https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 20 May 2026 01:29:33 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-are-your-kids-going-to-learn-to-swim#post-2080367 Sun, 22 Feb 2015 01:52:58 +0000 lemondrop 2080367@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes! Both of mine have been in swim since they were 2 months old. We have a local swim school and it's our weekly family activity. My 3 year old and 11 month old are little fishies! They both do well under water and are gradually picking up swimming skills. My 3 year old can float on his back on his own and my 11 month old climbed out of the pool on his own yesterday! </p> <p>Just like @sandy: I'm not a strong swimmer and not very comfortable in deep water, so I want mine to be good swimmers- especially since many people have pools here in AZ, there are too many drownings year round. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-are-your-kids-going-to-learn-to-swim#post-2080310 Sat, 21 Feb 2015 23:08:20 +0000 apis 2080310@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>LO started his first swim class at just over 8 months. We've missed a semester here and there but we're usually in some kind of swim class for him. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-are-your-kids-going-to-learn-to-swim#post-2079628 Sat, 21 Feb 2015 11:39:45 +0000 sandy 2079628@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@regberadaisy: finally got a chance to ask DH about the YouTube videos. It's called uswim but he says there's lots of good ones out there. They have a series of videos that progresses through several levels and it's easy for LO to watch </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-are-your-kids-going-to-learn-to-swim#post-2071774 Mon, 16 Feb 2015 12:29:48 +0000 Ocean girl 2071774@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes, absolutely! She did a few rounds of swim lessons before she turned 1 and we will get her back into them next fall. We are moving to a small island in July and DD will need to be a strong swimmer with all the beach time she will have growing up! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-are-your-kids-going-to-learn-to-swim#post-2071747 Mon, 16 Feb 2015 12:17:41 +0000 cascademom 2071747@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We did a swim class last summer before his second birthday. This summer, we'll probably do another one. Today, I just signed him up for herdball (soccer) to burn energy on Saturdays during the spring/early summer. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-are-your-kids-going-to-learn-to-swim#post-2071740 Mon, 16 Feb 2015 12:13:46 +0000 babynumber1 2071740@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>LO is 3 and is taking them right now at the YMCA. She loves the pool and the winter is a slower time for us. She is taking them with a friend from school and really loves it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-are-your-kids-going-to-learn-to-swim#post-2071480 Mon, 16 Feb 2015 09:43:31 +0000 LuLu Mom 2071480@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>She will, but right now I feel like all the classes for her age are more of a "get used to the water" type thing and she does just fine in that regard. She will blow bubbles, go under, jump to us, ect. so if I'm going to spend the money I want the class to actually teach her how to swim not just play. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-are-your-kids-going-to-learn-to-swim#post-2071428 Mon, 16 Feb 2015 09:14:39 +0000 mediagirl 2071428@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes, she will take swimming classes every summer (not in the off season) until she is a good enough swimmer for a swim team. Even then she may still take lessons to learn new skills. We'll see. </p> <p>Last year she took a swim class and while she didn't learn to swim, she got used to the water and was willing to jump into the water and put her head under on her own. If nothing else, it teaches them confidence in the water. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-are-your-kids-going-to-learn-to-swim#post-2071418 Mon, 16 Feb 2015 09:04:21 +0000 illumina 2071418@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'll sign her up for classes once she gets to around 2-3yrs, but if she doesn't like it we won't force her to continue. I was enrolled in swimming classes but hated it until I was around 8yrs old! I don't want my LO to feel like I did. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-are-your-kids-going-to-learn-to-swim#post-2071415 Mon, 16 Feb 2015 09:03:10 +0000 littlebug 2071415@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>D starts the parent/toddler class at the YMCA in a couple weeks and I can't wait! I can't remember a time when I couldn't swim, and being in the water is like 2nd-nature for me. I took swim lessons for many years, was a very strong swimmer, and then did synchronized swimming for 10 years. So it's really important to me that D learn to swim. I wish we could have started him sooner, but we couldn't afford the Y where we used to live! