https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 09 Apr 2026 12:24:39 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-swim-lessons-1#post-2577277 Tue, 28 Jun 2016 21:22:48 +0000 Jess1483 2577277@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My kiddos (1 year and 3.5) both did the survival swim lessons. They were expensive (and time-consuming) but worth it for us. I'm very impressed with the outcome and confident that my 1 year old would flip over and float (and also scream) and my 3.5 year old could get out of most bodies of water if they fell in. This fall, LO2 will start learning the swim as well (the instructor said they can swim younger than that, but they're unlikely to be able to actually pull themselves out of the water, so best to use their energy to float). They (as per our instructor's directions) never wear floaties or puddle jumpers of any kind because it teaches them to orient themselves incorrectly in the water. </p> <p>That said, I'm still totally paranoid and never let them get near the water without me. But it greatly improved LO1's relationship with water in general. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-swim-lessons-1#post-2577189 Tue, 28 Jun 2016 18:58:02 +0000 Beth24 2577189@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I grew up a swimmer and always knew that when I had kids they would take swim lessons at an early age....it's such an important skill! My daughter took a few at 9 months and then we started a new program at 15 months that's an awesome mix of fun and safety skills. She loves it and has become really comfortable in the water. She's a bit fearless but we don't have a pool at home so I'm not too nervous of her getting into much trouble at this point. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-swim-lessons-1#post-2577142 Tue, 28 Jun 2016 16:37:36 +0000 daniellemybelle 2577142@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>How sad! We were just at our gym pool today. :crying: </p> <p>We do a parent/child swim class that is once per week and $80/month. So far the big thing I've noticed from it is that when we get in the pool she looks for the edge and she will say, "Elbow, elbow, knee, knee" as she climbs out and she can climb out pretty much on her own. That is a little reassuring to me as far as safety but she still needs to learn to float which is a big part of water safety.</p> <p>Right now I keep a puddle jumper on LO unless we are practicing swimming. We talk about it when she puts it on and takes it off. She's 2.5 but I do think she gets the difference. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-swim-lessons-1#post-2577060 Tue, 28 Jun 2016 14:36:34 +0000 JenGirl 2577060@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@skipra: I'd heard the same thing until I stumbled upon the new recommendation. Honestly, there's a lot of more important stuff for pediatricians to keep up with, so I'm never surprised if they aren't completely up o date on all recommendations. Especially for something like this that AAP is basically saying "We don't know - you figure it out!". But, that's also why I do my own research and ask stuff here on HB! :wink: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-swim-lessons-1#post-2577043 Tue, 28 Jun 2016 14:23:58 +0000 skipra 2577043@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JenGirl: Thanks! That is good to know. I must have heard outdated information but I was told to wait until 4 by their pediatrician just last month. Yikes wonder why he hasn't heard the new information. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-swim-lessons-1#post-2577017 Tue, 28 Jun 2016 14:05:24 +0000 JenGirl 2577017@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@skipra: Actually, AAP updated their recommendation since newer research has shown that swim lessons in the 1-4 range may be beneficial. So they still have the recommendation that children over 4 should learn how to swim, but they don't have a recommendation either way in the 1-4 range, but basically leave it up to parent discretion and say that kids are ready to learn to swim at different ages. </p> <p><a href="https://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/pages/AAP-Gives-Updated-Advice-on-Drowning-Prevention.aspx?nfstatus=401&#038;nftoken=00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000&#038;nfstatusdescription=ERROR:+No+local+token" rel="nofollow">https://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/pages/AAP-Gives-Updated-Advice-on-Drowning-Prevention.aspx?nfstatus=401&#038;nftoken=00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000&#038;nfstatusdescription=ERROR:+No+local+token</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-swim-lessons-1#post-2577014 Tue, 28 Jun 2016 14:00:44 +0000 Cole 2577014@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with @KayKay:, my 20 month old has been taking swimming lessons since 9 months and she is awesome to watch in the water, she jumps in and swims short distances under water BUT she's fearless, we have to watch her like a hawk because she's just so excited to get in. She's desperate to be allowed off the diving board. It's really fun but feels more dangerous at this stage. By the end of next summer I'm sure we will be closer to a point where her skills could be useful though so it might just be a growing year and a stage we just have to push through as safely as possible. