My daughter can't swim at all, and she's going tomorrow!

[mummyloveslucy]

Hi, my daughter is nearly 5 and I think she's the only one in her class who dosn't have swimming lessons. In fact, she can't swim at all and is scared of the water.
The teacher sprang it on us yesturday that they would be going swimming tomorrow at a neer bye pool. She asked my DH is our DD could swim and he said no, definatly not. Then she mentioned that she'd need two arm bands. If I'd have been there I'd let her know that she'd be needing more than that.
I'm a bit conserned for her safety and I'm also worried she will become very scared and upset. Should I have a word with her teacher when I drop her off?

Yes, mention to the teacher so they keep an eye on her just in case. However I believe she wouldn't be the only one.

She will be OK. They should be in the training pool, it's really not deep, if she stands in the deepest part the water should only come up to her waist. They start off by just getting use to the water. 2 arm bands really is all she needs, they will have floats at the pool.

Thanks, I will. I hope she isn't the only one, but as far as I know, it does seem as if they all do. It's a very small village school so you get to know them quite well.

Lots of swimming teachers don't even advise armbands, but use combinations of floats and woggles instead. Chances are she'll be able to stand up in the depth of a shallow pool and hopefully ti will be warm. I bet she won't be the only non-swimmer either.

Dd1 is 6 and she can only swim underwater without armbands, so I'll bet there are loads of dc in her class who acnnot swim, or can only swim a little.

If you are concerned you could nip out and get her one of those Zoggi cotumes to wear with the armbands, but I think the armbands will be enough tbh.

Don't worry. It's better that she gets in the water now before she gets any older. My parents can't swim, they just never learnt. Kids adjust really well. The pool will be shallow enough for her to stand and she will be able to play with her friends. It should be fun - and seeing the others swim will make her want to try too.

mummyloveslucy you are required:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/site_stuff/901786-mummyloveslucy-you-there

she will be fine - there are usually LOTS of teachers and pool staff there and there will be people in the water with the non-swimmers

ime, it was better if I wasn't there looking anxious at the side of the pool

DD does swimming with her school and started in reception too.

There were a few children who couldn't swim at all when they started. Although there was no shallow end to th pool, they were all initially given woggles and/or floats. Then as confidence grew and swimming capabilities known, theose who didn;t require them shed their floats, etc. unles they were being used for a specific purpse.

But there were several who retained them throughout.

Do you know much about the lessons? Do the instructors get in the water with them?

My own childrens school doesnt start swimming till the Spring in year 3!!

I used to work as an LSA in school, with a child with Downs, he swam like a fish but the children that couldnt swim, went in the learner pool, no arm bands or rings were used only floats.

when my own two started swimming lessons (not with school) they only had floats, the swimming instructors didnt allow arm bands etc.
I must admit I was a bit but now I think its the best way. IMO

oops just realised when this was posted,
Let us know how it went.