| Swimming Lessons for Young Children |
By: Vered DeLeeuw, Parenting Products columnist
On 2/10/06
Here’s a confession: I don’t swim very well. My parents tell me I was swim-challenged from the very start. It took me five years and countless lessons, both group and private, until I mastered freestyle to a point that enabled me to swim a few laps. My technique is still flawed.
| "According to the Little Dipper Swim School website, there are many factors to consider: comfort in the water, physical strength, coordination..." |
No wonder then, that it has always been a priority for me that my own children would swim well. We all tend to want more for our kids than we had.
When Tamar, my oldest, was almost four, her dad took her to her first swimming lesson. Tamar flatly refused to put her head in the water. The swimming instructor explained that since they only teach strokes properly, she has to put her head in the water in order to learn how to swim. After a few more futile attempts, we decided to wait until she was a little older.
When Tamar was almost five, we tried again. This time around, she readily put her head in the water. Within ten lessons, Tamar was able to swim freestyle for short distances. A year later, at the age of six, she is a great swimmer and loves to swim.
Appropriate Age
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children are generally not developmentally ready for swimming lessons until after their fourth birthday. Since children younger than four learn to swim at a slower pace, they do not have any advantage over children that start at age four.
Finding a Good Swim School
According to USA Swimming, the National Governing Body for competitive swimming in the United States, children find success and fun in developing and improving skills. This is one of the most satisfying aspects of sports. The most important question you can ask following practice is, “Did you have fun today?”
When looking for a good swimming school, look for instructors that are gentle and compassionate, especially if your child is reluctant at first. It will be easier for your child to trust her instructor if they have a close relationship.
Make sure all swimming styles are taught correctly, without the use of artificial aids such as arm wings.
Water temperature is very important. It is much easier for children to focus on swimming techniques when they are not shivering in cold water. A temperature of around 92-94 degrees Fahrenheit is considered ideal.
Good swim schools encourage students by giving them achievement awards for their accomplishments. Some schools give awards for specific accomplishments, such as mastering side breathing when learning freestyle. Others have a ladder of ribbons that they give to children as they complete the different stages of learning how to swim. The Gold ribbon is usually given to a child that masters each of the four competitive strokes: freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly.
How long will it take?
According to the Little Dipper Swim School website, there are many factors to consider: comfort in the water, physical strength, coordination, ability to focus, maturity, interest, and motivation. Often, a child will acquire new swim skills in quick bursts of learning. After a quick acquisition of new skills, there may be a plateau, followed by another quick burst of learning.
How Much does it Cost?
This largely depends on where you live. In the Bay Area of California where I live, a single small group lesson (3-4 students per group) costs around $15, although some schools charge as much as $23 per lesson. New York City is even more expensive with swim schools charging around $25 per lesson, according to New York Metro Family Guide. It is safe to assume that in other metropolitan areas, and especially in smaller towns, swimming lessons would be less costly.
Swimming is a low impact, fat burning activity that provides cardiovascular workout while toning the body. Swimming is also a lifesaving skill. To ensure that your child becomes a swimmer, get her used to being in the water from an early age. When she is four or older, make sure she learns how to swim properly at a reputable swim school. And don’t forget to have fun in the water!
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