thebears

What age did yours start? And was there any point in spending money on safety/swimming lessons for 3 year olds?

jayr

2 and a half.

Yes, get them used to water as early as possible. For non-swimming 3 year olds the main lesson is in getting back to the side. Invaluable as drownings is I think the highest cause of death in small children.

thebears

Thats what we thought - doggy paddle and self control around waters edge.

KatieStar

I took my baby at 6 months old. He loved it. There was no point at that stage only fun for him and me. We are having a break for winter then he will restart.

I would say for a 3 year old it would be worth it, at the pool I take Zekie to they teach all of the kids water safety and if even a bit rubs off it would be worth it.

Katie

Hels

My first swim when I was born was at 4wks old at the beach on Bribie Island...My sister started my niece with swimming lessons at around 18 months and she has loved the water ever since. You cant start them in the water too early IMO....

thebears

Yes we have had her in with us since 12 months for the play and splash etc. But just thought it time to start a more structured learning program. Our local gym has a swimming instructor who specialises in young kids.

KatieStar

He went to the lessons at 6 months. He loved seeing the other babies and splashing about. It is good as they teach them through games and build on it as they get older.

Katie

Hutch

Our son's been swimming since he was a small baby. Nearly five years old now and can swim a length of the pool no problem with no flotation devices. Does some mean 'bombs' too.

Princess Leia

I've been taking my daughter on and off since about 18 months and now that she is 3 we have been going consistently every week. I don't think she'll end up in the olympics representing Australia (must be the English genes heh heh) but I will be happy if she can swim before she starts school.

banjo

our eldest started lessons at 2. We just did it for the spring and summer term as autumn and winter were too cold in Colac for swimming. I would say it is invaluable and now having come back to the UK he (now 4.5) is swimming confidently without armbands etc. I'm trying to get my 2yr old into lessons and can't find anywhere here that will take them before 4!

thebears

I think our little one is going to spend alot of time surfing and swimming in the ocean.

thebears

When did you leave Colac?

Were you there long? remember the local hardware store?

katsmajic

I took mine swimming straight after their last baby jabs, about 4 mths old.
oldest 2 are great swimmers, and have done their 'lifesavers awards etc'...8yr old doggy paddles like mad but it gets her around the pool and even the 3 year old can easily get the side of a pool.without float aids etc
he prefers the leaping/bombing in though...
I think getting them to swim is really important, you never know but it could save their lives.

manxfamily

Our youngest girls 8 and 4 have just taken up lessons since our move from the Isle of Man 4 weeks ago. The 8 year old restarted, but my 4 year old had never had a lesson until last week.

Today my 4 year old was floating on her back with no floaties and freestyle swimming with her face in the water again no floaties, I noticed a huge difference in the way swimming is taught here, they focus very quickly on the children feeling comfortable with there eyes etc in the water, best money I will ever spend and the kids love it!!

M J

Started our son at 4 1/2 months with water confidence lessons.Hes now 9 months and hangs on to the side for safety,swims underwater and last week swam a few strokes of "puppy paddle" to me with armbands on!! Highlight of my month.Never too early i think.