Now that summer is (finally!) approaching, it is time to start thinking about water activities. While I absolutely love going to the pool, with little ones it takes on a whole new meaning. My son is now 28 months old, and has been taking swim lessons consistently since he was 6 months old. At the time, I didn’t even think about whether or not this was the “right” thing to do. I just wanted him to never be afraid of water. With a set of grandparents who live on a lake, I wanted to make sure he knew how to swim, and swim well as soon as possible, because quite frankly, the lake scared the crap out of me with him running around. So, after almost three years of swim lessons, I have a toddler who is comfortable, yet cautious around water.
Last summer I discovered that the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) actually didn’t recommend swim lessons for children under three. The thinking was that children (and parents) would get a false sense of security around water if their kids have had lessons, resulting in less supervision, and more accidents.I remember reading this last summer and starting to second guess my decision to have had him in lessons since he was 6 months old. Was I a bad mom for choosing to take him into the water so young? He always had a great time, it was never a battle with him, it was an enjoyable time for us.
AAP New Swim Lesson Recommendations
Well, as with most things in parenting, the recommendations have changed yet again! As of today, I have now done the recommended thing according to the AAP. The AAP now suggests swim lessons for children ages 1-4. Phew, now I am a good parent! Ha Ha! Honestly, on this particular subject, I really don’t care what the recommendations are, my 3 month old daughter will be taking lessons at 6 months as well (the AAP suggests starting at 12 months). 
For me, I enjoy doing the lessons with them, they enjoy it, and I truly feel that the earlier kids are exposed to things, the more comfortable they are with them. But of course no amount of lessons is a replacement for constant parental supervision when playing in and around water.
For more information on the new guidelines, check out the following links:
- Paging Dr. Gupta: Most kids under 4 should learn to swim
- WebMD: New Guidelines on Kids’ Drowning Prevention
What are your thoughts on water safety and children? At what age do you think your child was ready to take swim lessons, or when did you start them?
Kate
May 24, 2010I’m with you, Monica – I really enjoy parent and tot swim lessons with my kids and I think they’re important. My son actually took “pool survival lessons” two summers ago and it was amazing all he could learn to do at only 18 months old.
My husband and I have butted heads about this topic because, while he’s a good swimmer, he never took lessons growing up. He thinks I’m nuts (and wasting money) because I insist the kids take lessons every summer. Honestly, I like it because it’s something to do and at the same time they’re (hopefully) learning some important skills.
Alicia
May 24, 2010I used to hate taking my kids to the pool when they were younger and afraid of the water. It’s much better these days. But this was a great post.
Shandell
May 24, 2010I totally agree. My 10 month old will start lessons next month (at 11 months). It’s a must for us as my parents have an inground pool and my inlaws spend a lot of time on the lake. We wanted to start him sooner but other obligations got in the way.
Changing recommendations based on parents being negligent (ie becoming “too comfortable”) makes no sense to me.
Nikki
May 25, 2010I enrolled Cubby in swim lessons as SOON as I could (which for him was about 9 months. He is now 18 months and we will continue to take him. I didn’t learn to swim until 3 years ago so I KNEW I was going to get him most comfy with the water EARLY. Thanks for sharing
Robin
May 25, 2010Good to know with summer coming up fast.
LeeAnn
May 25, 2010I’m so glad your son enjoyed his lessons! My daughter took lessons last fall when she was 20 months old and screamed her little head off during each one of them. So honestly, I don’t know how much she learned. She is scared of even going in the pool now, so we’re slowly getting her to enjoy it again. I think it may have been better if we had started her earlier (like at 6 months), but who knows? We are debating right now whether to have the teacher come back out this summer for both of the kids…2 1/2 years and 8 months.
We live in Florida where everyone has a pool, so I definitely think that water safety should be done as early as possible. Even if my kids knew how to swim like Michael Phelps, I still wouldn’t take my eyes off of them though!
jennifer hamilton
May 25, 2010Thanks for posting this. I have been debating whether or not to sign my 22mo up, but now I am.
Shannon Kelly
May 25, 2010Signed up my daughter today! Thanks, Shopping Mama!
Monica
May 27, 2010I just wanted to add a sad note. Before I started staying home with my son two years ago I was a high school teacher. Yesterday, I learned that a former student from my last class drowned while swimming in a local quarry with friends. This boy was a 16 year old star football player, who was most likely going to play college ball. Now, many rumors are swirling that he possibly didn’t know how to swim. Supposedly his friends thought he was joking around, and then before they knew it, he disappeared underwater. I am not sure if he really didn’t know how to swim or not, but even so, this is another horrible example on what can possibly happen when kids don’t know how to swim. My heart aches for his family, and I can’t stop thinking of his smile in my classroom.