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-swim-lessons-1#post-2577006 Tue, 28 Jun 2016 13:49:48 +0000 KayKay 2577006@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think the important thing to teach them from a very young age is to respect the water -- that they never go in without an adult accompanying them, etc. I actually think that loving the water too much and/or early stages of being able to "swim" can give them a false sense of security. Like, I know my 4yo can jump into the deep end and swim over to the wall by herself. But could/would she do that outside of that controlled situation? She definitely has an over-inflated sense of what she can/should do, so it's almost more scary than when she was younger and was scared of the water and only jump in directly to us, etc.</p> <p>You obviously have to work through that point until they get bigger/stronger/better, and I'm not saying kids should NOT do swim lessons. They definitely should. But especially for young kids, I wouldn't necessarily equate swim lessons with always being safe(r) in the water. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-swim-lessons-1#post-2576997 Tue, 28 Jun 2016 13:39:39 +0000 maddyz 2576997@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have been really happy with the Mommy and Me swim classes I have done with my 16 month old. He is not learning to swim really, but learning to hold his breath and paddle himself a bit. It's also been really great for me to learn how to handle him in the water, what he can do and how I can help him. I feel safer knowing that he can hold his breath for 10-15 seconds and come up happy. I would NEVER let him near water with holding him and I am right next to him playing in the kiddy pool. But it's helped my comfort and his, which I think is super important for swimming later. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-swim-lessons-1#post-2576989 Tue, 28 Jun 2016 13:30:40 +0000 skipra 2576989@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think the AAP does not recommend swim lessons until 4, I think in part so that parents do not feel overconfident in their swimming skills. With that said, we do swimming lessons for my 2 &amp; almost 4 year old. My 2 year old makes me really nervous in the pool because he has no fear and doesn't fully understand that he can't just swim by himself. I think if you're going to do lessons, try to find some that focus on getting the kids to float, always go back to the side, and do not rely on floaties the entire lesson. We had a terrible experience with the YMCA just having the kids jump in with bubbles on their backs and swim away from the wall. Seems dangerous to teach young kids to do that! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-swim-lessons-1#post-2576941 Tue, 28 Jun 2016 12:56:59 +0000 Foodnerd81 2576941@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>That is so scary for that little 2 year old! </p> <p>We did mommy and me group lessons with my then 2 year old and I don't think she learned much at all. But she wasn't that comfortable with the water so that was my main goal. As it was she cried through the first 3 of 6 lessons. I definitely think she would have done better with private or semi private lessons at that point. </p> <p>If you do the lessons can you do it with one kid at a time and have someone else watch the other? Or I guess if it's semi private the instructor would be focusing just on you anyway. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-swim-lessons-1#post-2576869 Tue, 28 Jun 2016 11:38:42 +0000 rattles 2576869@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The infant survival classes I priced were $470 for 6 weeks. We opted to put my 3 yr old in semi private (2:1) lessons this spring with a two week long kick start of daily lessons and then weekly lessons after that. The price was much more reasonable. She was willing to do much more with the instructor than she was with DH and me in the beginning, and now we're able to reinforce what she's learning during the week. I do put her and her sis (1.5) in puddle jumpers at the pool if I'm solo with them though, just in case. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-swim-lessons-1#post-2576864 Tue, 28 Jun 2016 11:35:30 +0000 GoGoSnoGirl 2576864@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh gosh, that's terrible. :crying: We just started swimming lessons (mommy and me) &amp; I think it'll take many classes to get my 1yo LO to the point we'll feel comfortable taking her to the lake or to the in-laws' pools. </p> <p>It sounds like your LOs are very comfortable, @anonysquire: so perhaps you can skip to the skill level that would suit you best. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-swim-lessons-1#post-2576862 Tue, 28 Jun 2016 11:34:47 +0000 kodybear 2576862@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>my 1 and 3 yo are in swim lessons. i think my 3 yo will get it this year, probably not my 1 yo. but i want them to get used to the water and going under. we live in a hot area and i've already heard of a couple 2 and 3yos dying just in the last month :-( i don't want my kids to rely on puddle jumpers or floaties. i've def seen kids as young as 18mo swim so i think its possible. alot of those kids are ones that enroll in programs like ISR swim survival programs. i don't think thats necessary for us, we don't have a pool and they're not around pools super often. but def worth looking into if you're around the pool/water alot. