If your child can swim...

bumpuser8448316 · July 2014

I'm trying to decide if I have unrealistic expectations. We just finished session 2 of 4 of swim lessons. DS (4 for those that can't see tickers) goes 4 days a week for 30 minutes. I had thought by the end of summer he would be able to swim on his own but I don't think that's going to happen. How long did it take your child to learn to swim? He did lessons 2 years ago but because he was so afraid of water until this summer I didn't push lessons. So he's really only had 8 lessons and I'm wondering if it's unrealistic to expect him to be swimming independently by the end of summer

chelseymat · July 2014

Can he swim at all? Like doggy paddle for a few seconds? Anything? Ds2 was terrified of the water and he can swim. I mean he certainly cant go in the pool by himself but he can swim. Ds1 did the same schedule lessons last summer and by the end he could swim independently too (doggy paddle) Both do the same schedule as your DS. I do not think its unrealistic for you to think he will be able to swim. Since lessons I don't have to hold either of my boys in the water and trust me they are certainly not super advanced or anything. Have you been able to practice with him? Try to practice outside of lessons

trizzie · July 2014

DS was five before it really clicked and he swam well. That was after 2 summers of lessons. He was very cautious and preferred his puddle jumper (with me right there with him). Dd took this year at 3 and was swimming right away. Every kid is different.

kcisthebombdotcom · July 2014

My oldest just started swimming solo this summer. Dd isn't quite yet. Both the kids have been in pools since they expelled from the womb practically so yeah, it takes time.

zbeesma86 · July 2014

Z can float- she knows to turn over onto her back but we did ISR swim class.

She has a little vest she wears when we are playing in the pool that helps keep her above water but she knows to kick her feet and move her arms. She doesn't swim laps or anything.

Without the vest she assumes she's in ISR and just floats on her back.

Summer just started- I bet he'll get it before summer ends. Is he still afraid of water? Or does he like to swim?

mandymack · July 2014

Emily was petrified of putting her face under water + the lack of security when floaties are removed so, she only started swim lessons last year at a swim school on our Texas vacation (because she asked for them). She was almost 7years old. By the end of a 2 week, every day for 45min session, she was climbing in/out, jumping in and swimming back to the side, swimming underwater and freestyle about 25 feet. Proper side-breathing during freestyle still needed work.

We took 8 more weeks of daily 45min lessons (every single day!) through the summer once home and she was pretty good at breast, racing back and butterfly strokes as well as flipping over on her back to float when tired and/or swimming under water for a beat or two to get to the edge of the pool. Her side-breathing on freestyle did improve but she still pops up to breath which breaks the stroke and tires her out so we are still working on that this year.

I think it's A LOT to expect a 3-5yr old to be "excellent" swimmers - they are so little!

I say give it more time and if possible, practice with him outside of lessons. Good luck!

spring_time · July 2014

DS's swim instructors have all said that DS is a strong swimmer for his age (4). I do not think he is nearly good enough to swim on his own, and would never allow him in the water without me. I do wonder, though, whether they think he is younger than he is because he is so small. I just don't see him being able to swim independently by the end of this summer.

lala5507 · July 2014

My oldest is 5 and she knows how to swim and does awesome with her puddle jumper on, but she gets so panicked when we take the puddle jumper of. So, she has the strokes but not the confidence.

bumpuser8448316 · July 2014

chelseymat said:

Can he swim at all? Like doggy paddle for a few seconds? Anything? Ds2 was terrified of the water and he can swim. I mean he certainly cant go in the pool by himself but he can swim. Ds1 did the same schedule lessons last summer and by the end he could swim independently too (doggy paddle) Both do the same schedule as your DS. I do not think its unrealistic for you to think he will be able to swim. Since lessons I don't have to hold either of my boys in the water and trust me they are certainly not super advanced or anything. Have you been able to practice with him? Try to practice outside of lessons

No, he can't swim at all. We practice almost every day.

AKB090609 · July 2014

I taught swim lessons for 8 years, I think it is absolutely possible that your son will be able to swimming by the end of summer (don't expect great stroke development at 4) I also think it is possible that he won't. It really depends on the kid and when things 'click' for them. Some of it has to do with body composition and motor control, but figuring out how to float can be really hard and can't be taught/explained in words that are easy to understand for little kids all the time. Just keep it fun and don't put too much pressure on him. I have taught kids who at 3 needed 3 30min lessons and they could move themselves effectively in the pool and I've had kids who take 2 years of lessons to move to level 2.

Andrewsgal · July 2014

lala5507 said:

My oldest is 5 and she knows how to swim and does awesome with her puddle jumper on, but she gets so panicked when we take the puddle jumper of. So, she has the strokes but not the confidence.

um your kid can't swim. If she can't swim without floatation she can't swim.

lala5507 · July 2014

dandelionhater said:

lala5507 said:

My oldest is 5 and she knows how to swim and does awesome with her puddle jumper on, but she gets so panicked when we take the puddle jumper of. So, she has the strokes but not the confidence.

um your kid can't swim. If she can't swim without floatation she can't swim.

Sorry I worded it wrong. I meant she understands the concept (the scooping and kicking they teach her at lessons) and can do the proper motions while wearing a flotation device and does swim without flotation help at swim lessons . I know she is not considered a swimmer.

lala5507 · July 2014

lala5507 said:

dandelionhater said:

lala5507 said:

My oldest is 5 and she knows how to swim and does awesome with her puddle jumper on, but she gets so panicked when we take the puddle jumper of. So, she has the strokes but not the confidence.

um your kid can't swim. If she can't swim without floatation she can't swim.

Sorry I worded it wrong. I meant she understands the concept (the scooping and kicking they teach her at lessons) and can do the proper motions while wearing a flotation device and does swim without flotation help at swim lessons . I know she is not considered a swimmer.

Let my reword my original thought. My 5 year old cannot swim, but for her, it's more of a confidence thing than not being able to make the strokes. Does that make more sense?

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