Mommy and Me
Mommy and Me classes are a great way to introduce the tiniest of swimmers to the water. Most often for infants, toddlers and children with special needs, these classes can help ease the fear of the water and let tykes experiment with getting their faces wet by blowing bubbles and just playing around. The main goal of Mommy and Me is to have the child feel comfortable in the water, so unless your little one is naturally comfortable, you are likely to face some squirming, crying, kicking and screaming. Work with the class instructor and try only playing in the water for 15 minutes at a time until you start to see a smile. When that smile brings enough comfort to learn how to float, then it’s time to graduate from Mommy and Me.

If your child has special needs, be sure you inquire about the training the instructor has. In my time as a lifeguard and swim instructor, I have seen many not-so-qualified instructors, with the best of intentions, fail to help parents and children due to their lack of qualifications. Learning to swim is no different than learning a subject in school, so make sure the instructor is the teacher you are looking for.

Group lessons
No matter what your child’s age, if they feel comfortable in the water and don’t mind getting their face wet, then they are ready for a group setting. Group lessons will help kids who are ready to incorporate different types of kicking and arm movement to their floating and eventually experiment with swimming underwater and diving into the pool. If you are signing up for a group lesson for toddlers, even a class of 5 kids should have more than one instructor. Instructors are human too, and without risking danger, they usually can only handle 3 non-floaters at a time.

If just dipping their little toes in instills the fear of God, then your kid is not ready for a group setting yet. In addition to slowing down the class, a child who isn’t ready for group instruction can become discouraged from the success of the other children, which can stifle their progress and may make them feel like giving up.

Taking group lessons can lead to your child becoming extremely comfortable in the water, under the water and jumping into it, too, but it is unlikely to lead to becoming a “swimmer.” If you are hoping for a little Michael Phelps or an extreme level of comfort in the ocean, I would suggest private lessons or joining a swim team.

Private Lessons

Save your money! Only two types of kids need private lessons. The first, ones that cry at the site of any body of water. The second, ones who really take to swimming and want to reach the next level.

When you are little and you’re scared of the water, you have a lot more to fear than fear itself. No amount of group instruction will nix this fear. The child needs to trust the instructor, enough to let their guard down and kick around a bit. Once your ex scaredy-cat can frolic around in the chlorine without clinging to the instructor every few inches (and lay back without sinking), tell the instructor thank you, that you will refer them to your friends, and get thee to group instruction. Don’t spend the extra cash by continuing private lessons. Once your child feels comfortable, let them experiment and learn from other kids, too (while easing the strain on your wallet at the same time).

If you’ve got a natural on your hands, consider private lessons in addition to, or as a substitute for group lessons. One-on-one instruction will allow your child to learn the strokes and get them down pat, develop good form and correct breathing skills. I would look into the cost of private instruction and compare it to the cost of joining a swim team.

Swim Team Instruction

Swim team can be a great sport for some kids who might not opt for other team sports. Even kids with asthma or kids who have trouble with other sports can often excel at swimming. (Of course, talk with your pediatrician first before starting any rigorous exercise regimen).

Kids can join swim teams as early as age 5 and as late as high school (though they might be a bit behind). And if swimming is really in the cards, who knows, a swimming scholarships will definitely come in handy when college rolls around.

Read our post of swimming lessons in New York City here.