puddle jumpers

hazelhickory · May 2012

is a almost 4 year old too old for it? this is the first summer where we are able to go swimming frequently (but our dc does not know how to swim). i want him to feel secure in the water but didn't know if i should get a puddle jumper or just a kick board that he could hold on to as he learns how to kick.

what does your child use?

Smores730 · May 2012

mine will be using the puddle jumper this year. We're hoping to teach her how to swim this summer, but if not, the puddle jumper it is.

Court0026 · May 2012

We just used ours on vacation with DS who is 3.5. We will be using it definitely this summer even though I want to be reminding him about the difference when it is on and when it is off and spend some time with it off.

Brewtowngrl · May 2012

DS still uses his.

franciscaz · May 2012

I would start with the Puddle Jumper. They are real cheap. Than try and move on to floaties in a month or two.

pea-kay · May 2012

The boys used them last summer and they will use them this summer. They don't know how to swim yet (but they took lessons last summer.)

jlw2505 · May 2012

My girls are 4 and almost 6 (in a few weeks) and they are both in swim lessons but not strong swimmers. We have the swim life jackets that we will bring with us on vacation if they want to swim but if DH or I (and any of their aunts/uncles) are willing, we will have them swim without as long as we are close by as they are just not strong swimmers yet. We love the swim noodles that they can hold across their chest and have under their arms and then swim as they can still practice without getting nervous that they will sink.

KarBear · May 2012

Yes...they go up to 50lbs so should be ok.

Andrewsgal · May 2012

-auntie-:
Private lessons.

Thank you auntie this whole thread makes me cringe. DO NOT USE personal floatations devices of any kind, pay for lessons. A 4 year old should easily be able to learn to swim.

roxy_jj · May 2012

Andrewsgal:
-auntie-:
Private lessons.
Thank you auntie this whole thread makes me cringe. DO NOT USE personal floatations devices of any kind, pay for lessons. A 4 year old should easily be able to learn to swim.

I completely agree with you on the flotation devices, but I don't think that all 4 year olds should easily be able to swim. It varies depending on the child and their comfort in the water. DD is almost 5 and has been in year round swim lessons since she was 2 and still can't swim. Until recently, she was very nervous/uncomfortable being in the water without an adult to hold onto. She has made huge progress in the last 2 months and can almost swim on her own, she just isn't quite there yet. I've had some other friends have similar issues with their children.

I have no doubt my 3 year old will be swimming on his own by the time he's 4. He's also in lessons and is at the same level as DD.

outnumbered · May 2012

I agree that everybody should take swimming lessons, but some kids still do struggle in the water after being taught. My oldest was a great swimmer at 4 after a year of lessons. My son (who can now swim) still struggled, tired easily and sunk like a stone at the age of 4. When I was not going to be close to him in the water I put him in a life jacket.

auburnbride2be · May 2012

I don't think so. We got ours last year and will use it this year. She has been in lessons for a few months and is continuing those. I will still use it a good bit until she can really swim. I try to give her some time to practice swimming without it too. Her swim teacher said it was fine to use it while she is still learning.

I don't think that children will automatically go from not being able to swim to being able to swim independently because they are in swim lessons. It seems to be more of a progression where they learn skills, then put it all together to eventually swim independently.

regenab · May 2012

We used the puddle jumpers when the girls were younger (the past two summers), but this year since they are now taking swimming lessons we are using these https://www.kiefer.com/kiefer-swim--n-play-trainer-products-288.php. It allows them to use their arms and legs freely to learn how to swim. This is what they use during swim lessons at the YMCA. They are in group lessons (up to 8 kids) so they have to have them in a float device since the teacher cannot have her hand on all of them at all times. These help to keep them up so they are safe while she is working with another student. They can also jump in with these on and go under water. As they get better at swimming you remove a pad (it starts with 4). My one twin is now down to only 1 pad and can do some swimming without the trainer on at all. She can do a back float all by herself and swim the 25yard length of the Y pool. Her twin is taking it a little slower with the swimming (she hates getting her head wet in anyway), but she is down to only 2 pads and can also swim the length of the pool with the pad on.

Arm floats or the puddle jumper will not allow full range of movement for the arms and they cannot lay on their bellys well to kick their legs like you should in swimming. So since your DC is almost 4, I would go with a swim trainer. You can find other brands on Amazon, I just like the Kiefer brand swim items, they sell to all the life guards and swim teams in our area.

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