My husband and I are in agreement that our son needs to learn about water and swimming. We do not own a pool so I don't need to worry about him getting into it. And the one pool that we'd go to, he'd be supervised with us and his aunt but that is very rare that he'd be near that pool. I guess I'd like to hear from others. I was taught at a very young age and my husband didn't learn until he was 3 or 4. By 4 years old I was water skiing. So I guess you can say our views are a little different. And the only other reason why he wants to hold off is because lessons are expensive even at the public facilities. Any suggestions or input would be greatly appreciated.
Well I loved the input. What I've decided to do is hold off until next year with swim lessons. This year I'll do all the introducing at home in a small plastic pool you get from Target. I'll take him to itty bitty baby pools at G.A.P. I think this will be a good start. He loves water in his bathtime. So I think we'll do fine. Thanks again everyone. :)
We started our son at 6 months, and he absolutely loves the water. You just have to be careful that even once he becomes a "good" swimmer that you are still viligant when on or near water. Even a good swimmer can panic and drown. For us, we just didn't want our kids to be afraid of the water, so it was more about getting them in a big body of water so they wouldn't be scared when we do go to pools or the beach.
My mom started me in the pool when I was 10 mo(a few of my family members had pools). At first she just wanted me to get use to it so that I wouldn't panic if I fell in. as I got older (around 2 I think) she started me on some basics. Mostly just how to doggy paddle to the edge if I ever fell in and how to float on my back. My first formal lesson wasn't until I was 4 and b/c of what my mom taught me I was way ahead of the rest of the class.
It doesn't mean your child will be a great swimmer but those baby and mommy swimming classes are so cute and so much fun!! I have the sweetest memories of doing swimming class with my little angel daughter. Do it for that reason, don't worry about later.
I started my daughter in swim lessons at 3 months. She is now 12 months and loves going to swim class. It is very comforting knowing that just in case she were to fall into the water, that she can swim. Most swim schools actually recommend parents to start their children in swim school before they are 6 months old. Babies before 6 months are natural swimmers and more likely to adjust better to the water since they still remember being in the womb and hence find the water comforting. After 6 months, they say that your child is less likely to adapt as well and as quickly to swimming since they aren't likely to remember being in the womb. Swim schools especially say that if you child shows any sort of fear towards water before 6 months to definitely start them in swim lessons because it is not natural for babies, at that age, to be afraid of water.
I am a big advocate of starting kids early as I have found it to really help my daughter. I, as your husband was, started swim classes at 4 and I hard a very hard time getting adjusted to the water. Putting my head under water terrified me! As for my daughter, she is swimming under water and kicking for about 5ft or so all by herself and she is very confident with her ability.
I'd recommend researching swim schools in your area. There are only a select few that provide "infant swim" classes. I would then go and watch one or two of the classes to observe the style of the class and how the teacher interacts with you and your child. (I went to a few different schools before I found the program that I felt was best for my baby.) Taking your husband to watch a class may help open the door to agreeing that earlier is better and that many parents do start their kids in swim school long before that age. (In fact, most swim schools start at 6 weeks!) Hopefully this helps!
T.,
I had my son in the water at 6 months old. My husband took him to our communitee pool, in a little floaty thing, I wanted him to get use to water and not be afraid of the water.
I learned at a young age. I think maybe at 6 months old just bring your son in the water and do your own teaching to him until he is a little older and then maybe get lessons.
Good luck
