Swimming lessons for toddlers....... to do or not?

I can completely understand your concern and I don't Like that harsh approach either.

I think swimming lessons are a good idea, so that children become safe around water, and I am going to start with Paige in January, but I think you need to find someone who has a better approach with kids.

Hassie, I know you live in my area, where do you go for swimming lessons, please can you give me the details as I am looking at starting with Paige next year.

thanks

Flowergirl, I'm not a swimming teacher, so I'm no pro. But I don't like the dunking thing.

My LB started swimming lessons at 15 months. Because I was heavily pregnant, his father took him. He was the only kid in the lesson, lessons where 20 mins long and the mommy (or in our case daddy) has to swim with the kids.

The first thing the teacher did was to chat with Stefan outside the pool and get him used to her. Then she asked him and my DH to sit on the step and kick with their legs in the pool, she sat on one side of Stefan and DH on the other side. After the kicking song, she showed him how to climb in safely (the way you teach a crawling kid to climb down the stairs)

She then showed him that he could walk and stand on the step, so that he knows he is safe there. They did a lot of other activities that goes along with baby songs and the whole time my DH held Stefan while she stood in front of them and instructed them about what to do.

The songs include one or two where they blow bubbles and others where they lie on their backs etc. With one song she lets the kid hold on to the side and shuffle with their hands all the way to the step where they climb out and back in again. She does this so that they would have a way of getting to the step in any pool.

Her focus is more on water safety than on learning to swim.

When Stefan was 18 months old, I started taking him to lessons in the mornings and we joined a group of two other boys with their mommies. He started swimming without me in the water after the winter break this year, he was just over 2 years old.

He now swims 5 meters (just got a medal at the gala for 5m swim, proud mommy!!! ) and I believe he is water safe. Not that I would let him near an open pool without me right next to him. But I do think if he had to fall in, he would be able to get to the side and shuffle to the step.

We also did one lesson a term with normal clothes and nappies on, where the kids had to do everything that they do in a normal lesson with clothes on. She would then also let them get into the deep, cold, big pool where the club swimmers train. She took them about a meter into the pool, with clothes on, and they had to get to the side and then climb out.

Stefan really loves her approach and he is swimming like a star. He loves swimming and the water and I have never seen any kid at the pool who didn't want to do something after some nice relaxed loving encouragement. She also won't force a kid out of his safe space.

Its all play-play, in the lesson, but they learn sooooo much.

I started my LG in September this year at 9 months, and she can already blow bubbles, get out from the side of the pool and shuffle to the step to get out (she's 1 now). She has been underwater a few times but it was fun and she loved it, it was not a harsh dunking.

This is just my experience and I must say that I love it. There is many ways to teach a child the same thing. And maybe our way takes a bit longer (although I don't really think so) but the result is water safety and a love for swimming. So I'm happy!

I go to aquatots and started taking James at 6 months. He LOVES the water, and is happy to go under. The little girl in the group with him, who has been going for the same amount of time is happy in the water, but hates her face getting wet. The issue is never forced, because the swim teacher says that forcing it will just cause issues. She does all the activities without submerging.
Secondly parents are in the water with their kids so its less of a stranger issue.
I know your daughter is older (james is only 19 months), but I would say punitive and draconian mathods are only going to aggravate her fear and potentially in the long term result in her not enjoying swimming (she might be able to swim, but wont choose to for fun)
I would suggest seeing if you can get a refund and then do some research. Look for a gentle approach and see if you can find someone where you are welcome in the pool as well (at least until your daughter is used to and knows the swim teacher). Dont ever force things. Its not essential that she submerges and you can teach water safety and bouyancy without it. Once she feels confident you will find that she is more willing to go under.

In the mean time you can also do some stuff with her to encourage relaxing in water. During baths see if you can get her to blow bubbles - even if she just puts her mouth in the water. Takes her to pools where she can stand and play (paddle) so she feels more confident. Try avoid making a big deal if she goes under as your fears will transfer to her and go swimming with her without floatation aids so she learns to trust you in the water and realises her onw bouyancy.

Hope that helps:)

MMMMM, interested to hear what they other mommies will have to say.

my son who is three years will start swimming lessons next month.

I do think that children need to learn how to swim - it is very important, however i do not feel comfortable with the way she dunked the child and shouted at the child, all of this should be done in a calm way, this is a brand new thing for a child and of course it is intimidating/scary.

Shame i hope Em is doing better today?

Ladies, need some opinions here. So please bring them on - both sides of the fence please.

So, I took Emily (16 months old) for her first swimming lesson yesterday. My sister has just recently had a pool put in her yard and we spend ALOT of time there.

I have ALWAYS been of the opinion that children should not be forced to go into the water and I HATE throwing them in the pool to "teach" them to swim.

I am a softy parent and I raise Emily with lots of TLC. I did not sleep train her because I do not believe in the CIO method. I do not hit her either. I do reprimand and discipline Emily, but I try to always look at things from her perspective and discipline in my house is done in a calm, patient, loving way.(this is just to give you an idea of how I am, not saying my way is the right way at all).

So, we took her to Lindsays swim school in Edgemead. For some reason, I sort of went with this in haste and didn't really give it much thought (BAD MOMMY!!)

Firstly, Lindsay is a bit stern for my liking. I saw her completely loose her patience with one of the other children which I did not like. THe little girl was about 3 years old and she kept trying to keep her head out of the water and lift it over backwards. After repeatedly telling her not to, Lindsay eventually screamed at her and pushed her face under the water. Now, I get that they need to be taught, but I would prefer it to be done in a more loving manner. You can be firm, but still loving, right???

Secondly, she was less than pleasant with us. Had my sister and her 2 kids there for lessons as well.

Thirdly, there was a 5 year old boy who was there for his 3rd lesson and was swimming like a pro. His father said he only ever swam with armbands before going there. So, she must be good!!!

Fourth, Emily is scared of the water. She screams when I take her into the pool. So you can only imagine what it was like when a stranger was taking her in!! She is also at the age where stranger anxiety is starting.

Fifth, we had a bad night and I am convinced that she was having nightmares lastnight.

Sixth, we have paid the R560 for 8 lessons which is non-refundable.

So, I would love to hear your opinions. What would you do? continue with the lessons or not? Her approach is to "dunk" them which she did with Emily about 10 times. Needless to say, Em was traumatised. I think it was worse for her because I was right there and did ntot help her

In hindsight, I probably should have investigated her approach first before I made a decision to take her? My concern is just that Emily is not used to the harsh treatment..........

Did anyone else take their children for lessons at such a young age, and did they use the dunking approach?