When to Start Swimming Lessons... - Greenwood,SC

I agree with everyone else. I sooner the better. If a child grows up with a fear it is much harder to get over that fear.

I had both my boys in the water when they were 6 months old. I had them playing in the baby pool and getting used to the water.

Swimming lessons started then - with me - as I was a certified life guard and trainer. they got to do classes with others when they were 2. They were taught how to float on their backs - BABIES CAN DO THIS...promise.

To me - swimming is something everyone should know - it's a vital life skill. They need to know how to survive in the water.

My daughter started actually swimming (dog paddling) at 3 1/2, so I think that this is the perfect time for your son. Her favorite thing always has been the pool, though...if your son isn't so interested, you might want to wait. I see kids who still don't feel comfortable at 5 years old.
Best of luck!
M.

Yep should be a great age to start. And in my opinion when to start depends on other factors. Both my husband and I are/were swimmers so we started when our child was 6 months. We've been doing year round lessons since then and our child is now 6 years. My child also has never had any fear (jump right into the water) another reason we continued lessons.

The younger the better! The younger they are the less fear they will have. 4 is a great age. Why not?

K. B
mom to 5 including triplets

I agree the younger the better for putting them in the water. We put my son in Emler's baby classes a little after he turned 6 months old. He loves the water. He knows the rules though and knows the consequences for being unsafe include the pool for the day being shut down immediately, time to go in. It's only happened twice in 4 years (once was running at the pool, once was swimming out further when I asked him to come to the side so I could talk to him--I was dressed and pregnant, not in the mood). Last year at 3 years old he could swim the length of the pool, and his favorite was to go down the water slides into the 4' pool by himself, and swim to the steps (about 10'). He was so good and so fast, other people would video him. On our videos, you could hear other parents saying "why are you scared, look at that little baby with his face in the water, watch him go!" He hasn't been signed up this year yet, but it's only March. It MAY be something we do during the summer (swim team through the rec center), but I don't know the details here since this will be our first summer in this town.
My younger guy: we did the same for him, but he is only 16 months old and we've sat out the winter. With little ones, you do kinda start all over if you sit out the fall/winter. The best classes are the ones like Aquakids which are indoor heated pools and you can choose whether you want to go a couple times a week, or everyday, and whether you're going to go for 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, or all year....whatever. The more the better, in my opinion.

My son turned 3 and we started right away. Our park district lessons start at that age, and I didn't think he was ready for them earlier anyway. He hated the water, but after just one session, he's dunking his head! Now sounds like a perfect time for your son to start!

I did parent and baby classes with my 9 month old and my 5 year old had her first lessons at 3 and I just signed her up for the next level today.

Would he like to start?

And "sooner" isn't always "better" -- our swim teacher told us you WANT kids to have a healthy respect for (includes fear of) the water. And a 6 mo cvan't have that. Playing yes--but you know what I mean.

I think 4 is a great age to start. I remember being very young when I started, probably 4-5. I like to think of myself as a good swimmer. My daughter is 5 and her sister is 3 I plan on signing them both up this summer.

Yes, Perfect timing!

He will be able to sit on the edge and follow instructions all by himself!
Level 1

~We have a pool, I skipped the 'mommy and me' baby classes b/c my kids got exposed to the water enough already.

It's almost summer!

I started at 3. If you can find an indoor heated pool it will be better. We took lessons from age 4-8 and she can now pull herself out of pool without any help or ladder.

My daughter started at one year with weekly, year-round classes, so I think 4 is late to start. I would get her in lessons ASAP.

My mom helped financially with swimming lessons at the YMCA and YWCO and 3-4 years old is the youngest without the moms or dads having to get in the pool with them. Our children and grandchildren, and now her great grandchildren start at 3 and 4 depending on their birtdates. My 10 year old grandchild is a fish and loves the water, and she started when she was 3 and went for 3 or 4 years. She ended up swimming in the deep water because she was so advanced over the others in her class.
M.

My son started at about 3 1/2, and he was able to feel comfortable in the class and follow instructions just fine at that point. We have a pool, and he'd done some mommy and me swim classes just for fun, so he was already well adjusted to being in the water...

He turned 5 in January, and he can now doggie paddle and tread water on his own.

I'd say that if it's important for you to have your son learn to swim, then yes, now is definitely a good time to start.