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-are-your-kids-going-to-learn-to-swim#post-2071408 Mon, 16 Feb 2015 08:59:27 +0000 MrsADS 2071408@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Definitely and as soon as possible, i.e. as a baby. We're in south FL and everyone has a pool, canals/lakes everywhere, the beach, etc. so I think from a pure safety perspective it's very important to know how to swim. There are stories about toddlers/young kids drowning here on a too frequent basis :sad: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-are-your-kids-going-to-learn-to-swim#post-2071346 Mon, 16 Feb 2015 08:05:18 +0000 mrsjyw 2071346@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We started swim lessons at an indoor, heated pool when he was 14 months for 6 months and took a break since it was summer time and we got a lot of water time outdoors. We're in the great lakes state and DH and I are big fans of the water, swimming is a must in our family!</p> <p>We just started a few weeks ago (he's just over 2 now) and he's doing great! He is swimming alone now with the instructor instead of us going in the water with him. </p> <p>He's learned a lot of skills: blowing bubbles, going underwater, wading, kicking, floating on back, monkey crawling across the pool edges, jumping in, etc.</p> <p>He's always loved the water and even though the parent/tot classes were tedious sometimes (repetitive if you're in one level too long), it was worth it for us! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-are-your-kids-going-to-learn-to-swim#post-2071333 Mon, 16 Feb 2015 07:50:34 +0000 looch 2071333@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I used to be a certified water safety instructor, I never remember a time where I couldn't swim. </p> <p>Now, my son is 4. I've brought him to pools, tried lessons, we have a pool in our backyard and the kid refuses to go into the pool. He finally decided last year, in OCTOBER to go in, the weekend we closed the pool.</p> <p>Learning to swim is really important to me, but my son isn't cooperating and I am not going to force it, because I don't want to turn him off from the water completely. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-are-your-kids-going-to-learn-to-swim#post-2071224 Sun, 15 Feb 2015 23:37:50 +0000 MamaCate 2071224@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrbee: We started lessons with LO last summer at age 2.5. She went for two 10 week sessions. We went from her not wanting to out her face in the water to being able to kick and breathe across the pool (a small pool). We are resuming in March. </p> <p>We have a pool in our complex so we tried to practice with her when we went during the week. We also live in a place with a lot of pools so it was a safety issue for me.</p> <p>@sandy: I am the same way. I learned to swim eventually but I still don't love it and I want LO to have a better experience. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-are-your-kids-going-to-learn-to-swim#post-2071217 Sun, 15 Feb 2015 23:27:19 +0000 hellocupcake 2071217@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hopefully this summer!! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-are-your-kids-going-to-learn-to-swim#post-2071209 Sun, 15 Feb 2015 22:58:00 +0000 Caly 2071209@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Absolutely. We spend a lot of time at the lake &amp; in the boat so it's very important they learn to swim. They've already spent a lot of time in the water &amp; love it. Even if we didn't spend a lot of time at the water, I think learning to swim is a pretty basic important skill. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-are-your-kids-going-to-learn-to-swim#post-2071177 Sun, 15 Feb 2015 22:27:11 +0000 spaniellove 2071177@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>He's signed up for an indoor class that starts when he'll be 10 months. A lot of our neighbors have pools and spend summers at the Shore so knowing how to swim is a must! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-are-your-kids-going-to-learn-to-swim#post-2071169 Sun, 15 Feb 2015 22:24:17 +0000 regberadaisy 2071169@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Probably not since we have a pool and dh is a really good swimmer. </p> <p>@mrsjazz: good to hear that dd is on point with someone who's taken lessons! :)</p> <p>@sandy: the YouTube videos are a great idea.any specific ones he liked? I would like dh to concentrate a bit more on instructions this year than just water play. He's a great swimmer but has never taught a tot to swim so it might be nice to have some pointers. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-are-your-kids-going-to-learn-to-swim#post-2071142 Sun, 15 Feb 2015 22:06:39 +0000 mrs. tictactoe 2071142@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Liam took lessons last summer and didn't learn too much, but did gain water confidence. A few of our friends did more intensive classes and their kids were completely swimming alone at just 2 years old - going under and everything. I would like liam to be at that place by the end of this summer. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-are-your-kids-going-to-learn-to-swim#post-2071138 Sun, 15 Feb 2015 22:05:19 +0000 Boogs 2071138@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DS1 has been in a weekly, indoor class consistently for the last year and half. He's afraid of water for whatever reason and still doesn't swim solo. Getting to the point where it feels like maybe they aren't working as hard as they could be with him. