When to Start Swimming Lessons

The American Academy of Pediatrics discourages parents from signing kids up for swimming lessons until at least the age of 3. One reason is that parents who start kids earlier can develop a false sense of security that their children can swim, leading to lax supervision. The kids, too, can become over-confident. Another reason is that young children have a higher risk of getting sick from swallowing too much water. They're also more at risk of getting infections if the water is dirty.

If you want to start early, choose a class where your child is not required to put his head under water and one in which you will be assisting him in all the activities. The Red Cross, for example, has baby and toddler classes that help children get used to the water. Then you can sign him up for formal lessons when he's ready—usually between ages 4 and 5. At that point, most kids have the motor skills needed for beginner swimming classes and also have the ability to understand water safety rules.

When you sign up your child for lessons, make sure the instructor is nationally certified under Red Cross or YMCA standards. To learn more about swimming courses for children and CPR/first aid courses for adults, contact your local Red Cross chapter or visit the Web site www.crossnet.org.

More on: Child Safety

Excerpted from:

Excerpted from The Complete Idiot's Guide to Child Safety © 2000 by Miriam Bacher Settle, Ph.D., and Susan Crites Price. All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. Used by arrangement with Alpha Books, a member of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.

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