Hey Guys!

As an AUSTSWIM certified and ASCTA swim coaching member, i have a fair bit to say on the topic!

But i'll just write a quick reply right now, and maybe throw up some advice later!

I always get asked "When is the right time to start my Child swimming?"
Now, i'd have to say from experience the right answer is ASAP! Every swim school will have different ages which they start from... My swim school (Rackley Family Swim Schools - www.rackleyswimming.com ) Start from the age of 4 Months.

The reason for this, is to get children in quickly, but the 4 month gap is left to let their immune system develop! Remember, children are always getting sick in area's where other children are (think schools, child cares etc.)

I remember back to the days when i was first starting work as a trainee, and watching my first baby lesson... I saw the child (6 months old, who had been swimming for 2 months) almost swimming in the pool, then came the time where the shold went underwater... I watched, almost amazed at how long the child was underwater. The instructor was one of our most experienced, and i have full faith in her teaching, but i thought "is she going to pick this child up out of the water?". The child eventually made its way back to the surface for a breath, no coughing, no water swallowed... nothing. To this day i am amazed at how well baby's can swim from such a young age. Their breath holding is a skill learnt from being inside a womb and it is a case of "use it or lose it". The sooner you get them in the water, the greater chance they have of retaining this ability.

Swimming lessons can be a great oppurtunity for bonding between you and your child!

Enjoy!

even if your very little child becomes a proficient swimmer, they still need serious supervision around water since accidents do happen.  but i agree with the writer that early lessons are extremely positive for little children.

I started my son at 6 months - purely to have something fun & relaxing for us to do together. He loved it and really took to the water. He has continued since (except for one term when his sister was born). At times I wondered if it was worth the expense and the hassle. However he is rapidly gaining in skills and it seems to all be clicking now at three. In Australia, particularly, where we all live near water, I think it is a safety issue. I know that he would be OK if he should fall in. Having talked to a friend who teaches swimming about what happens when you get three year olds who have never been in the water before, I have now also booked my 5month old in. It is difficult taking 2 to the pool on my own and getting all three of us dressed & undressed etc.... but well worth it! Hope this helps! Katherine

it's never too early to take your children to swimming lessons. In my opinion, the earlier they start the better

I took my son at age 8mths to help him socialize with other kids apart from a gap when I separated and when I had my accident he has been in water confidence and learn to swim ever since (he is 6). I enrolled him after my friend told me this story. My friend Tracey was at a birthday party when her son Jack was about 2ish. They had a half full spa but it was one of those cases where one person thought the other person was watching the kids. A little girl unsure of age 1 1.5 perhaps dropped her bottle in the spa, tried to get it and fell in. Jack was able to get in the spa and not only get himself out but the girl as well. Needless to say, Tracey was horrified as were the other parents of what could have happended but astounded to see Jack dragging this little girl out of the pool both kids soaking wet. The little girl have never had waterconfidence, Jack had. I believe if my son fell in or if pushed in  a pool/spa etc he has a much better chance of survival as he is used to the water and is less likely to panic and can use his arms and legs and do the breathing to give us the vital time we need to save him. Swimming lessons are never a waste. I have heard so many horror stories!!