When to Start Swim Lessons
By Emily Tittle
Have you wondered when you, or your child, should start swim lessons? The answer is easy: right now!
The YMCA offers swim lessons for all ages, starting at just 6 months old. As a former YMCA swim lesson instructor and swim team coach, I can tell you that the earlier you start, the better.
The earlier children experience being in the water and taking swim lessons, the more comfortable they will be. And- the more comfortable you, as a parent, will be. Drowning is the leading cause of death for children, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While children are at highest risk, anyone can drown- resulting in approximately 11 deaths per day each year in the US.
But some drownings can be preventable. According to the CDC, participation in formal swim lessons can reduce the risk of drowning among children and young adults. (As well as strong supervision, fences around outdoor pools, wearing life jackets, and other factors.)
The YMCA makes it easy, and affordable, to get you or your child enrolled in lessons today. The youngest learners will participate in lessons with a parent. The instructors will direct parents on how to help their babies and toddlers become comfortable in the water, and learn beginner skills that will help them become better swimmers in the future.
Once kids reach reach preschool age, they’ll be in the water with just an instructor. The YMCA offers low ratios of kids to instructors, to provide high quality water education. What I love about the YMCA is that the lessons provide pool safety and life-saving skills, in addition to learning how to swim and improve their strokes.
The YMCA offers lessons for adults as well. There is a variety of levels- from beginner to those working on bettering their form for triathlons or working out.
My children have participated in swim lessons both at the YMCA and elsewhere. In my opinion, the instructors at the YMCA were more caring and kind. They seemed truly passionate about what they were doing, and weren’t treating it as just a job or a way to earn some money.
If you’re not sure about group lessons, you can also sign up for private or semi-private lessons. This can be a 1:1 or 1:2 ration, if you bring a buddy. This is a great option for kids or adults who may be uncomfortable or cannot handle being in a group.
Ready to sign up for swim lessons? Check out your options on our swim lessons page.
