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.