Swimming lessons for young children

3 is the minimum for "swimming" classes here. Its more of get used to the water and learn to blow bubbles kinda class. Brennan was going to get them for chirstmas lol. But he was too young, so we are hoping to get him into the summer class. I think 3 is a good age to start learning water safty. I want him to know how to swim and not be afraid of water. I have an aunt who is scared of anything deeper then her knee. No one ever taught her how to swim or anything about water and she passed on her fear to her 3 kids. Which is sad. We do alot in the water here, we have lakes down the road, and a stream/river ( depending on the time of year and the rain) across the street and down the hill. I want him to know and respect water from a young age. So really i think the younger the better.

I have heard that younger is better b/c water is natural to them. I plan on putting my daughter in them as soon as she turns 6 months

I'm not sure about age but I think it's ok to start your child early with swimming. In a sense they were swimming even before they were born so it can't be that harmful to the little ones. All you have to do is watch over them and make sure nothing goes wrong. And the socializing during those classes will help them in the future too. A win win situation if you ask me.

I think with excellent supervision there isn't a 'too young'. But I do mean excellent. Water is dangerous... especially moving water. I think I will probably start teaching my child to swim early, as well as teaching them never to go in or near the water without me, because I think the more experience they have the stronger a swimmer they will become. I know I started pretty early and am now a pretty strong swimmer... I would like to be stronger, though, as I've had some pretty scary experiences with undertow. If children are taught respect for the water, rules of swimming, as well as technique, I don't see anything wrong with starting young. Better they know how to hold their breath and keep afloat than not, right?

I'd check out the place you're considering sending him. See what the child to teacher ratio is, if the teachers seem attentive, ask what their training is, etc. Make your decision when you see what it's like.

Hmm, I haven't really thought about it, truth be told. My daughter's friend took a parent and child swim class at the Y last summer, she had just turned two at the time. I definitely think that being in the pool with a parent till they're a bit older is a good idea. I think we'll look into some sort of water class/beginner swim lesson this summer - but my daughter will be closer to 3 1/2, and we'll definitely decide for sure once we know what kind of classes are available. Huh, I'm no help at all, am I?!

Children can swim the day they are born..so naturally I don't think they're ever really too 'young' to learn how to swim. As long as they are with a confident instructor and will be supervised at all times, I think that swimming lessons, regardless of how old they are will be greatly beneficial to the child.

Swimming is the PERFECT way to make your kids more healthy and strong. They say, it's possible to start teaching them to swim from the age of 4 months! Some conditions should be observed: the water in the pool should be special one, for kids, that is without chlorine added. Second, the temperature in the pool should not be above +30 C. And also it's better to prepare your child long before, let him love water and enjoy being washed. Good luck! :)

I think it depends on the child. I've seen kids as young as six months doing really well-and loving the water. Some babies don't like it,though. I think you have to pay attention to the child. But I certainly wouldn't put a child younger than six months in the pool for lessons.

Over here in Oz, most kids learn to swim through their school but you can do it younger - although they don't really learn the main things, especially the babies, with them, it's more to familiarise the infants with water & make sure they're comfortable with water. I plan on teaching my daughter to swim myself & then when she's of school age she can do the school lessons but i'd like her to be confident in the water before that stage!