Month: May 2021

It’s completely normal for young kids to be nervous about learning to swim. Even during the earliest stages when the lessons include both the parent and the child, choosing the right toddler swim lessons near you is crucial in order to help your toddler feel comfortable in water. 

Luckily, there are quite a few steps you can take to help your child get used to swimming in a safe and fun environment. Read on to learn the top 4 things you can do to prepare your child for their swimming lessons. 

How do I prepare my toddler for swimming lessons?

It goes without saying that you should first make sure your child is old enough to start swimming. In most cases, babies can take their first swimming lessons as early as 10 months old. 

Here are 4 time-tested tips to prepare your toddler for swim lessons:

1. Describe the lessons to them beforehand

Give them a good idea of what to expect and show them videos of kids having fun in a pool. This will help them get accustomed to the idea of going into water and possibly even make them eager to do so. 

2. Visit the pool

Bring your toddler to the swimming pool where the lessons will take place. Let them see other kids taking swim lessons. Your child will naturally pick up on the friendly manner of the instructors and want to be a part of the fun activity.

3. Meet the instructor

Introduce your toddler to the instructor prior to the lessons. Experienced instructors know exactly how to make kids feel comfortable and leave a positive first impression on them. This will ensure that your toddler is greeted by a friendly, familiar face when they show up for their first lesson.

4. Don’t forget the bathtub

If your kid is a toddler, you can replicate the swimming pool experience for them at home by filling up the bathtub and letting them practice submerging their head, blowing bubbles, and generally moving around underwater. Don’t forget to have them wear their swimsuit or swim trunks while they’re in the tub. 

How long should swim lessons last?

Generally, the younger a child is, the shorter their swim lessons tend to be. That’s because the purpose of these early lessons is to get a child used to water in a safe and positive environment. It’s only after they’ve developed a little that they can start truly learning how to keep themselves safe and move around in water on their own.

Consider the following:

• Swim lessons for infants tend to last about half an hour and consist of fun activities that teach them simple techniques like floating, splashing, and kicking.
• Classes for kids aged 30-45 usually last 30-45 minutes and teach children various swimming techniques.

Lessons for 6-9 year olds tend to be up to an hour long. They include complex techniques and advanced water safety skills. 

Where can I find dependable toddler swim lessons near me in San Diego?

Swimming is a lifelong skill that not only keeps a person safe in water, but also helps them stay healthy, gives them additional opportunities to socialize, and may even cause them to develop an interest in water-based sports such as surfing, water polo, water aerobics, and more. 

Here at The Plunge, we’d like to make sure your child learns to swim in a fun and controlled environment by providing them with high-quality swim lessons in San Diego. Located in Mission Beach, we’re a historical pool that offers visitors the full range of public pool services, including swim lessons, daycare, fitness programs, party rentals and more. Call us today!

Getting your child accustomed to water from an early age is one of the smartest things you can do as a parent. On top of being very healthy for your kid, swimming is also extremely fun and runs less risk of injury than land-based exercise. Early swim lessons may even cause your child to develop an interest in water-based sports as they get older. 

In the following article, we’ll answer a few common questions parents have about toddler swim lessons in San Diego, and give you some idea of what to expect if you decide to teach your young child to swim. Keep reading to learn more.

Is it safe to teach a baby to swim?

It depends on how old the baby is and how you go about teaching them to swim. As long as your child isn’t too young, learning to swim is not only safe, it’s also highly beneficial for your baby’s health and development.

Here are a few benefits of taking babies swimming:

• Swimming is a gentle exercise that works the entire body and encourages your child’s heart, lung, and muscle development.
• Children who begin swimming early in life tend to have better balance, as well as superior grasping and catching skills.
• Swimming also encourages mental development in small children. This often translates into stronger language, counting, and math skills in school.
• Baby swimming lessons establish healthy habits early on in life, especially if other family members are involved.

What is the best age to start swimming lessons?

Young children can take their first swimming lessons as early as 10 months old. However, this needs to be done in a safe and planned manner, preferably by trained swimming teachers who have extensive experience working with toddlers.

Ideally, your toddler should learn to swim in a group swimming lesson that emphasizes play and positivity, all while teaching essential water safety skills as they go along. It goes without saying that these swimming lessons should take place in a shallow pool and under strict supervision of an adult guardian.

How long does it take for a two year old to learn to swim?

This can vary greatly depending on the child’s age, how long and frequent the swim lessons are, whether the kid has to overcome a fear of water, and how naturally talented and eager to learn they are.

Here’s what to expect:

• Babies who start their swim lessons when they’re 10-18 months old usually take between 1.5 to 2 years to learn to swim independently. 
• Children who begin their swimming lessons when they’re between 18 months and 3 years old usually take about a year to learn how to be safe in water.
• Kids who are 3 years old typically take around 6 months to a year to learn to swim. 

Who provides fun and reliable toddler swim lessons in San Diego?

The safest and most effective way to get a small child used to water and teach them to swim is to enlist them at a reputable swimming school. Here at The Plunge, San Diego, we offer high-quality swimming lessons for children who are 10 months old or older.

Our Swim Monkey swim lesson program contains multiple levels, including:

• Plunge Babies parent-and-child lessons for kids aged 10-36 months old
• Level 1 Bush Babies that promote comfort in water for 3-5 year olds
• Level 2 Tamarins that teaches swimming to children 5-7 years old, and more.

In addition to swim lessons, we also offer public pool services, water aerobics classes, poolside daycare camps, fitness events, private party rentals, and more. Give us a call today, or come visit us in person and spend a memorable afternoon at Mission Beach’s finest public pool.