Swim class question

[Anonymous]

Honestly, I think kids will learn to swim when they are ready. Some kids will be ready at 4, but it doesn't really sound like he is one of them.

We took it very easy and did not do swim lessons at all but spent a lot of time in the pool. Both of my kids (several years apart and totally different body types and personalities) taught themselves at age 6. It was like something clicked and they just started swimming. At that point, we did do some swim lessons to help a bit with technique and build on the doggie paddle approach.

A few of the people I know whose kids took lessons very young started swimming around age 4, but many did not. I think it's a nice idea to acclimate to the water and keep it up, but I wouldn't expect progress for another year or so.

[Anonymous]

Op here. Thanks for validating that the floatie is wrong. It just blows my mind that he’s had 24 lessons and still can’t kick off the wall. When I tried to ask the teacher what was his problem so I could work on it and she said he’s doing fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op here. Thanks for validating that the floatie is wrong. It just blows my mind that he’s had 24 lessons and still can’t kick off the wall. When I tried to ask the teacher what was his problem so I could work on it and she said he’s doing fine.

So take him in the water and work on it. Bring him in the water yourself without the floatie. It isn’t hard but they do need 1:1 attention.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op here. Thanks for validating that the floatie is wrong. It just blows my mind that he’s had 24 lessons and still can’t kick off the wall. When I tried to ask the teacher what was his problem so I could work on it and she said he’s doing fine.

So take him in the water and work on it. Bring him in the water yourself without the floatie. It isn’t hard but they do need 1:1 attention.

OP here. Pool opens soon. It's outdoors and has been closed for the season.

[Anonymous]

What swim school are you at? Talk to the manager, tell them what skills/timeframe you are aiming for, and ask how their program will help you get there. My sons were also “stuck” at Big Blue, but as soon as I made it clear what my goals were and that I was paying attention, they started progressing more quickly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, I think kids will learn to swim when they are ready. Some kids will be ready at 4, but it doesn't really sound like he is one of them.

We took it very easy and did not do swim lessons at all but spent a lot of time in the pool. Both of my kids (several years apart and totally different body types and personalities) taught themselves at age 6. It was like something clicked and they just started swimming. At that point, we did do some swim lessons to help a bit with technique and build on the doggie paddle approach.

A few of the people I know whose kids took lessons very young started swimming around age 4, but many did not. I think it's a nice idea to acclimate to the water and keep it up, but I wouldn't expect progress for another year or so.

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[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, I think kids will learn to swim when they are ready. Some kids will be ready at 4, but it doesn't really sound like he is one of them.

We took it very easy and did not do swim lessons at all but spent a lot of time in the pool. Both of my kids (several years apart and totally different body types and personalities) taught themselves at age 6. It was like something clicked and they just started swimming. At that point, we did do some swim lessons to help a bit with technique and build on the doggie paddle approach.

A few of the people I know whose kids took lessons very young started swimming around age 4, but many did not. I think it's a nice idea to acclimate to the water and keep it up, but I wouldn't expect progress for another year or so.

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I think they have to be given a chance though, to be one of the kids who learns? If they are really still blowing bubbles that’s a poor use of time and money. 4 is old enough to be able to get around safely in the water if not use a beautiful stroke. I’d expect that after 6 months! My kid is not particularly coordinated and she definitely was able to be water safe around this age.

[Anonymous]

My kids have done Goldfish intermittently for a few years... 8 yo is a decent swimmer now, 5 yo still learning but very enthusiastic but when we play in the pool she wants to show off how far she can swim, slowly increasing distance between parent and pool wall, although she's basically diving/gliding more than swimming at this point. But the comfort and enthusiasm for being in the water is there, the rest will follow with time. 8 yo can probably do a few 10 yard laps or so, and tread water for like 30 seconds... key pre-reqs for him to be able to do and enjoy things like jumping off the diving board at most pools (need to be able to swim unassisted afterwards to get yourself out).

[Anonymous]

My kids took lessons with Maurice @ Capital Splash Swim Academy. This was some years ago, but I know he still does lessons. He was so great with them and they learned over the course of the summer when they were 4 and 6. For the 4 year old it was basically just doggy paddle. My 6 year old by the end of summer was doing back stroke and crawl.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We used to go to Goldfish and now go to Foss, and the kids don’t wear floaties at any level.

Can you tell us how the two compared? I'm looking for lessons for an older 5 year old.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't feel like DD is learning much of anything at Goldfish, but at least they're not in floaties.

Same. We’ve been there for over a year and I still don’t feel like my 7 year old is water safe.

[Anonymous]

You need to take him more than once a week. We got this rec from an experience swim instructor and it was right on. We sucked it up and instead of doing 8 45 minute lessons over 8 weeks, we did 6 hour lessons over two weeks. It was like a switch flipped, and my kids have never looked back. They were maybe 5 and 7 at the time.

I've talked to *so many* people with the same issue. Once a week isn't enough at this point.

[Anonymous]

The jumpstart clinics at Goldfish are great. My kids have both progressed into the Swim Force developmental swim team there after a year of lessons (started in Glider 3 and a couple JS clinics.