Time to Swim

With summer fast approaching, it is time to book swimming lessons for your little one. This can seem like a daunting task, as parents want it to be a happy and productive experience. But once you find the right place, swimming lessons become a highlight of your child’s week!  

When is the best time to start? 

It is never too early to introduce your child or baby to water. 

• From birth to 6 months, the bath is an ideal time to play and experience water. In the heat of summer, a dip in the family pool is really enjoyable for a baby close to 6 months old…even if it is just little toes in the water. 
• Formal lessons can start from about 6 months when your baby has a little more co-ordination and head control. A parent or caregiver will typically swim with their baby in a group class. 
• From about 18 months, or when your toddler is ready, they will join a teacher in the water and parents will climb out. 
• Typically, children who do not do a baby program will start lessons at about 2 years old.
• It is never, ever too late to learn how to swim. Swim schools have a variety of ages and levels…so don’t be shy to call even if your child is a pre-teen. Older children learn very quickly and this life skill is essential for every child’s safety.

Swimming programs:

Swimming lessons come in many shapes and forms. 

• Baby Swimming: The most effective baby programs involve love, care, and repetition. Popular baby programs that are based on this ethos are PBSTA swimming, Todswim, and Aquatots. When you phone a swim school, ask them to explain the method of their teaching. Other programs include swim-float-swim methods and drown proofing. These do not suit all children and unfortunately often lead to trauma and long-term water fears. Ask a thousand questions until you are happy that the program will work for you. 
• Learn to Swim (2 years+): In this level of swimming, your child will learn the skills which will collectively lead to water safety. At the end of a Learn to Swim program, your child will be able to confidently jump into the water and swim a distance, unassisted. Children always need to be supervised in the pool…at this stage, your child will be able to swim without a float or noodle and can happily play in all areas of the pool.
• Stroke Introduction: Once your child can move confidently in the water, strokes are introduced. Lesson time is spent learning the movement, coordination, and timing of the strokes. It is really worth doing a good period of time learning the strokes, as this becomes a lifelong skill that is never forgotten. Some children decide to take swimming as their chosen sport and then squad, team or club training is the ideal place to master their swimming talents.

Selecting a swim school:

Learning to swim is based on trust. When you select a swim school, make sure that you and your child feel comfortable with the owner, venue, and teaching staff.

• The venue needs to be Registered with Swim South Africa and will have a venue number. Venue numbers were introduced during Covid-19. A swim school with a venue number is legal and has followed all the protocols required. 
• The teaching and coaching staff must be qualified. It is fair for you to ask what qualifications your child’s teacher has. In order for a venue to get a permit, their staff qualifications will have been submitted.
• Ask if you can watch a lesson and take your little one with you to see the setup. This will give you a good idea of the ambiance of the organization. 

Sometimes it takes a lesson or two for your child to settle in the pool, either with you or with a teacher. This is perfectly normal. However, it is of utmost importance that your child has a connection with a warm, friendly, and kind teacher. This special bond will foster a love for swimming for a lifetime!   Louise Hildebrand Owner of Glide Swim School