Continue or take a break?

[CluckySC]

DS (who will be three in a few weeks) started swimming lessons Oct/Nov and has been doing private lessons since as he was originally scared of the pool, then of the 'deep end' (ie anything off the step ) and since then progress has been slow. We've had issues with the teacher pushing him too much at times and making him cry but they've been resolved and now he gets on well with the teacher for the most part. We're paying $30 for a half hour.

There are still 4 more lessons left this term, but at this point it looks unlikely that he'll be ready for a group class by next term (this swim school is indoor so runs over winter) as he still wont do a number of things they need to be willing to do/try in group work, ignores the teacher/refuses to do things often, wont put his head under, is scared of jumping in and isn't interested in kicking or paddling (not even a tiny bit interested. Will do it as a token gesture to make teacher happy but think a dozen kicks per lesson and that's it).

He loves playing in the water but swimming? He's not interested.

He has made progress since he started, but it's been very slow, mainly because he really isn't interested in trying/doing these things.

If we keep him going over winter he'll likely need to continue private lessons, which work out to be about $390 per term - a lot for us. We're happy to pay it if he's getting something out of it but due to his lack of interest we're wondering if we're better off to give him a break over winter and start him up again next spring. Don't want him to go backwards but the teacher has admitted he's frustrated that he's "not getting the progress he usually does" and I'm thinking it may be better for all of us to wait until he's older.

What would you do?? Thank you in advance for opinions!!

[Cheeky Little Monkey]

Change teachers. Frustrated....grrrr....it is their job to teach, that is what they are being paid for.
In saying that, your child is still young. If you can afford it, and want to, continue with the private lessons as he will be getting one on one attention and focus. I would still change teachers though as no child should continually cry and be upset in any circumstance. Learning to swim is about gaining confidence and a life skill, but it should also be enjoyable for your child.
Have you considered going yourself with him and help him gain the water confidence and start him again in warmer weather?

[Cheeky Little Monkey]

PS. $30 for a half hour private lesson is CHEAP !

[share a book]

PS. $30 for a half hour private lesson is CHEAP !

Yep I pay $47 lol

[KatiesMum]

to be honest - I would give it a rest.

My DD was exactly the same. took such a long time to get to the point where she would put her face anywhere near the water ... longer still to put her face in the water.

This time last year (at 3 + 1/2) , we gave it a rest. She just didnt want to do any of it.

We started again at the beginning of summer - and she was in the lowest class, and still would not put her face near the water. Certainly wouldnt jump in - even to me if I caught her.

We had a long talk (she is good with communication, so would talk) and I promised a present when she put her head under .... but otherwise just encouraged her to try things. I wouldnt be cross if she didnt want to do things, but I would be if she wouldnt get in the water.

It seemed to work ... one day she just decided that she would put her face in .... then a couple of weeks later, put her whole head under. And has come ahead in leaps and bounds ever since.

From that point (so October to now) she has gone up 3 swimming classes, and can now jump in and swim accross the pool to me. She will jump in and touch the bottom then return to the edge, will dive, will actually have a go at things.

The key is simply time in the pool. Its not lessons - just going to the pool more often. Going and playing .. getting confident with the water ... not being pushed but just being happy. Also it helps being with friends who can do more ... so perhaps arrange a play date or two at the pool.

We also did vacation swimming lessons which I found helped A LOT. Going every day (we only did a week) was a huge help.

In any case - at 3 I wouldnt push it.

[Faithy]

I think give the classes/tutoring a break but spend the time and less money making sure you go along to the pool over winter and just play.

I think it's much better for bubs to enjoy the pool and have fun with mummy than get in trouble, feel uncomfortable and end up crying (what a horrid teacher).

Increased fun will mean increased confidence and he'll be ready to get back in to the formal side of things come summer.

[Dannielle]

Two of my girls were terrified of the water and swimming lessons. They did group lessons from 3yrs old. Both DD1 and DD2 used to SCREAM the place down and couldn't do any of those things they say your DS needs to be able to do. The only thing they did do which they needed to do was to sit/stand still on the seat waiting for their turn. They were still and holding the wall but they weren't happy about it.

We did persist BUT with DD1 we changed swim schools and tried a couple of different teachers during the school holidays. We realised that DD1 responded better to one of the teachers. Sometimes they will respond better with one person than they will with another. She got there eventually.

With DD2 it took quite a long time. She was even more terrified than DD1 and we didn't think that was possible. Eventually she stopped screaming and was ok during the lessons but jumping was a problem for years. The teachers just worked with her and encouraged her the best they could. For some reason she thought she was going to die if she jumped in and would scream that she didn't want to die over and over. They just accomodated her and along with us decided the best approach. While others jumped in without a worry she needed to be practically lifted in the water in a slow motion type jump without putting her head under the water. She's almost 7.5yrs old and only stopped stressing about jumping in about 9mths ago.