Teaching your child to swim is essential. It can be something that saves their lives. There are a few things to keep in mind about how early you can teach them to swim.

The Benefits of Learning to Swim Early

There are many benefits to your child being an early swimmer. For one, accidental drowning is one of the most common causes of death for babies and children. When your child knows how to swim, this is not so much of an issue.

The child will also be able to have more fun in the water as they will not be tethered to bulky flotation devices. It will make spending time in the pool more enjoyable for you too, as there will not be as much frustration or concern for your child’s safety.

Start as Early as Possible

You should start teaching your child about swimming as young as possible, even as a baby. There is plenty of research that shows babies can learn to swim, as they are still used to the fluid atmosphere of the womb.

However, there is a lot to be said about the peace of mind of the parent. If you are not comfortable with dropping your infants into a pool and allowing them to learn to swim on their own, you can wait until they are older.

Even if you want to wait until your baby is older to teach her or him to swim, it does not mean you cannot start getting them accustomed to the water when they are young. The best way to do this is by taking them in the water with you.

There are many flotation devices you can use, or you can hold them and walk around in the water. By adjusting to the water while they are still babies, they will not be fearful of it and have a better chance at success.

Taking a Class is Best

Even if you are the most talented swimmer, teaching a child to swim can be difficult. It can be frustrating and time consuming, sometimes with very little results. This is why it is best to take them to a class on swimming.

When you put your child in swim lessons, they will be able to get training from a professional. Since the teacher knows what it takes to teach children to swim, your child will learn quickly. You can feel confident that your children are learning the proper techniques and tricks that will keep them safe when they swim.

Choosing the Right Swimming Lessons

Putting your child in swim lessons is not as simple as going to your local pool and picking a class. You want to make sure that you find a class that will give your child the best chance for success.

There are a few aspects to consider here, including:

1) The educational background of the instructor.

2) The age range of the class (you do not want to put your toddler in a class that is designed for older children).

3) The class size – smaller is generally better in this case, as your child will get the one on one time they need.

4) The length of the class – A one hour class will more than likely not yield great results. However, a six week course that meets a few times a week can give your child great results.

If it’s possible, try to do a little research on the instructor or school. You want to know what other parents thought of the class. This can also help you to understand what the child will learn in the class.

You should also find a swim school where safety is discussed at length. You want to make sure your child understands how to be safe when they are in the water.

Go over this with them periodically so they will remember what to do. This should include instructions for whatever type of water you are swimming in. For instance, if taking your child to the beach, you may want to teach them the stingray shuffle and how to keep a wave from taking you out further.

Repetition is Key

Once your child knows how to swim, it does not mean that they should stop receiving formal education. Each year in spring, as the weather starts to warm up, it is good to take a refresher course with a swim instructor.

This will help them to brush up on their swimming skills and may help to teach them a thing or two. It is also a good idea to reiterate proper water safety before going in the water to keep your little one safe as well.

Bottom Line – How Young Should My Child Learn to Swim?

The biggest thing to remember is that each child learns in their own time. Some children swim easily and will pick it up right away. Other children may take a long time to learn to swim. This is why it is important to give them reassurance that they are doing a good job rather than getting frustrated that they have not mastered the skill. In the long run, this reassurance will help them learn how to swim.

How young were you or your kids when you started swimming? Or: What’s holding you back from letting your kids learn to swim?