Swimming Lessons... - Ada,OK

you can do the mommy and me class yor 1 year old will become acquainted with the water and enjoy the time with you. Don't expect kicking and the rest to be swimmer quality. Most kids develop a water fear at the age of 2 because they realize it is scarey. The best thing you can do is head that of with classes etc.

Building your child's confidence in/around water and teaching water safety is never a stupid idea. For more info check out this link: http://www.infantswim.com/.

A little about ISR: For more than 40 years, Infant Swimming Resource (ISR) has been teaching children critical Self-Rescue™ swimming skills -- giving children the competence and confidence to safely enjoy the water. ISR’s technique teaches babies from 6 months to 6 years of age how to save themselves if they were to end up in the water alone.

To date, ISR has 790 documented cases of children using ISR techniques to save themselves from drowning.

We are BIG fans!

Are you kidding?? Swimming lessons are the best thing for her, it could save her life! It is hot here in Vegas and every other backyard has a swimming pool. Every year we hear of multiple drownings. I can't find any stats, but it is NUMEROUS! You are so right for thinking your child needs swim lessons, I don't care how old.

way too young... we tried it and it was a waste of money. wait till 2 1/2 at least, unless you have a pool at home and need your baby to have water survival skills.

I would check with facilities in your area to see if they offer classes for children that young. Personally I think age 1 is too young, but I admit I know very little about teaching infants to swim. Most kids I know started as early as age 3.

I personally think, despite Susan's being a coach, you should expose your child to lessons asap! I'm trying to figure out a way to take my son to lessons with my new schedule change. I want him in them so bad. I have looked into the infant swim and I wish we had a program here. About once a month I go and ask for them to find someone to become certified.
I don't think traditional lessons would help any, but the infant swim could be invaluable.

The sooner the better then they get used to the water and swimming lessons so young also teach the baby how to float in case of an accident.. I wish i started my 3 year old earlier.. She is now getting lessons and she doesn't even want to pay attention so i defiantly think its a good idea..

I would TOTALLY put her in lessons. Think about what you want to get out of the lessons. Do you want her to learn to swim or just feel comfortable with the water. Different programs have different goals, so consider that when picking a program. I'd recommend one-on-one lessons if you really want her to be safe in the water, or Mommy and Me if you just want her to be more comfortable when you take her in the pool.

When my son (now 4) was 18 months old he could tip into the pool at any depth, circle back to the wall and pull him self back out where he went in. He loved his swim lessons. At the time he was the youngest child the swim school had had in private lessons (they started him in Mommy and Me but moved him after the first lesson because he had already mastered those skills swimming with me every day).

He's a fantastic swimmer now. He can dive in and retrieve objects from the bottom of the deep end. Float around on his back, swim wherever he wants and keep up with the older kids games in the pool. He has NEVER used any kind of floaty (except for a life jacket at the river).

HTH
T.

My daughter has been in swim class since 6 months and my son is starting at 6 months tomorrow!

My daughter is 27 months and is very close to dogging paddling by herself.

Susan is right. Your girl is to young. Even if you decided to get her into swimming classes, she will do with you exactly the same things you could do with her without paying for the class. You can even get one of those inflated plastic pools you can set at you backyard or deck and get her used to being in the water. The fun is for you to get out of the house and see others doing the same thing and paying for it, but you won't get your daughter to swim.

My son is currently taking lessons at the community center nearby. I like to watch the other kids too, there are none that young taking lessons per se, however it looks like a mommy and me class starts in the session afterwards...not just mommies (a couple daddies too) and their babies. Some of the babes look pretty young, say about 6 months but there are some yearlings in there too...their parents have access to the kickboards and some other training toys. Some of those little tykes look like they love it! So check w/ your community center, YMCA or local pool for one of those type classes. I'd give her a couple more years for the more 'lesson' type lessons. :)

As a swim instructor and coach, I can tell you Swimming lessons are of minimal value before age 3.

If she loves the water---great! Take her to the pool and let her play. Swimming assistance for very small children is good if they are afraid of the water. Before age 3, there is very little in the way of swimming skills that can be taught and retained.

edit: ok, several people disagreed with me...and that's OK. I personally, would not spend my hard earned dollars for someone to try to teach swimming lessons to MY one year old. Who already loves the water! Yes, Lovinlily said dd loves the water....you cannot get a one year old to follow large motor skill commands....but you are welcome to spend money to try, folks. Re: you must have them float if the fall into the pool: why would any parent ever leave their child unattended by the pool. You'll be spending the money again in 2- 4 yrs. for lesson when they can follow instructions. Oh, the reason for the many drownings in Vegas, is not the "swimming ability" of babies, but the lack of supervision of the parents. Just my expert opinion of 22 years in the industry.

I started taking my son at 6 months and it has helped immensely. I don't think it will help him to swim but it definitely has exposed him to the water. He was afraid and cried for a few times but now enjoys it. We sings songs and play with the toys.