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The important thing is to watch them like hawks whether or not they know how to swim. Knowing how to swim in no way means you can't drown.
I am perfectly aware that knowing how to swim does not mean that you can't drown. We watch our children like hawks regardless of the situation but them knowing how to swim gives us a slight inkling of reassurance. Like a previous poster stated, knowing how to swim reduces your chances of drowning by almost 90%.
The important thing is to watch them like hawks whether or not they know how to swim. Knowing how to swim in no way means you can't drown.
And all it takes is is your attention to be distracted by another child or somehing happening to yoyrself for the 'I watch them like a hawk so its not that important they know how to swim' to turn into tragedy. Wouldn't you like HUGE percentage increase in the odds that it won't?
I am really surprised that so many parents don't view this as something importanthat and non-negotiable.
Learning to swim is non-negotiable in our house since we spend a lot of time around water.
My parents didn't force me to swim when I was young, so I didn't learn until I was an adult. I definitely regret it, and I want my children to be good swimmers.
I am really surprised that so many parents don't view this as something important and non-negotiable.
I do think that it is extremely important that children learn to swim, but I do not think it must happen at age four, and waiting a year or two might make the process easier for all involved.
I do think that it is extremely important that children learn to swim, but I do not think it must happen at age four, and waiting a year or two might make the process easier for all involved.
And I think you are very wrong. Most 3 and 4 year olds do very well in lessons.....many kuds drown before age 6. ....if you think it's safe to wait. ..you aren't taking it seriously.
My 4 year old girl doesn't want to do swimming lessons.
Should we make her?
Will she ever want to?
What age should we make her do lessons even if she doesn't want to?
I think all people should know how to swim as part of basic survival. Not learning to safely handle herself in water is not an option. "I don't want to" is not a good excuse....but I understand that forcing kids to do things can be counterproductive, too.
Do you have a pool? Is she near pools a lot during the summer? If so, I think she should. There are things that are nonnegotiable when you are a parent. I think if she is near water a lot, then swimming lessons is one of them.
If she is not around water, then give her another year.
I do think that it is extremely important that children learn to swim, but I do not think it must happen at age four, and waiting a year or two might make the process easier for all involved.
Who do you think drowns more often - a five year old or an eight year old?
Look, I'm not interested in starting an internet war about swimming lessons, only sharing my experience and thoughts about the matter, which is the point of the parenting forums, no? Or is the only acceptable response to echo the majority sentiment? In any case, the idea that I don't take water safety seriously is ludicrous, simply ludicrous, so back that truck up, please.
The OP's lifestyle is really at issue here. Is his child often around water? if yes, then the appropriate choice might be to force the lessons. However, it might also be perfectly okay to wait another year or two given absolutely scrupulous supervision or even complete avoidance of water activities. I'll leave it up to the OP to determine the best course of action.
A year or two of maturity can make a huge difference in how quickly and effectively a child learns. Preschoolers are all over the map in terms of their physical abilities and their emotional readiness for structured lessons. In our case, we waited. Our kids learned to swim between the ages of six and nine, and all became competitive swimmers. The one who learned latest is now a state qualifiying breaststroker.
Last edited by randomparent; 01-14-2015 at 07:41 AM..
Could not agree more with randomparent. It also depends on the extent this parent wants the child to swim. To take swim lessons does not necessarily mean the child has to become a competitive swimmer it is the knowledge and water safety skills that the child needs to have.
My 4 year old girl doesn't want to do swimming lessons.
Should we make her?
Will she ever want to?
What age should we make her do lessons even if she doesn't want to?
I think all people should know how to swim as part of basic survival. Not learning to safely handle herself in water is not an option. "I don't want to" is not a good excuse....but I understand that forcing kids to do things can be counterproductive, too.
She's four. You're the parent. Make her take the lessons. Every human should know how to swim.
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