Is My Child Old Enough for Swim Lessons?

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Is my child old enough for swim lessons? When can my baby start lessons? What if they’re hesitant?

These are questions many parents, including myself, ask themselves. One of the top things on my Summer Bucket List this year was to introduce my toddler to water safety, and build up my son’s confidence while swimming.

Did you know that “97% of people are unable to identify a swimmer in danger? Drowning is not always someone splashing to get your attention, it can be a regular swimmer who has sudden chest pain, or a child quietly trying to keep from going under water,” according the the American Red Cross. When I read this, my heart stopped. I knew that swim lessons were a must this summer for both, Bryce and Brynn. This post was made possible in collaboration with FINS Swimming and Tender Nest Portraits. I am, however, sharing my honest opinion and my experience with swimming with both of my kids. To hear my story, along with some great tips on getting your kids interested in the water, read on.

When can my Baby Start Lessons?

Mommy-and-Me: After doing my research, I found out that experts say that when a child is around six months old, he is ready for “Mommy and Me” swim lessons, but whether your child will adapt to one of these classes will depend on his development, personality, and how comfortable he is around the water. As for Brynn, at 24 months, she has no previous water experience other than bath time before our lessons at FINS. But she has a fearless and free-spirited character, so she jumped right in on Day 1 of lessons. Brynnie loved it! She gravitated toward other toddlers splashing and singing songs with their Mommies too.

We signed up for 2 days a week for 30 minutes a session to keep the momentum going. While she wasn’t technically learning to swim, it allowed her to experience being in the water, and learn some beginning moves like kicking and getting her face underwater, under the supervision of an instructor and Mommy of course! She also learned how to “choo-choo” across the edge of the pool by herself, how to lift herself up and down a mat if in case of an emergency. I would highly recommend these classes for new moms as it’s such a fun and supportive environment that focuses on swim safety!

What if they’re hesitant?

Bryce is an athlete by nature, but swimming has not been a sport that has been easy for him.

Even before swimming at FINS, finding the right swim lessons and instruction was priority on my list. I told myself that I would not plan any vacations around water until I felt like he could swim across the pool, without fear. Bryce started as a beginner/intermediate swimmer. His day 1 was not like Brynn’s day 1 by any means. He was a lot more reluctant to the water. I was explained by Liam, one of the owners at FINS, that children tend to have a fear of water around age 5-6, which makes sense as to why it was so hard on him those past Summers.