Swimming lessons - WWYD

jettagurl

B & N took lessons last month for the first time.  2x/week x 3 weeks.  B loved it and did great. He will be doing the next session we're able (Sept). 

N did well, just not as well as I expected.  I'm sure my expectations are likely out-of-whack.  She is really resistant to what the instructor (HS girl - N loved her, she did great with N)asks her to do. She'd blow bubbles with her mouth, but not her nose, she'd float on her back, but would always convince the instructor to let her use the kick board.  She was just more giggly than normal, and I think, really considered this playtime - not learning time. 

So, if you've put your 3- 3.5 yr old in lessons, is this normal?  Did you continue, or do you wait a year or so until they mature? 

 

j-w

Sounds pretty ok to me for being a first time experience.  I think I'd keep going with it.  How else will she learn, you know?

jettagurl

j*w*:

How else will she learn, you know?

I agree....I just wonder if we wait til she matures a bit, will she make greater strides? Like if we keep going now, and it takes 6 sessions to become an decent swimmer, could we have done that in 3 sessions in we wait til she's 4.5 or so?

I guess I can't decide if this is age related (B is 5, she is 3.5) or if it is personality related (B is serious/shy/competitive and N is more friendly/jokester/lazy).  

 

 

rebs

Sounds totally normal, my DD was like that at first. Then last time she got a high school boy teaching that I swear she had a crush on and would do anything he asked;)

I would keep her in lessons.  If you take a break you could run the risk of her becoming scared of the water which is a much bigger problem to overcome.

shiloh17

I used to teach swim lessons all through HS and College. At her age, what you described is the norm. At 3-4yrs., the goal is to get them into the water, bubbles, basic kickboard and back float. If they put their faces in, its a bonus! Its all about getting them comfy with the water and building the basics of kicking and floating. Each kid is different. Some freak out the entire time, and others are like fish. It sounds like both of your kids are off to a great start :-)

j-w

I'm going to add that swimming, IMO, takes a looooonnnngggg time to learn.  I think keeping a child exposed to it on a regular basis makes the most sense/strides.

Starr57

jettagurl:

j*w*:

How else will she learn, you know?

I agree....I just wonder if we wait til she matures a bit, will she make greater strides? Like if we keep going now, and it takes 6 sessions to become an decent swimmer, could we have done that in 3 sessions in we wait til she's 4.5 or so?

I guess I can't decide if this is age related (B is 5, she is 3.5) or if it is personality related (B is serious/shy/competitive and N is more friendly/jokester/lazy).  

 

 

Just wondering... Is this something your instructor is guaranteeing? DS goes to swim lessons twice a week during his daycare hours (he goes to a YMCA) and we're seeing SOME improvement. He's been doing this since the middle of June and had a month of paid lessons before that. I just don't see how they could become a decent swimmer in just 6 lessons.

shouldbworkin

At that age, I did it just to get my kids used to being in the water.  I would wait until next year and see how it goes then.  Until then, expose her to the water as much as possible.

jettagurl

Starr57:

jettagurl:

j*w*:

How else will she learn, you know?

I agree....I just wonder if we wait til she matures a bit, will she make greater strides? Like if we keep going now, and it takes 6 sessions to become an decent swimmer, could we have done that in 3 sessions in we wait til she's 4.5 or so?

I guess I can't decide if this is age related (B is 5, she is 3.5) or if it is personality related (B is serious/shy/competitive and N is more friendly/jokester/lazy).  

 

 

Just wondering... Is this something your instructor is guaranteeing? DS goes to swim lessons twice a week during his daycare hours (he goes to a YMCA) and we're seeing SOME improvement. He's been doing this since the middle of June and had a month of paid lessons before that. I just don't see how they could become a decent swimmer in just 6 lessons.

No, not any guarantees, I just pulled that out as an example of 'what if'.....would it take 1/2 the time (and 1/2 the money and, ultimately be in her best interest) if we waited a few months to continue.

ilovemygirls

jettagurl:

j*w*:

How else will she learn, you know?

I agree....I just wonder if we wait til she matures a bit, will she make greater strides? Like if we keep going now, and it takes 6 sessions to become an decent swimmer, could we have done that in 3 sessions in we wait til she's 4.5 or so?

 

It sooo depends on the kid & the instruction.  My oldest was super coordinated & loves to learn so after her initial class at 3.5 she skipped up like 3 levels.  My youngest (4) isn't nearly as coordinated as her sister was at that age & actually just got put back a level.  She loves the water, but she also doesn't have the "drive" for it that my oldest has.  The place you take can also make a big difference.  For a kid that needs a little extra help (like I think my youngest will bel), we may go to a place around here that is more highly recommended by my friends, but is also more expensive.    They rave about how much better their kids did in those lessons than at the community pool.

MrsSR

I'd keep her in the lessons.

Was she giggling because she was scared/worried?  I sometimes laugh when I'm nervous and I'm 29!

jettagurl

MrsSR:

I'd keep her in the lessons.

Was she giggling because she was scared/worried?  I sometimes laugh when I'm nervous and I'm 29!

LOL.  No, she's always just giggly/laughing at everything.  She's never serious unless she's having a meltdown.

 

lollitots

Neither of my older two got anything out of swim lesson until they were four (we started at age 2). They just were not coordinated enough, I think. I have my 3 yo in lessons this summer, and my entire goal is to teach her to float and put her full face in the water while blowing bubbles. If we get those things by the end of summer I consider it a success.