Swimming Lessons/ Teaching Kids to Swim

I hate to admit it but I think my father was right with his "over the side of the boat" technique. 60 seconds of panic and it was over and you were swimming. Then you got to learn to swim 'well"!
I don't have the heart to do that and it has been AGONY b/c every year my son is almost swimming by the end of the season and then BAM we're back where we started the next summer. I'm taking him to our health club b/c I think a stranger will be better for him to learn.

Check out www.infantswim.com. It doesn't sound like your kids are babies but you can search for instructors in your area. If they don't teach older kids they will probably have a recommendation for you.

I had my kids in the water from the time they were infants. It was just second nature to them. They are both very strong swimmers and I never had to worry about them not knowing how to hold their breath, etc.
Surely you can find classes to accomodate your children, regardless of age.
The sooner the better, in my opinion.

Best wishes!

You can take them for lessons but I know they use something called a "bubble" to help them learn. It attaches to their back so the are in the proper swimming position so they can learn quicker- you may want to try that. Those arm swimmers and life jackets really don't help kids learn how to swim.

Here in the Richmond area, Morgan Swim School is a fantastic way to teach kids to swim. It's instensive and terrific. I have a 2 & 3 year old learning to swim and are doing amazingly well. I highly recommend it.

www.morganswimschool.com

Good Luck, K.

i brought my girls to the YMCA for a long time, and the local community college by me also has swim lessons. Now, they are at a point where they need 1-on-1 lessons (weren't getting much out of the group lessons... too much sitting around while other kids were having their turn), so I've been working on it with them myself, and they've made great improvements in a short time!!! My friend has had great luck with the YMCA by her... it really depends on the instructor.

this is the swim float they used at the YMCA... i bought one for my girls. You take one section off as the child progresses with their swimming. Depending on their swim level, you may be able to buy one and split the floats between two kids (i did that... just bought belt material and a snap at Jo-Ann Fabrics).
http://www.amazon.com/Water-Gear-Float-Progressive-Orange...

we go to our health club.. they offer lessons to non members too. my seven years old does group lessons and then sometimes private lesson to really get a stroke down.. and my youngest is 4 and she takes private lessons and is almost ready for group. then after lessons I get in the pool and swim with the kids.. they listen to the insructors better than me.. or some of my friends go to the ymca.
L.