Swimming lessons

[Lobe]

My 3 and a half year old son had a week of swimming lessons during half term. I knew he wouldn't exactly end up like Duncan Goodhew by the end of it, but he really gained confidence in the water. However, other mums were talking about all the children getting a badge at the end of the course but when it came to it, the instructor said he couldn't give my son a badge as he hadn't swum a full width by himself. Apparently the powers-that-be have changed the system and children don't get a badge just for completing the course. I was quite dismayed - fortunately my son was oblivious to it. But another mum who had two children taking part had one son, aged 4, who got the badge and one aged 5 who didn't! It was so horrible to see the little boy's disappointment. If the instructor had been handing out sweets and said - no you can't have any because you didn't live up to the criteria - imagine how upset my little boy would have been then. Anyway, I'm very angry about it.

[Pupuce]

And right you are... what sort of crap sysem is that ? He is only 3 or 5!

[SueW]

How awful. There are lots of awards they can give which reward water confidence - Tadpoles, Octopus, IIRC, from my daughter's swimming teacher's manual which is always open at the side when we have lessons.

[Bumblelion]

When my daughter and then son started swimming lessons, obviously they couldn't swim but were still given certificates/badges (Ducklings, Puffins, etc.). These are swimming certificates for non-swimmers that have gained confidence in the water (i.e. can put their face in the water).

My daughter is 9 and has just swum her 900 metres and is in the swimming pre-club (where they train for the club).

My son who is 5 has just swum his 50 minutes (two lengths of pool, one on front, one on back) and did really well.

The club where they go swimming also do the National Swimming Awards (which start off at level 1 and progress to level 12 (I think)).

When my daughter (then aged 4) started swimming lessons at the local sports centre, she did fairly well but didn't progress as well as I thought she should. When my son turned 3 I put his name down for swimming lessons at the same sports centre, but there was a 1 years waiting list.

I eventually found a privately owned swimming club and I cannot recommend them highly enough.

When my daugther left the local sports centre swimming lessons, the girl who was teaching them had 13 children in her class (all aged rougly 6/7) so they didn't get much tuition in their half hour as the "young" girl had no control over the children who she was supposed to be teaching (for example, my daughter would be doing "twirls" in the swimming pool, instead of whatever she was supposed to be doing).

Since my daughter and son started at this new club, the tuition is brilliant. There are no more than 5 children per teacher and if a new child joins, they recruit a new teacher.

My son has half hour lesson once a week and my daughter has one and a half hours training once a week.

I think being able to swim is so important for all children.

[AliH]

What age should swimming lessons start? My dd is 21/4 and is very confident in the water, and enjoys going to the pool. Are early lessons about confidence and enjoyment only, or are they useful as a precursor to actually learning. I taught my nephew at 5, but wondered whether lessons might be useful earlier?

Does anyone have any firm views one way or the other please?

[bundle]

I've been taking my 18 month old since she was 6 months, and she loves it. Make sure you go to a pool which has been recommended by other mums, as one of those near us has much cooler water than the one we chose. the instructor we now have also varies the lessons a bit - including singing - and actually gets into the water, whereas the one we had before was much more laid back & chatted a lot.

[Bumblelion]

Where I take my two children swimming, they start "lessons" at 18 months but the children have their mum/dad in with them. These early lessons are to build the babies confidence in the water and, as Bundle says, the lessons involve singing games, splashing games, etc.

The children go onto have "proper" lessons where they are actually learning to swim from 2 1/2 onwards (depending on their confidence).

My baby has just had her last injection so am going to be taking her swimming fairly soon but she won't be starting "swimming lessons" until she is 18 months. My son started proper lessons when he was 3 (after waiting 1 year on my local sports' centre waiting list and never getting a place) and two weeks ago swam his 50 metres (two lengths of pool) although, even when he started lessons, he didn't need to build his confidence in the water as he had lots of it to start with.

Out of my sons class (5 children), 3 didn't manage the 50 metres as they have to do it in two recognised strokes (i.e. one length on front and one on back) although when they do their 10 metres and 25 metres they can do it in any stroke (even doggy-paddle!).

Because not all the children managed the 50 metres, this Saturday just gone the teacher did the National Swimming Awards, Level 3 which every child in the class managed so at least every child will be getting a certificate/badge next week even if it is not for the 50 metres.

[Samuli]

My local pool has swimming "lessons" for Parent and Babies. I've just finished my first course with my 16 month old daughter. There were babies there as young as 3 and 4 months. They were more active in the water, lying flat out with only their chin supported kicking legs and moving arms. Much more active than my daughter so would definitely consider it with my next baby. My daughter just floats in her ring with legs dangling and occasional splashes with arms too busy watching what is going on. She loves the water don't get me wrong and I've been taking her since she was 9 weeks old but I never knew how to get the best from her. I now know!!