Your child is younger than 3

What about them?

The short answer

Wait until they are 3 or 4.

The longer answer

There are places that claim to “teach” under-3-year-olds to roll over on their backs. We don’t recommend these places. We have real concerns about them, and when we have reached out to them, they have not replied. It traumatizes some children. (They come to us at age three, and our first task is to erase their negative associations with the pool.) In addition, what they “learn” at two, they don’t retain. (Parents come to us showing us videos of what their children could do at 2, but now, at age 3, they are like any other three-year-old). And it doesn’t help them learn faster. (They are no better at swimming—and often worse—than children who did not do such a program).

What about places (like the YMCA) that have non-traumatizing classes for younger children? Some parents find these classes to be precious and fun. Others think they are anemic and too fluffy. It is up to you. If it would be fun for you (the parent), go for it. If you have a limited amount of time and money for swimming lessons, it is best to expend them at ages 3 to 6, when children are primed to really learn.