Swimming Lessons for 3 Year Old

Have you looked into Hazen Pool? They have many different lesson options for you to choose for your daughter. And not expensive at all.

We've done lessons at our community pool. They do have classes (2 kids per instructor) for kids on their own at 3 but they require that they have already taken the Tots class with a parent first. We have friends who take their kids to Water Babies. It's much more expensive but they are taught more things too. Also, YMCA and other private gyms with pools have lessons.

YMCA have very good kids swimming programs and you don't have to get in the water with her. If you are not member it is a little bit tricky to sign but worth the effort. Good luck!

We attend Tiger Mountain Aquatics, on Tiger Mountain Rd. 3 minutes off HWY 18 at Issq. Hobart Rd. It is an indoor 92 degree pool in the owners backyard. The instructors are wonderful and the classes are a maximum of 3 kids. Our son has quickly learned to be comfortable in the water and is learning to swim. Lessons cost $16 for 30 minutes. We live just down the street from the pool, but know people that come from Maple Valley and the Samammish Plateau to attend this pool, it is that great. We attend preschool on the Kent east hill and it only takes us 20 minutes to get there. http://tigermtaquatics.com

I have taken my son to the Lindburg High School Pool. You did not mention what area you live in. We live in Renton. The rates are reasonable and he loves the classes.

Generally the YMCA is a great option. I taught lessons for 20 years with my WSI mostly throught the Y. Make sure that the instructors are all WSI certified to teach and that a certified lifeguard is on deck during all lessons. Safety is first. I'm not suggesting that you MUST get in the water with her, but sometimes it helps ease any anxiety she may have. You and the instructor can sit down and come up with a plan of learning for your child. Also - private lessons, while a little more expensive, are a GREAT tool!
Best wishes!

I have my 3 year old in swimming lessons at the Fife pool - most pools will give lessons for toddlers that are at least 3 w/ out you in the water. Not sure what the pool situation is up there, but Fife's is great because they have a "toddler" pool that they can actually stand in since it's only like 1 1/2" deep - I know the king County Aquatic center has a pool that gradually deepens as well. You'd just need to call to see what the pool situation is, whether it would be in a regular pool or what. Also you could check out the YMCA - the one in Auburn by the Supermall has a great pool for lessons for new swimmers and they have lessons during the daytime where there are less swimmers per class usually - you could sign you child up for the membership at the Y only (or of course there is also family memberships). Hope you find something. I know my 3 year old loves lessons.

We took our 2 yr old to Kinderswimmer. It is at a heated pool in someone's house (indoor). They aren't very organized and don't really tell you what to do but they are GREAT at teaching your kids to get used to the water first and then swim. The classes are small - 5 to a class - all different levels in the one. My daughter didn't like the bath, so my goal was to get her used to the water and for that, it was great. If they were closer to us (it's in Renton but they have other locations, I believe) we would've kept going. The heated pool is nice!

Try the YWCA, King County pools. Also your one year old is not too young to start.

Hello, I believe your best bet is to have your daughter take "Survival Swimming". This not only teaches your daughter how to not be afraid of the water, but to respect it and to know how to survive if for some reason she falls in anywhere, especially with her clothes on. We have so much water here where we live, it is important to teach our children this skill. Once your daughter has learned the basics, the instructor will teach her strokes and techniques. After that, the sky is the limit if she really loves swimming. Unfortunately I am not exactly sure of the name on Google, but I know this is a certified program that usually runs for 6 weeks, 5 days a week for 10 minutes per session. It is a bit pricey but well worth it.

Good luck.