Swimming classes

[Ponyboy]

I'm hoping to get my daughter into "learn to swim"/"baby swimming" classes in July (she will be 6mths old then) and am wondering if any have had experience with these classes and what sort of things you do with your child at them?

Also if anyone knows of any classes that are held in the Goodna (Ipswich)/Brisbane western suburbs in heated pools/indoor pools, can you please share?

[JorBai]

Hi Sharon,

I havent booked Bailey in for swimming lessons but apparently Lawrie Lawrence swim schools are meant to be fantastic and specialise in baby swim classes.

I dont know if there is one around your area but maybe check the net, do a google search and see if you can find any info about whether one operates in your area!

Good Luck!

Leanne

[FourAngelKisses]

I enrolled my kids into an Austswim course when they were 5 and 6yrs old, so a lot older than your child. But I honestly found them a waste of money. They went for 3 terms and came out of it not knowing how to swim. They would teach them freestyle one week, breaststroke the next, backstroke, even butterfly!!!
We ended up buying a family pass and we are going to teach them ourselves.

[pixiesmums]

I put my daughter into swimming when she turned 1. I recommend it. My daughter has been doing it for about 5 months now and she loves going swimming. I would recommend maybe waiting until at least 9 months though. It would be a waste of money as they aren't really learning anything other than getting used to paddling and kicking their feet. I'm glad I waited abit longer because my DD has picked swimming up really quickly and has already advanced up into the next level. In the bubs class you sing nurery rhymes, blow bubbles in the water, learn to kick and paddle. It's pretty basic. My DD goes to Starfish. I'm not sure if they have that where you are but it's worth looking into. I would definately recommend swimming lessons to anyone. My DD loves it so much that she jumps into the pool without hesitation.

[zenifa]

My DD goes to swimming lessons once/week with her dad and she loves it. She is nearly 10 mths and has been going since she was 5 mths old. In the class they sing nursery rhymes and are taught kicking, how to hold onto the edge of the pool and creep/crawl onto the edge safely, plus gradually how to submerge (she can now do this confidently and swim several metres). We don't have a pool at home, but feel its important for her to learn to be confident in the water. The classes are repetitive but that helps them learn. Good luck in finding a class near you!!

[MumsieMel]

My DS started swimming lessons at 1 year and DD started when she was 6 months and they both love it and enjoy it.

But make sure the place you go to is a place that the kids like, ie the teachers etc... :)

[jes]

hi,

my DD started at 6 months and we have never looked back! She is now 10 months and has learned so much in only a few months! She has a lovely teacher who is really caring and always remembers each childs name and what their up too. We go to the cleveland pool for lessons in a heated indoor pool, its $98 for an 8 week block.

I will probably keep taking her untill she is 2 then if she wants to start up again at 6 or 7 we will go to squad or something like that.

I hope that helped

[Leeny]

DD has been swimming since she was 6 or 7 months and now shes 1 and loves it. I'd deffinately recommend it, even if its for the piece of mind that if she ever feel into a pool, she'd know how to get to the edge, not to mention how much funt hey have. I think the eairler the start, the better.

[emilysmumma]

DD starts in July as she will be 7 months by then.

We are going to Westside Swimming at Jindalee. It's heated and indoor and I think it's at the Zest gym there.

It's $139 for 11 weeks, once a week for half an hour.

She was booked in for a certain time but called be back a few days later saying if I wanted to do an earlier time so she is with bubs of a similiar age, so they certaintly sound as if it's a good place to go.

We are really looking forward to it.

[kailensmum]

I started my son when he was 11weeks old. I think it's the best money i spend on him. He absolutely loves it. Try to go to a heated indoor pool, so that you don't have to stop in winter. I believe the earler they start the better.

[Kirstlea]

We started swimming lessons at 12 weeks and she loved it.

It involves lots of singing and splashing but it gets them used to the water. We also did rolling off the mat into the water and things like that so that if they do happen to fall into a pool they wouldn't panic and would try to get to the side.

DD has no fear of the water what so ever and is now in the water on her own without me with just her teacher and one or two other toddlers at the same level.

I recommend starting the earlier the better and don't stop as they can develop a fear of water if they have too big a gap between classes.

Its lots of fun and you get to meet new people and your child gets to make new friends which is another reason why I have stuck it out. Gives dd something to look forward to and gives you a sense of achievement each week as you help them and watch them progress.

Hope you find the right class.

[blueeyes]

I agree with Kirsten. My DS has been going to swimming since he was 12 weeks old and loves it. Although it is so funny to see him shivering when we finish and are getting changed!! (heated pool, non heated changerooms). We are very lucky in our timeslot (8am sat morn- I dont think that anyone wants to be out of the house that early) and we are the only one in the group $12 for 1/2 private tuition - gotta love it!
He is getting to know and love the water, learning to float on his back, closing his mouth under water, trying to grab the edge of pool. It is drummed into them if they fall into the water to roll onto backs and float, so thats what we do each week. DS loves - just last week he floated by himself for a minute and a half, he could of kept going but he was going to hit the wall. He is 4.5 months and I wont stop it. We love swimming and the beach and I want to be able to enjoy these without stressing when they are older.

My local pool is great - you are not locked in to a contract - you attend each week and pay as you go. You just ring in if you cant make it and go at another time. Fantastic. Great idea get your baby in there!:thumbsup: :thumbsup: