With all the drownings in Arizona and stupid parents that don't watch their children... It only makes sense to ask the question when is too soon and when is too late?
2006-06-16 12:18:28 · 18 answers · asked by krspkrm dad 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Parenting
as soon as you can, just remember a child being able to swim should still be watched at the pool, I don't swim by my self as a adult, u never know what will happen in the water, someone needs to be there
2006-06-16 20:53:12 · answer #1 · answered by outdoor man 4 · 5⤊ 0⤋
The biggest thing that you can do to help your child be safe in the water is to be with them at all times. You want to start exposing them to water right away, even though they won't be ready for real "lessons" until they are four or five. One of the things that I really love is a graduated baby pool. This helps toddlers learn there own limitations in the water without putting them in as much danger as a three foot pool would. Obviously they could still drown, if they were left unsupervised, but point is it helps them learn that two feet of water looks the same from the surface as two inches does, or that if you fall in water it is hard to get up. I recommend early, informal, extremely supervised exposure to baby pools (starting when the child can walk). I recommend informal lessons from the parent(s), things such as how to hold your breath or float. I recommend swimming lessons no earlier than four, I think they released a study two years ago that said swimming lessons for children younger than that would teach them to do some simple strokes (doggy paddle) but were not sufficent to allow children to swim unsupervised, so lessons before the age of four would most likely foster a false sense of safety in the parent(s).
2006-06-16 12:44:32 · answer #2 · answered by pritti_dayzee 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My 2 younger siblings took Water baby classes when they were around 6 months old and they have been fish in the water ever since. I had my lessons when I was about 4 yrs old and my older brother swam also (he was 5 1/2). We both swim well also. I don't think that it is ever too late to learn how to swim. It is a life saving skill. You don't know if you will ever be in that type of situation, but you might.
As for floating......in answer to the person above me......all you have to do is completely relax (aka playing dead but with your face up) and take a really deep breath and your body will naturally float all on its own. Fight the urge to move and you will float.
2006-06-16 13:19:30 · answer #3 · answered by Christy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The kids can learn to swim at any time, they are great swimers if they start being really babies. The thing is that you have to be with them in classes for babies. You have to be just by his side. I believe there are lessons for babies since they are months.
You should be aware of him, maybe until they are 6 or 7 years old, then you migth leave them alone in the class. Remember that the water is always risky so you should always be aware on the security they have in the swimming school you send your children so you can feel more confident.
Don't live it aside if you really want your child to learn, it will be so much easy for him as much younger he starts, and he will never be affraid of the water if he starts when he is a baby.
2006-06-16 12:42:15 · answer #4 · answered by Popocatepetl 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i was a lifeguard when i was 16 and i taught swimming lessons for the little ones. I think it's important that you child is comfortable in the water at a young age. My daughter is 10 months old and we go to the pool at least twice a week. She'll probably be in swimming lessons (if i don't teach her myself) she's almost 3. The first stage of lessons is simple anyways (blowing bubbles, floating on your back, kicking and lots of games). I don't think its ever too late for someone to learn how to swim though.
2006-06-16 15:34:38 · answer #5 · answered by AuroraBorealis 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As soon as possible. I started swimming lessons the summer I was 2 years old and had them every summer until I was about 10.
2006-06-16 12:23:12 · answer #6 · answered by Julie B 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I started my son on swimming lessons when he was 3 as there was a pool at our apt. complex. If there was a pool in my backyard, I would have started him earlier. Be aware that he will have to take lessons every summer for 2 or 3 years. Kids that age tend to forget over the winter. Take a video camera to the lessons - they can be hilarious! Seriously, you and your child will have a blast! Good luck!
2006-06-16 12:55:21 · answer #7 · answered by olelady55 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can start swimming lessons at 6 months old
2006-06-16 12:24:31 · answer #8 · answered by mommy_2_liam 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As soon as possible, especially if you have a pool in the home. I learned how to swim around 5.
2006-06-16 12:21:31 · answer #9 · answered by sscam2001 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As a medical assistant in Michigan the doctor I work for says the earlier you introduce them to water and swimming the better!
2006-06-16 13:07:29 · answer #10 · answered by Angel 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