The first rule of swimming and the path to success is deciding your role as a parent before you dive in. What is the goal? Are you aiming for a safe swimmer in the water for fun and play? Or do you have an aspiring Olympian? Children who are just learning to swim may thrive in group classes offered at local recreation facilities. If this is your path follow it with as much enthusiasm and the happiest face you can muster. Why? If you are feeling anxious, scared, or hesitant about getting your child in the water they will know. I speak from experience. Currently I teach baby to toddler swim lessons and run six to ten sessions every week. The goal in my class is safety skills, survival, and fun. There are awesome parents who love getting in the water with their children and there are parents who fear it. Guess which kids kick, scream, and cry.

When and How To Get Started

Start them young when they are babies. Both of my kids were in the water at 5 months, about the age when they can begin to regulate body temperature, assuming you are using a pool that is at least 82 degrees Fahrenheit. Parent and child lessons are awesome. Most of my swimmers are 2 or younger. Start them as babies so they are not the 3 or 4 year old in a class full of 12 month olds. It can be more detrimental to their young egos to be struggling where clearly younger children excel. If you are already in this predicament aim for something one on one with an instructor to get your older toddler/child up to speed so they can quickly rejoin an age appropriate group. When they are ready for group taught lessons without parent assistance is when your parental role changes. They have an instructor or a coach who is now in charge of their development. This is an important skill for you and your child. For your child this is the introduction to group learning, a life skill used across sports and education. They are forming the ability to focus, listen, and initiate directions on their own. The parent role can be more difficult. It’s no longer time for you to be their coach, that time has passed with their graduation into an instructor led class.

Next Steps

If they are destined for a swim team this is the best practice. Participate by showing your enthusiasm in what they are doing and being able to watch them. Give them your time. If you have questions talk to the instructor, or when the time comes your child’s coach. Open communication between adults is important when the kids are little. Coaches and instructors alike can be a learning resource for you as well as your children. For more parental education on swimming, check out these posts.