Swimming lessons for kids

[nilamsmehta]

Hi,

I was thinking about putting my son into some sort of swim class. He is only 15months so it would be more for fun and socializing. Can anyone recommend places to go?

[sillingw]

The swim school my son goes to is run by Aussies and is very professional, at that age, the parent has to go in the pool with the child just so you know. The school is near Holland Village and I can give you the details if you are interested. My son is in an older class, has been going every week for about the last six months and really enjoys it - the class sizes are very small - only 3 - 5 kids in a class

[durain]

i think 15 months old is a little too young for swimming lessons. what you can do is dip in the baby pool with him. or in the big pool, get a float for his age. not the donut type, but one where the baby legs goes in (and they are usually shape like a duck or boat!). he will love it in the water.

[keiferli]

Hi Durain

What age in your opinion would be suitable for swimming lessons? My tot will turn 2 soon and i am thinking of swimming lessons for him.

[durain]

i did ask a swimming instructor about lessons for baby and he said maybe about 2-3 years old. reason for that is the baby wont listen to or understand his instructions! i guessed in a way, it is true.

i was told the best way to get a baby to swim is when they are newborn! they will swim on their own underwater! i have only seen it on TV. amazing!

[keiferli]

You are probably right about the obeying instructions thing durain. I'd probably let him play in the wading pool and enjoy his splish splash sploshing for now.

[nilamsmehta]

I know he is too young to learn to actually swim, as I mentioned this is more for socializing and fun. We have a pool in our community and he loved it but there are hardly any children every in it.

If you know any places I can even take him to let me know.

[sillingw]

I think you are never too young to be introduced to swimming - at a young age, it's not about teaching swimming as such, more about playing, having fun, being comfortable - the swim school i mentioned above takes the kids at ths age, but one parent is in the pool with their child - it really is a great introduction

[cbavasi]

there is the aqua ducks swimming school. all the locations offer infant swimming but the one on dempsey hill is babies only.
http://www.aquaducks.com.sg/programmes.htm

[nilamsmehta]

Thank you for the feedback, I will look into it. I took him into the pool today and he had so much fun!!!!

[chichi14]

I would like my son to learn how to swim too! But then, he is only 4 months Too early? I brought him to the pool yesterday. It's amazing how he can float by himself ( with me holding his neck, lying on his back position ).

[road.not.taken]

Our babies were in the pool before they could crawl. I don't think any age is too young, but I'd make very sure the class was age appropriate for whatever age your child is. When they are very young its more about a pleasant bonding time with you and your child and decreasing the fear factor. The sooner they learn to love the water, the better. Or more accurately, the less delay in returning them to their soothing, original water environment, the better chance they'll enjoy swimming as adults.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Like road.not.taken, my kids were also in the water from about 3 or 4 months of age (as I was when I was that age). The earlier the better as they spent the first 9 months of their lives in water. They are a natural at that age. These photos are of my son in Apr 1990 when he was 8 months old. as you can see, he's doing fine. Obviously when the crown of his head hits the surface we have to gently bring him up so as not to cause him any anxiety and then keep them close to the chest to keep them reassured. Works a treat. Both of my kids were taught that way. (I had to keep my wife away from the pool though...... She's afraid of the water and that fear would transmit across to the babies read quickly if not careful.

[mules]

start them as early as possible, as swimming is a life skill! both here and overseas they suggest after 6 months, more due to the levels of chlorine (particularly in indoor pools) on young babies.

i started "lessons" which is more about water familiarity at 6 months with my daughter and i see a huge difference now between her and the comfort levels of children who are in the same class as her now (at 2+ years old).

we are happy with this school, we went both to one of their locations, but now have their instructor come to our condo as there were other kids interested.

http://www.swimminglessons.com.sg/young ... essons.htm

good luck!