XP swim lessons

blushingbride_08

 My LO is 14 months old. What is a good age for starting swim lessons? I personally feel like he is too young to understand if I tell him to blow bubbles or kick his legs. Classes are a bit expensive so I would like to take him when he will learn the most. Right now he is content playing in the bathtub lol. What is the ideal age to start swim lessons when it will not to a waste of money since I'm on a tight budget?

missyishere

I assume at that age the swim lesson type is a tot/parent course. I took DD when she was 9 months, and she loved it! However; If it's expensive, I wouldn't worry too much about taking your LO. Our class was pretty inexpensive.

NCMichelle

My kids have been taking lessons on and off since they were 6 months old.  My DD is finally old enough to take lessons without me getting in the water (starts at 3) and is pretty darn good.  I wouldn't let her swim in the deep end without me, but she can get to the wall on her own and swims a little under the water.  

When they first started taking lessons (mommy & me class a the Y) it was all about getting used to the water.  Being held, splashing water in their face, etc.  Totally worth it, IMO. 

kwitt22

I took dd when she was 7 mos. Our local Y had classes for 30 bucks a session. So it wasn't too bad. She obvisously didn't do much but she like splashing and grabbing toys.
Honestly it's more about getting comfortable in the water than actually learning to swim!

Glitter Pop

We took DS at that age and it was more about getting familiar with the water. We just finished a 2 week class at almost 3 and he actually can swim now. I would never allow him in the pool without me, but he can swim under water and to the side to pull himself up. If you have access to a pool I think taking your child so they can be comfortable and not scared. I would save the expensive class for when your lo is older.

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wino2006

We started both girls when they turned 3 and could take lessons without me getting in the water. Classes before that are about water adjustment which they had plenty of exposure with us swimming. DD1 is a great swimmer and is already on a swim team. 

flyingsaucer

I think it's sorta pointless (as far as swim instruction is concerned) before 3 years old.  You can do water adjustment stuff on your own by taking kids to the pool frequently.  Plus, I have no desire to get in the water with them (in a class type of situation), so I waited until DS was 3 and will do the same for DD

ilovemygirls

We started parent/tot when our oldest was about 6mos old.  Never did that w/our youngest- we all just went to the pool a lot as a family.  IMO, that is just as effective.  At your kiddo's age, the most important thing is to get them comfortable in a pool setting.  Totally different than a bathtub.  If you guys can go swimming as a family even a couple times a month, that will give him the exposure he needs to be ready for actual Red Cross swimming lessons at age 3.  There are some community centers where we live that are very affordable to go to open swim, so it doesn't have to break the bank.  My kids are amazing swimmers, I believe, because we exposed them to the pool early & often. 

ali0608

We did one session when DS was one.  He HATED them and cried the entire time.  They had us dunk him and I think he hated that.  At the pool, though, he was never that upset.  He's always been a little careful/hesitant around the water and I've been OK with that.

We started swimming lessons again and he still hates having water in his face, but other than that, he's managed just fine starting now instead of so young.  

We also live in the Midwest where we're not around pools constantly.