I think exposure to the water at a young age is key-lessons are not. Being comfortable is essential. I agree that lessons are better after some degree of "swimming" is accomplished. I will say that I enrolled my dd (then 6) in one of the huge national learn-to-swim programs after she could swim and was VERY unimpressed. The goal seemed to be to keep the kids in the program for months ($$$). (They "forgot" to give her the abilities test until the last day, so she learned NOTHING in six weeks. It was recommended that she re-enroll.) I think that private lessons or very small groups are best for learning true swimming. My kids learned real competitive swimming strokes/technique on a local summer league. From there, two went on to be year round competivite swimmers.
My two younger kids are year-round competitive swimmers. If you want your kids to become truly competent in the four strokes, your best bet is place them on either a summer recreational swim team (usually affiliated with your town/city and practices at your community pool), or find your local USA Swimming year-round swim club. The major differences are that summer rec teams don't train kids nearly as rigorously as year-round teams train their swimmers. Summer rec teams are generally much cheaper and there is less travel involved. If you don't want to compete, just ask the team leadership. Some teams (both rec and competitive) don't care if you go to swim meets. The great thing is that swimming is low-impact, high-benefit exercise that offers superb conditioning. Even a rec team is a HUGE step up from lessons. Your 5YO could join most teams, but not your 2YO. Most teams have a peewee or 'pre-team' group for little ones ages 4 or 5 to 6ish. If you're interested in a team environment, let me know, and I'm happy to help.
That depends on where you live. In TX, our summer league team meets ran just like club swim (USA Swimming). Here in MS, there are no DQ's, no officials, and not much stroke correction. But then, club swimming is really lacking in quality here, too!! That is the truth!!
I learned pretty much on my own, just like riding a bike. With both swimming and biking, there was someone coaching me (parent, grandparent), but they didn't "do" anything with me. I learned on my own. My grandmother has a house on the lake, so we learned to dog-paddle in the shallow areas, and until we really gained confidence, would use life jackets in the deep areas. We didn't have floaties, ever. We learned strong kicking skills by holding onto the dock and kicking like crazy to strengthen our legs. We'd learn panic control by daring each other to see who could hold their breath the longest (both in and out of water). I learned to float by swimming on my back. I'm still not "a swimmer". I can keep myself afloat, and I'm not afraid of water, but I don't know any fancy strokes. My husband was on a swim team as a child, so he knows all of those strokes. No matter... we both swim about the same, except that he's quite a bit faster than me in laps. He's also a great deal taller and stronger than me, so that could have something to do with it. Our kids have been in the pool since they were babies. They still can't swim on their own, but they can't bike on their own, either. They'll learn when they're ready. As long as they're taught how NOT to drown, they'll be fine. (Relax, fall to the bottom, kick up hard, and scream for help when you reach the surface... repeating as necessary.)
we took lessons or rather the kids did, but after I gave them the basics myself. I nearly drowned in swim lessons because instructor was not watching me and my mom jumped in with all hre clothes on to save me when I was little so be careful to stay and watch swim lessons. These can be good for technique and for meeting home schoolers! We found some great friends from going to swim lessons! ds14 taught himself to swim at around 2 by watching his sister, it freaked me out! lol
@sixcloar That's interesting! My kids started on a neighborhood rec team. They did a fall clinic on our local USA Swimming team, and we stayed. There is a wide range in the quality of USA Swimming clubs, and I imagine that there's a wide range in the quality of rec teams. Our (in California) rec teams don't swim long course. My kids don't like long course because it's harder (fewer turns = less relief). You're right. I have noticed that team quality differs from state to state. We love swimming. We just got home this afternoon from a three-day event. Year-round can be a big commitment, though.
My dad was in a car accident, he watched his dad and brother drown and he nearly drowned too, so he was afraid to be in water that was above his armpits when his feet were touching the ground. He never passed his fear onto us and was hands on in helping us become strong swimmers (I won lots of blue ribbons at school ). My girls can't swim yet due to lack of opportunity but we'll get there. ETA: My mum learned the sink or swim way and I've never seen her in water above her ankles and we spent a lot of our childhood at the beach/river/pool.
My dd never wanted to wear floaties, but my ds wore them until he was about 10. When he was younger he also wore a donut float with the floaties. They both taught themselves to swim around in the water. My dd had another homeschool mom help her learn to swim under water when she was about 9 or 10. My son just wasn't interested in learning at the time. They've never had the opportunity to go swimming more than 4-5 times per summer. My point, children can teach themselves. A lot of it has to do with how much kids are in the water and their desire level.
Our rec teams don't swim long course either. My 13yo does as a club swimmer, but my 8 year old goes to the rec team in the summer. Quality of club swimming has been really surprising to me. We were very spoiled in TX! I've been a little surprised that USA Swimming and ASCA does not monitor the quality of coaching of those they certify. (Most of our coaches are super nice people, but not very knowledgeable about coaching the sport.) Our small MS club is plagued with injuries. (My dd has become one of them.) Glad to have another swim mom on the board! Other people don't get us and our kids' dedication to the sport. Three day prelims/finals meet this weekend, but with the shoulder pain, we're just hoping for holding close to best times.
We went to pools and my they just figured it out. The more time they have to explore, the better. But, I find that's true with most things.
