My girls are almost 6 and almost 4. They can not swim. The 4 yr old I'm not so worried about. The 6 yr old, I don't know if I need to worry. We've been doing swim lessons off and on since she was young. We started again in February and have been consistent since then- at least once a week. She TERRIFIED to put her face in the water or to even try on her own. If someone is holding on to her she will briefly try to swim or to put her face in the water. I don't want them to be Olympic swimmers or anything- just able to function in the water. Outside of swim lessons, we don't do a lot of swimming- maybe 2-3 times a month during the hot weather. Should I just keep up the lessons and she'll get it when she does or should I start to be more concerned and push the issue more? Do you think I should keep up lessons during the fall/winter in hopes of next summer she will be fairly independent in the water? When do most kids learn to swim on their own?
From my experience it seems that some children need to be stronger, older to be able to swim with any skill. If she has swimming lessons for a week or two during summer and you take your oldest swimming twice a month, she should be able to get it eventually. I wouldn't force the swimming issue yet unless you know that she will be around water this summer as in a summer camp where there is a lake that all the kids will be playing.
I don't know what's "normal" but my 6 year old can't swim without a ring. Won't put his face underwater and refuses to let us (me and hubby) help him swim, he HAS to have his ring. He won't jump in off the side. He gets around good in the pool by himself in his ring so we just let him. My 3 year old gets around better though, will put his face in the water, will jump off the side ect. So I don't know what normal, but I was terrified of the water as a child, still am to an extent. I hate getting in a pool that is deeper than 5 foot, I get nervous when we go swimming int he river and I hate going to a lake. I can swim, but I'm not a strong swimmer, so I'm still scared a little tiny bit, so I understand and don't push my kids at all.
Rachael was a year old when she first had lessons. And it was great, because the older kids (3, 4) were scared, and she was just jumping right in! I am a FIRM believer in getting kids in the water ASAP. Phillip doesn't swim as well as I would like, because we don't have access to a pool anymore, but when we did he could jump off the dive and get to the side safely. I'm quite comfortable with him in the deep end.
All of mine except one were swimming by 4. Dd9 was TERRIFIED of water when she was a toddler, and when she was a preschooler, our family witnessed a drowning in a state park. She was 7 before I was able to get her into lessons without being hysterical. Now all three of my girls are on our HOA swim team (6, 9, and 11). Ds14 is a good swimmer but not interested in swim team. I'm not actually big on swim lessons for the very young, as most of what is done in the classes can be done while playing in the pool with your child.
my girls took lesson at age 1. When my youngest was 1 and half we couldn't get her in the water to swim for nothing. The life guard said throw her in we are here, she will either like it or hate it. Well at first I was scared about that I thought no she is my baby I can't they took her from me threw her in and the girl has swam ever since. Also, the next class she was jumping off 12 foot diving boards at 1 and half years old. have a picture. But you have to remember ever child is different. They will swim when they want.
Ok, when I moved into this town I was 10 and I took swim lessons similar: once a week for 10 weeks. I was very terrified of putting my head under and swimming by myself. This was mainly due to other children harassing and teasing throwing each other under water and so on. Are you with them when they go to swim lessons? I think it's perfectly normal. Not every child is going to do things early or not be afraid of certain things. Just give it time. I'm a great swimmer now, so don't worry, and don't push the issue.
Meg- We are there during the lessons and there is no horse play going on! They have always been nervous around water and it took them a long time to enjoy their baths. We've finally gotten them ok with getting their hair washed and it not be a huge melt-down. I'll just keep being patient and they will get it eventually!
I think every child goes at their own pace. My oldest didn't swim until she was 8 and then she just took off. She and two of her siblings were also terrified to put their faces in water and no matter what I did, they just wouldn't. Goggles and a very patient swim instructor made a huge difference, but my 5 year old still struggles with fear of water. My youngest is trying to swim on her already and she is 2, I really think it just depends on the child.