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-are-your-kids-going-to-learn-to-swim#post-2071127 Sun, 15 Feb 2015 21:55:55 +0000 sandy 2071127@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes! I'm not a strong swimmer and I really want LO to enjoy being in and around the water. I enjoy it but I have a lot of fear/anxiety too and I don't want that for her </p> <p>We started going to parent-tot time at the pool when she was around 16 months and just went regularly so that she would enjoy being in the water. My husband watched toddler swim instruction videos on YouTube with LO and they would practice the skills at the pool together. It gave her a lot of confidence watching these little babies and toddlers going underwater. By 2 she was swimming with a noodle on her own, could submerge and propel herself to the wall for short distances and would be comfortable going short distances bw me and DH. She can sit on the side of the pool and propel herself short distance to us. We did some swim classes at 2.5 and the teachers were great at giving us other "drills" to work on. We took a break this fall and winter bc of the health issues with A and have just started back. She's enrolled for classes again starting in March - when they're 3 they go to class alone and don't need a parent in the pool - yes! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-are-your-kids-going-to-learn-to-swim#post-2071089 Sun, 15 Feb 2015 21:37:08 +0000 Mrs. Pen 2071089@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes! we started at 6 months old at the YMCA. He's almost three and has really gotten a lot out of it the last two sessions (that are 8 weeks long each). He can now swim with a flotation device, put his face underwater, climb into/out of the pool, etc. </p> <p>I try to get him in every session now - and we get a substantial discount for being members, but we missed this session. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-are-your-kids-going-to-learn-to-swim#post-2071042 Sun, 15 Feb 2015 20:57:28 +0000 mrskc 2071042@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yep, he just started 2 weeks ago at 2 years old. He loooooves the water. He cried through his first lesson but did great at his second one! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-are-your-kids-going-to-learn-to-swim#post-2071000 Sun, 15 Feb 2015 20:20:14 +0000 birdofafeather 2071000@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yep. She was in the pool at 6 months, lessons at 13 months (mommy and me) and last month at 24 months, which was just an instructor and 3 kids. She doesn't know how to swim but is very comfortable and happy in the water. Hoping to find a place soon for her to continue lessons. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-are-your-kids-going-to-learn-to-swim#post-2070949 Sun, 15 Feb 2015 19:40:33 +0000 Chocoholic 2070949@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes. DS is taking his first session in March at 14 months. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-are-your-kids-going-to-learn-to-swim#post-2070871 Sun, 15 Feb 2015 18:06:10 +0000 snickers 2070871@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes DS has been doing lessons year round at the local indoor pool since he was around 5 months old. We live in NZ, so on an island so its very important children learn water safety early on. He absolutely loves it, we have a Sat morning class so my husband can do the class with him - its their special thing :)</p> <p>Its amazing how confident he is in the water, he is 19months and will dive off the side into the water on his own (with my husband there of course). We can't keep him out the sea either, he loves swimming! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-are-your-kids-going-to-learn-to-swim#post-2070868 Sun, 15 Feb 2015 18:01:38 +0000 Foodnerd81 2070868@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>She will take swimming lessons, but not sure when she will start. We take her in pools sporatically so hopefully she will continue to be comfortable in the water until then. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-are-your-kids-going-to-learn-to-swim#post-2070855 Sun, 15 Feb 2015 17:49:57 +0000 mrsjazz 2070855@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrbee: We have a friend whose daughter will be 4 in September and she takes weekly classes at the Y. At that level she is taking the classes without a parent (they start at 3 w/o parent) and she's a pretty good swimmer. She's learning backstroke now, I believe. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-are-your-kids-going-to-learn-to-swim#post-2070842 Sun, 15 Feb 2015 17:32:47 +0000 Dandelion 2070842@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes. Our local university has swimming lessons every summer. This summer will be his 4th year. M starts when hes 3. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-are-your-kids-going-to-learn-to-swim#post-2070833 Sun, 15 Feb 2015 17:21:42 +0000 Mrs. High Heels 2070833@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes, N started when she was 3.5 and now she can float, and swim a short distance without assistance. She is learning how to backstroke now. </p>