Our little boy is a water baby.
We’ve always known it. As time has gone on, he just loves water more. It’s never difficult to get him in the bath and half the time he’s flopping around on his belly, kicking water all over the place.
Yet, somehow at the age of ALMOST three, we haven’t gotten him into swimming lessons yet.
How do you truly know your kiddo is ready to swim? after a bit of research, I can tell you! How do you truly know your kiddo is ready to swim? Know the signs that your little one is ready to take the plunge..
Ready to jump in?
Maybe my hesitation had more to do with my own fears than his readiness. Each summer the pool floaties evolve, and his love for the water intensifies. I just wasn’t 100% sure he was ready to take that jump (into the pool hah!).
Turns out, bath enthusiasm is a sign our boy might be ready to swim!
Water-ready signs
- Ability to understand and follow short commands, such as “blow buddles” or “kick.”
- Coordination. Swim instructors find that children who are able to sit, stand and walk are more likely to be able to understand basic swimming movements.
- Emotional stability in new situations and around new people. Does your child experience separation anxiety? It may impact your decision on when to start swimming lessons.
It’s normal for children to shed some tears during that first lesson. However, it’s important to know if their fear turns to distress. If that’s the case, it’s totally okay to put a pause on the swimming lessons and revisit it another time.
Start in the bath
If you’ve decided your little one is ready, it’s time to prepare! Give a crash course on some swimming basics during bath time. Practice blowing bubbles with them.
You can also make sure little ones are comfortable with pouring water over their heads. Or you can get out of the house and have a fun day going to a local rec center or neighborhood pool to get your kiddo acclimated ahead of time.
Another prep step is checking your specific swim school’s website for requirements that children be potty trained or wear a swim diaper.
It’s a trip, watching my son grow up and the time flying by. I can’t believe we’re even talking about swim lessons, preschool, potty training, any of it! But it sure is a lot of fun to see him grow into such a kind and incredible slightly less tiny human.
Sophie Hamel is a freelance writer and works in advocacy for victims of interpersonal violence. Her son is almost three years old.
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