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-swim-lessons-1#post-2576846 Tue, 28 Jun 2016 11:25:19 +0000 Maysprout 2576846@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'd ask questions about the goals of the class, get recommendations, and who the instructors are so you don't waste time/$$. Lots of kids around here go to regular swim lessons but still can't swim or barely swim at age 5. Some of those parents worry me the most bc they'll give their kids more leeway than they're probably ready for in the pool.<br /> My dd just turned 5 and the kids who are the strongest swimmers had regular instruction and go to the pool to play A LOT (and have older siblings). I think if you find a good instructor they can give you good tips to work with them on during your regular visits. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-swim-lessons-1#post-2576800 Tue, 28 Jun 2016 10:38:09 +0000 anonysquire 2576800@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T.H.O.U.: ok, thanks! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-swim-lessons-1#post-2576799 Tue, 28 Jun 2016 10:37:30 +0000 anonysquire 2576799@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mediagirl: ok, maybe I'll check out the local classes. In going to have to try that blow in your face thing though. Thanks!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-swim-lessons-1#post-2576797 Tue, 28 Jun 2016 10:37:06 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2576797@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes.... I would 100% get swim lessons if you are around water that often and with two kids! </p> <p>We had an incident with friends this weekend were a lifeguard had to pull a child out of the bottom of the pool. </p> <p>Being comfortable in the water has nothing to do with pool safety. Its a great first step and I would consider it means they would do great in lessons with learning how to kick and float. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-swim-lessons-1#post-2576794 Tue, 28 Jun 2016 10:36:12 +0000 mediagirl 2576794@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@anonysquire: I don't know. I think we got something out of our lessons at age 2 so I'm glad we did them. At 3 it really felt like she was picking stuff up, though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-swim-lessons-1#post-2576790 Tue, 28 Jun 2016 10:34:57 +0000 anonysquire 2576790@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mediagirl: $500!!! I need his job haha. So if my kids are relatively comfortable in the water, do you think I don't need swim lessons this year? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-swim-lessons-1#post-2576786 Tue, 28 Jun 2016 10:33:11 +0000 mediagirl 2576786@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh and there is some swim lesson you can have your kids take that teaches them to flip to their backs if they fall into a pool. <a href="https://www.infantswim.com/" rel="nofollow">https://www.infantswim.com/</a> There is a guy in our area who will teach your kid this for $500. Yeah, not a typo. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-swim-lessons-1#post-2576783 Tue, 28 Jun 2016 10:32:03 +0000 mediagirl 2576783@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ahhhh!!! That is so scary. I can only imagine the parent probably was wrangling other kids and her 2 year old wandered off. </p> <p>We have done swim lessons since age 2. At 2, it was mommy and me lessons. I held her in the water and helped her get used to it. 2 was a tough age. She hated the water. The instructor helped me become more comfortable getting her comfortable. One thing she taught me - blow in her face, which will make her suck in her breath, then drop her under water for a second. That way she isn't breathing in immediately when you dump her under the water. </p> <p>At 3, she did water safety with the instructor ("where is the wall? Go to the wall"). And now this year, at age 4, she is learning how to swim. If she falls into the deep end without someone there, she can pop up and paddle to the ladder. She's getting better but I can't take my eyes off of her because she isn't a "swimmer" yet. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-swim-lessons-1#post-2576777 Tue, 28 Jun 2016 10:28:40 +0000 anonysquire 2576777@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I haven't given much thought to swim lessons for my kids yet. I have a 1 and 2 year old. They swim a couple times a week and love the water. But yesterday a 2yr old drowned at our gym pool :( (last I heard he was breathing again when they took him by life flight to the hospital) So now I'm wondering if I do need to start swim lessons right now? Here's a question that might be dumb: if I can't even get my kids to go under water or kick their legs or do anything besides splash and jump, will a stranger be able to? Not that I doubt the abilities of the swim teacher, just the abilities of my kids. When did you start lessons? And did you fee like the early lessons made a difference?</p> <p>Side note: whenever my kids are in the water I am holding on to them or they are jumping to me off the edge. And we don't have a pool at home that they would fall into. </p>