3 Year Old Attention Span

If he got three warnings, I believe he needed to be put in time out. She has other (I'm assuming paying) students to teach, as well. That was three times they were interrupted by your son. I don't think it's ridiculous, at all. Her actions sound very appropriate. Perhaps, the last teacher would let it slide. Your son likely acted the same way, but the teacher didn't do anything. I would prefer a teacher who did not allow my child to be disruptive. Would you allow your son to be disruptive in a school, or at home? Even after three warnings? If not, why allow it in public?

I think it's highly possible that he is testing his new teacher and boundaries more than it's a matter of a short attention span.

The water is no place for not listening. And, since the lessons are for such a short period of time, it's not really effective to just let him do his own thing when you're paying for him to learn safety, etc.

My kids are both avid swimmers and were in the water from the time they were infants. Even still, I had them in swim lessons and my son was even on the swim team. Not listening results in your hiney getting booted from the pool. It's fairly standard procedure and children do learn that if they aren't focusing, it's time to get out.

I would talk to the teacher, but I certainly wouldn't tell her you think it's "ridiculous". She gave 3 warnings. That seems pretty age appropriate. A time-out for not responding to the warnings is also age appropriate.

I think your son just needs to get used to the new teacher and understand that she means business. Ultimately, the lessons will go much smoother.

Just my opinion.

I would ask her for follow up. When she says not listening, what specifically was he asked to do that he did not do. He may be testing this new teacher and seeing what he can get away with. He may also be a distractable 3 yr old. Are you able to observe the class to see what he isn't doing that she wants him to? If she has multiple kids or even just one that isn't listening in a pool, I think it's acceptable to put him in time out. Not listening around or in a pool can be dangerous. The length of the lesson has nothing to do with it. And if he's not listening, is he learning anyway? How well does he listen at home?

Have you observed any of the classes (new and old teacher)? Can you tell why there might be a difference?

I think it depends on the context. I'm a former lifeguard and I've raised two very good swimmers, one of who is also now certified to lifeguard. However, they were both different in their readiness to start swim lessons. How many kids are in your son's class? Was he disruptive? Was it a safety issue? How did he do with the previous teacher (other than no timeouts I mean)--did he listen, was he learning, was he interested in swimming? How are the other kids doing in the class? He might be adjusting to the new teacher's style, he might be testing her as others have said or he might just not be ready for swim lessons yet. Swimming is a little different than other types of lessons because a child who isn't listening can become a safety issue for himself and the other children.

At that age, the teacher should be making it fun and primarily getting them used to the water. If you notice other children distracted or not having fun then it might be the new teacher's style and worth mentioning to the administrators. Not all kids are ready for formal swim lessons at age 3. It really varies. I believe the Red Cross doesn't recommend formal lessons until age 4, or at least that's the way it used to be. I started my oldest at age 3 1/2, but he wasn't really ready and he took lessons for about a year before he really got much out of them. If I had it to do over again I would have waited. It all worked out since he's now the one certified to lifeguard. I started my younger one at 2 1/2 because he was absolutely fearless around water to the point that he was becoming a danger to himself and because I used to chase him around the pool deck and in the locker rooms while his older brother took lessons. I finally figured out he might as well be in the water too and it worked out well for him.

So, I think we might need a little more information to know exactly what's going on and maybe you can observe a little more to see how the other kids are adjusting to the new teacher. Based on what you've told us I don't think it sounds too unreasonable. Three year olds do have very short attention spans and the teacher should know that, but they also need to maintain control of the class for safety reasons. Good luck.