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Preschool education

Get advice from other Mumsnetters to find the best nursery for your child on our Preschool forum.

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Original poster

What age did your little one learn to swim ?

25 replies

Tillyboo · 30/01/2008 21:54

I'm just wondering really as my 3.10 yo dd took her first independant swim at the weekend. She swam for about 7ft from me to my dh about 5 times (just to make sure it wasn't a fluke).

I can't tell you how chuffed I am. There is no splashing, thrashing or flailing around, she keeps her head well above the water and it's all very calm.

She has an aversion to going under the water so I think she's done really well but don't have anything to compare her achievement to.

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Christywhisty · 31/01/2008 00:04

Both of mine could swim a short distances from around their 3 birthday. But they had lessons from babies

brimfull · 31/01/2008 00:08

well my ds is 5 and can swim across the pool but only picked this up last summer on holiday,so your dd is doing brilliantly

fortyplus · 31/01/2008 00:10

Mine could swim 5metres at about 4, but they'd been having lessons and had been taken to the pool almost from birth.

SlightlyMadShrek · 31/01/2008 00:14

MY DTDs are nearly 7. They have been going to leassons since they were 5 (literally 2 days before 5th birthday). And they are only just getting it.

levan · 31/01/2008 13:04

This is interesting because Ive been wondering - do children need to be taught to swim, or will they eventually swim of their own accord if you take them to the pool a lot and encourage them?

Original poster

Tillyboo · 31/01/2008 13:18

Thanks all. We've been taking dd swimming since she was 8 months old (but had a break for 8 months due to operations).

She has had a lesson a week and the class is only 4 children at the moment and the teacher is very patient and never forces anything.

We also go for a fun session once a week and because dd has a real aversion to going under water I have been trying to get her used to water being around her ears, over her mouth & nose etc. and last weekend I let her go with the intention of stopping her going right under.

To my utter amazement she remained boyant and just started swimming toward my dh. She even tries to imitate a front crawl and breaststroke.

So, in answer to the question :
"Do children need to be taught to swim, or will they eventually swim of their own accord if you take them to the pool a lot and encourage them?"

Maybe children don't need to be taught to swim as long as they are exposed to swimming. I never had a lesson in my life but I got scouted by a club when I was in Primary school.
Having said that I do think lessons do give a child a headstart and teaches good technique and confidence.

OP posts:

Christywhisty · 31/01/2008 15:31

I don't think children need to be taught to swim as such, but they do need to be taught to swim properly.

Ubergeekian · 31/01/2008 19:06

The Boy was doggypaddling about 1-2m today. Not far, but definitely independent motion forwards - and he pushes himself off to do it. 20 months.

fortyplus · 03/02/2008 10:19

levan - babies swim naturally. When old enough to wear armbands ds1 used to propel himsel along. But then this natural instinct wears off and at about 18 months he couldn't do it any more. I suppose it's like losing the 'suck' reflex necessary to latch on for bf. He seemed to lose confidence at about the same age - I suppose they must suddenly develop a sense of risk?

Hulababy · 03/02/2008 10:24

DD swam without floats/support from just after her 5th birthday, about 5 or 6 sessions into her swimming lessons. She went from swimming with support to being able to swim on her front and back for several metres at a time. A few months on she can now swim full lengths confidently, but we still only do weekly lessons, and that is a bit on and off. We should try and go more often really.

Before that she ocould easily swim with a swim vest or arm bands but we never went swimming regularly to practise.

FrannyandZooey · 03/02/2008 10:29

Ds is 4.9 and has just started to swim a few strokes without armbands
I think he would have got it earlier but for facts a) he didn't want to take armbands off till now and b) we don't take him very often

I don't think they need lessons, no, but they do need to have time in the pool to get the hang of it

roisin · 03/02/2008 10:31

This subject fascinates me.
DS1 was taken regularly from being tiny but had no 'natural aptitude'. He didn't swim (without floats) at all until he was well over 6 yrs! But we persevered with lessons and regular swimming, and he is now (10) a great swimmer, and swims for a club.

DS2 could swim 5m at the age of 3. We've carried on with lessons etc., but he's not made the same progress.
Age nearly 9 ds2 has only done Level 5 of ASA Awards and passed 50m: and has been floundering in 'improver' or 'intermediate' for ages and ages.
By this age ds1 had done 400m, Level 9, plus qualifications in snorkelling and plunge diving!

Catkin08 · 03/02/2008 10:37

My DS is 8 months and can 'swim' but only underwater!! He propels himself to the surface but is unable to swim on the surface (without support) IYSWIM?? Apparently babies are unable to do this until around 3.

Catkin08 · 03/02/2008 10:38

And PS Tillyboo: How fab is your DD? I love that she did it a few times to make sure it wasn't a fluke!

mumtoaprincess · 09/02/2008 16:49

My dd has just turned 4 and has just swum 200m without armbands. Started lessons when she was 3 years old. I take her to the pool about 3 or 4 times a week in addition to her lesson.

cathy5 · 26/02/2008 14:07

My ds has been swimming both through lessons and with me once a week since he was 4 months, he is 2.5 now and he is really confident in the water.He can swim with a woggle (6 widths once) but when he lets go or comes off the woggle he just goes under-although he doesnt get scared he just thinks its funny,he needs more strength to keep himself afloat

bozza · 26/02/2008 14:12

I like your story roisin. DS was 6 before he swam independently. He has just turned 7 and has still only got his 10 metres badge. He was taken from being a baby (with 3-4 months of irregularity when he was 3 and DD was born). He has had weekly lessons since 3 1/2.

TrixieVix · 28/02/2008 20:45

This may be a stupid question, but how do I find out where/who does swimming lessons for babies in my area? Yell.com has been unhelpful...

OneHandedTypist · 28/02/2008 20:48

Try ringing local swimming pools/leisure centres, TrixieVix.

Nemoandthefishes · 02/03/2008 20:17

DS is 4.4yrs and has his 25m badge

FranMay · 03/03/2008 20:43

Wow, am dead jealous of everyone and their swimming dcs. My ds is 3.9 and will not tolerate the idea of a swimming pool! I love swimming so it would be great to get him going... but he's so reluctant We tried once when he was 9 months, he screamed, then he got eczema. Then he had a course of lessons when he was nearly 2 and just got used to going. Then I had dd so couldn't take him. Now feel we've left it a little late and he'll never swim!!

morningglory · 03/03/2008 20:45

About 3 here too. I started taking him regularly to the pool starting 3 months, though (I love swimming).

CountessDracula · 03/03/2008 20:46

Hulababy · 03/03/2008 20:49

DD learnt to swim unaided just after turning 5, after just a few lesons. Round here you can't start proper lessons, without parents, until 5yo. And we were rally bad and never used to get round to taking her the rest of the time. She can now swim happily for a good length or so on her front and back, but she is currently having a break from lessons, although she starts school lessons after Easter.

Quattrocento · 03/03/2008 20:50

Both of them learned to swim when they were four

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