The Best Age for Swim Lessons: Understanding Individual Development and Effective Techniques
The Best Age for Swim Lessons
In the day and age of AI, I thought it would be interesting for it to crawl the internet and give some feedback. The general consensus was this, “The age at which your child should start swim lessons depends largely on their individual development and comfort with water. Generally, it's advisable to start introducing them to water as early as possible. However, formal swim lessons are typically most effective when the child is at least 4 years old. At this age, they are usually more capable of learning and following instructions, which can lead to more rapid progress and long-term swimming skills. Nonetheless, every child is different, so it's important to assess their readiness and confidence in water before enrolling them in lessons.”
My personal opinion having coached swim lessons for decades is that children each develop at their own timing however, I see the most progress between 3 and 4 of them grasping what I am teaching. I will tell you that the kids who take to swim lessons “the best” are the kids who were introduced to water younger than older. They don’t exhibit the same signs of fear that kids who were never introduced to the water have. For example, let’s say a child did parent tot classes from the ages of 1 to 2 and then the parents took a break for a few years. That child comes back at age 4 to resume lessons, that child will most likely learn in just a few months. They understand the principles being taught and take quickly to the process.
Kids have different fear levels! Some are “wild” and “brave” and just go for it. You also have other keiki who are “cautious” and “concerned”. They will both learn how to swim! Just be patient with both. The wild kid is perhaps willful and the cautious is well, cautious! They will both learn once they decide they want to learn!
My favorite age to teach currently (this changes all the time) is the 3-4 year old class! They push and challenge me to be patient and calm and fun all at the same time. I utilize a lot of toys for all ages but this age in particular. If you take their mind off the scary water and get them focused on that dinosaur, rubber ducky, or gem you will see a whole lot more success because FUN is the name of the game when learning.
At any age, enroll your child! Because drowning is real! And that is a terrible trauma on the whole family regardless of the outcome. One other thing to note: private vs group classes. Both are great! You have to read and know your child. Some kids need one on one attention and/or that child might just be paying attention to every detail going on around them in a group class and that pushes them, but another child might find that overwhelming.
I believe in meeting kids right where they are mentally, and somedays I push them to challenge themselves, and other days I step back and see what they come up with their own creativity and mindset. Swimming is not a straight line in progress! Sometimes you think oh great we are are almost done with lessons and then the next week we are back to square one! Just be patient is the best advice I can give.
Mahalo for trusting me to teach your keiki! I adore them and I love what I do. The best compliment you can give your instructor is feedback. So be honest! If you think we can push your kid more, let us know. Our usual approach is one with caution and care.
Aloha,
Coach Jenny