3s and no armbands) and loved it. Every time we go to the pool, we get comments about how confident he is in the water and what a 'water baby' he is.

For our piece of mind, we thought he should learn how to swim or he will drown get into trouble one day. But when I called up the swim school, they said I had to start at the beginning with him i.e. do all the group classes that starts with 6-month-old babies gaining water confidence. I can't see DS1 wanting to do that! How young can he start 'proper' lessons or do we have to look into getting him one-on-one lessons? Thanks!

That is non sense. There is no point in a two year doing classes with 6 month old babies. I also think he is way too young for proper lesssons. The youngest that children start proper swimming lessons is about three and half years old. Even then they make more progress when they are four years old. Children need to develop the ablity to concentration and follow instructions.

One to one lessons for a two year old would be total madness. Most two year olds have the concentration of a gnat and would gain nothing from a formal lesson.

Young children who can swim still need intensive supervision. Many small boys seriously over estimate their swimming ablity. In someways having a swimmer can be more dangerous than a non swimming. My son at the age of five years decided to jump in the deep end because he could swim a couple of strokes of doggie paddle.

You are better to just take him for a general family splash about.

I wouldn't put him in formal swimming classes. In my experience they need to be old enough to in the water without parents, and able to listen to and follow instructions. If not for his own safety, but for that of the other children in the class. In my experience, this was at reception age (4).

Just carry on taking him swimming with you and your DH and he'll carry on enjoying it, then you can enrol him in classes when he is older. Although, be warned, he might not enjoy the restraint of the classes if he is used to bombing about!

waste of time unitl he's bigger imo

For safety teach him how to jump in , turn around and swim back to the side and climb out by himself .

I think a 2yo is too young for formal lessons.

What you describe is lovely and great for your DS but not so extraordinary. DS2 was jumping in face first at 18mo as well. He started lessons at 3.5 on the advice of the swimming teacher who knew him well (normally our pool says 4).

In a lesson he has to stand still and do what he's told. That's way too hard for most 2yos in the water.

Just keep taking him and let him enjoy it - time enough for lessons in a couple of yrs.

What the others said. I'd also worry that the formality of a class might put him off. Continue taking him, keep enjoying the pool and hope that he doesn't become too into swimming; the parents of competitive swimmers need to give up a lot of time!

My DD has been swimming with Waterbabies since she was 6 mo. They run classes up to about 3, and at Toddler level they do jumping in and the sorts of things you describe (but minus the armbands).

Once you get into the realms of proper swimming lessons the child has to go into the water without mum.. We were looking at moving on from Waterbabies now DD is 3 but despite her extreme water confidence there is no way she is ready to be in a 3:1 situation in the water without me.

Thanks all! I do think he is too young for formal lessons, it's more for a peace of mind and it seems a long time to wait (another 2 years) for him to splashing about with us. I personally didn't have formal lessons till I was about 10 and did think that was too old. I remember the fear of being in the deep end for the first time very clearly!

My DD started going to Swimtotz when she was 16mths.
Shes now 20mths and has great water confidence. She happily jumps into the pool, goes under, turns and reaches the wall to hold on.
Part of the lesson aims is Water safety as well as the actual swimming. Which is done underwater and without any armbands/floats etc.
She currently swims a Metre or two.

Other swim classes I contact when thinking about lessons told me that basically, I should of done it as a tiny baby and would now be best of waiting till she was 4. I think thats rubbish as DD has learnt so much.

Maybe do a google for local baby/toddler lessons.I did a taster lesson at the local pool but it was just splashing about as apposed to any actual learning.

pigleychez - Just checked out Swimtotz and they look brilliant, just what I wanted for DS1 so it's a pity we don't live near any of the venues. All the local council pools do the same swim classes, which seems to be splashing about in the pool with nursery rhymes playing... Thanks anyway, I will continue looking.

Could you do it yourself? I have this book.

If you are confident in water you could probably teach him yourself.
My 3 yr old swam several widths yesterday unaided [proud mummy emoticon] just having been swimming regularly with me.
You could try getting him to swap his armbands for a woggle float initially then take it from there.
Our local pool does lessons from age 3 - with 2 instructors (3 kids each).
I plan to send DD for formal lessons when she is older just for stroke development.

Thanks, that's very helpful. Will get DH to order the book for me Shaz10. And you've inspired me ToffeeMum.

How about Puddleducks? A friend of mine has just qualified as a teacher for them - unfortunately she's at the other end of the country from me and there are none in my area, but it looks just right for my 3 year old.

Our local pool does 'proper' lessons without parent from 3 - dd1 did it from 2.11 as she started at the start of the term she turned 3 (and had been going to the baby lessons since 6 months so they knew her).

I have that book Shaz10 recommended and another one called waterbabies . Both were useful but I think just playing in the water and being really encouraging every time they try something new (like putting their heads under) is just as effective.

My DD got a lot out of swimming lessons as a baby, toddler, preschooler. They were lots of fun in a group. Silly that a 3 year old would have to be with babies though, maybe there was just more demand at our pool.

Puddleducks have nothing in my area either... I will call my local pool again, it does seem silly that DS1 will have to start from the 'bottom' as such. Maybe it was just the person I spoke to... Thanks all for your suggestions! I wouldn't want a competitive swimmer on my hands, golf or F1 pays a lot better!