Swimming Lessons - San Ysidro,CA

I haven't heard of swim lessons for a 1 yr old without the parent for just this reason. I'd consider switching to a mom and me class. Dad can do it instead of mom. But separation anxiety is big around this age group.

I am just wondering WHO takes the one year old in the water if not the parent? There would have to be one to one instruction for this kind of class. I certainly would not think the other babies are sitting at the side while one is being instructed like in classes for the older kids.

There are plenty of Mommy/Daddy and me classes out there that I would put him into. If you can't find one then skip it. It is SO not worth having him associate being afraid with water.

You know, I taught swimming lessons for many years, and it is fairly common for little ones to have that reaction at first. I think you will find that if you hide yourselves during the lesson (either go away completely, or stand where your son can't see you), he will get over himself in a matter of a few minutes. Having parents hover would create never-ending tantrums, and kids really ham it up for mom and dad because they know it pulls at your heartstrings! Try hiding and just see what happens. If he's still inconsolable after another 1-2 lessons, then go somewhere that has a Mommy (or Daddy) and Me class and try individual lessons again next year.

If you have a pool, I would by all means leave him in individual lessons until he is water-safe, whether or not he likes it. (Meaning he can jump in, come up for air, turn over on his back and float, kick himself to the pool edge, and hand-over-hand get himself to the pool stairs and climb out.) If you don't have a pool and don't go around pools often, this is not *quite* as important and you could wait until next year for further lessons.

I would take him to another class with a different instructor who will allow you in the pool with your child or if you have already paid in full go the the practices and watch the class so you can teach your baby the same techniques at home. Since he is only one I would not force him to be with the instructor if he truly does not like it. Thank you for your post because I want to sign my toddler up this summer and it also give me a question to ask the instructors.

Find another class. I don't know if there is an age requirement, but I'd recommended the YMCA.

I feel for you. I recommend waiting until he's ready, sometimes that means around 21/2 or 3 but once they are not affraid they can learn and have fun. Good luck.

At that age I preferred a class where I was in the water as well. There was a great swim program at the local high school during the summer.

I'd find another teacher, or skip the lessons for another year. At age one they really don't learn to "swim". At that age you want them to learn to like the water and how to float; you and daddy can teach that. By age 2 he can learn the water safety skills that are imperative and start to learn the swim strokes.

I suggest Mommy and Me classes. Most private or individualized lessons are just teacher and student. He's too young for that right now. My daughter enjoyed her Mommy and Me classes at 1.5 years old, but cried when the instructor held her. She did get over it after a while. The classes were just to help her feel comfortable in the water. They also helped me have the courage to completely submerge her under water. We started private lessons when she was almost 3. She's now 4 and swims the length of the pool with the freestyle, butterfly, back, or breast strokes.

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My daughter had the same problem. i made her go-after the 1st week it was MUCH better. Hang in there.

I just read everyone else's answers, i have 3 kids, and i have never seen lessons w/ parents. i have seen "la la la we are playing in the water together" classes. But, never learning to SWIM classes. My thing is, I want my kids to learn how not to drown. and, I am NOT going to be there when they fall in the pool. they need to do it by them selves. Isn't that the point?

Do want to do tough love approach to swimming? I have seen parents take their little ones to these classes and they know how to swim, but they don't love it. Safety reason they wanted their kids to swim early. What is your parenting style and needs to have him know how to swim so early? Answer those questions and you can answer your own question better us. Mommy and me is fun but doesn't alway teach them to swim.

I have twins and I took them even younger than that. The place we swim takes babies as young as 3 months. They introduce them to the water and teach them to float first on their backs.. A survival method in case they fall into the pool. My son did cry and it lasted for about a month. But, he loved the
water and still does. They still take lessons and now at 3 can swim the length of the pool. This is through a Nova swim school . You might want to google it and see if they have one near you. I think it is so important for kids to learn how to swim early. It can save a life. Just my two cents.
T.

That's really young for no parent....I've never heard of it before anyways. Enroll in some parent/me or mommy/me swim classes. I was in one with my 2 year old and she loved it and she is a good swimmer so far. He's so young and at that age of course he's going to freak when around a stranger. The teacher sounds a bit strange, or the class if it's their policy. I'd find another teacher!!

That's weird. Usually with a one year old you are required to go in with them. The swim lesson is a "mommy and me" type of class. I can't imagine expecting a one year old to take a swim class on his own. If you live near Pasadena check out the Rose Bowl Aquatics Center. They have lots of mommy and me swim classes.

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I strongly agree with Ty W.

Continue to take him to the pool when others are there too so he gets a feel of swimming/being in the pool with others.

I also would like to enroll my 1 yr old daughter

Hello, I would not take him to that particular pool. I feel that the parent should be allowed in with the child. He is only 1. He only trusts his parents and people he knows well at this age. You could try and get your money back and go somewhere where they allow the parent to go in with the child.
Good luck with your precious little baby.
K. K.

Ok I did a sink and swim class with my daughter. We live in Florida and they need to know how to get to the edge of the pool and out so they dont drown. She cried a lot in that class. But I tell you what. We were the ones in the water with her showing her how to kick with the teacher. It was very important to the teacher that we be part of the learning process. GO FIND ANOTHER TEACHER

I think 1 year old is pretty young for swim lessons unless they are mommy/daddy and me class where the parent is in the water with the child. I would not take this class anymore. Try taking him to a regular pool and go in with him.

Debbie nailed it- at 1 they aren't swimming. I was a swim instructor and the youngest child we would take is 3. At 1, like Debbie said, they are just learning to be comfortable in the water and to enjoy it. I wouldn't force him to like it with another person if he already likes it with you. You guys just go in the water with him, play with him, then in another year or so think about lessons.