Swimming is an essential life-saving skill that all parents should teach their children. Based on a study by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, participating in formal swimming lessons can reduce the risk of drowning in young children by 88%. If anything, this shows us that learning how to swim is of utmost importance for kids – it’s as equally vital as talking, walking, and running.

However, as a parent, you may be wondering: How many private swimming lessons for children are necessary in order for a child to learn how to swim? The answer to this question actually depends on several factors, such as your child’s age, physical ability, level of effort and motivation, and the coach’s expertise. Generally, it’s easier to teach older kids since they’re better at retaining swimming abilities than younger ones. This is because, as children grow older, their muscle coordination and ability to retain swimming skills improve as well.

That said, the exact number of lessons is also subjective as there are multiple factors affecting the number of classes needed. In this article, we determine how much time your child needs to invest in learning how to swim based on their age brackets as well as the factors that may affect the total number of swimming lessons needed overall.

Swimming lessons for infants

Swimming lessons for infants under a year old can take 5 to 10 sessions. Due to their young age, infants still need to develop a sense of comfort and familiarity with the water. To help your baby become accustomed to water, try pouring water over their head while showering. This will expose them to the feeling of water flowing on top of their head in a controlled and safe way.

Babies may also be exposed to quick underwater swims to help them learn how to hold their breath and avoid swallowing water. Swimming lessons for infants are generally focused on helping babies improve their coordination, balance, and strength. To help your baby become more ‘water ready’, you should consider participating in parent-child water play sessions.

Swimming lessons for toddlers

Usually, toddlers who are 2 to 3 years old require around 20 to 30 swimming lessons to learn basic safety habits and swimming skills. Toddlers, in general, already have the ability to hold their breath and swim with their faces in the water for a couple of feet. Swimming classes for toddlers in Singapore often focus on teaching kids certain skills, such as using leg propulsions to swim back to the side of the pool from several entries.

Swimming lessons for young children

For young children aged 4 to 8 years, it takes around 12 to 20 swimming lessons to learn and perform basic safety habits, swimming skills, and strokes. When a child reaches 4 years old, they should already have the necessary motor and cognitive skills to learn appropriate swimming skills, such as floating, treading on water, and swimming towards a particular end.

At age 4, your child can also start swimming with their face down and using pop-up breathing methods on tiny, 1-metre-deep swimming pools. Between 4 and 8 years old is the best age to teach your kid various swimming strokes, such as breaststroke and freestyle, which they can utilise to swim 150 to 300 metres.

Swimming lessons for older children

When it comes to older children, 8 to 20 swimming lessons are already enough for those aged 9 to 12 years to learn how to swim proficiently. Older children can already comprehend and follow instructions completely to become competent swimmers. They can also now learn advanced swimming methods to swim underwater for longer distances, dive, and perform flip-turns.

As older children have more physical strength and better retention, they can also do the full four primary strokes already, namely breaststroke, freestyle, backstroke, and butterfly. They can use these strokes when swimming longer distances beyond 300 metres.

Factors that can affect the total number of lessons

In truth, every child is different. The exact number of lessons your child may need can also depend on these variables;

• -Type of class

The focused attention from the swimming instructor can often lead to faster progress for children in private swimming lessons. The individualised classes can be tailored to the child’s specific abilities and needs, allowing for a more efficient learning experience. In this case, the number of private lessons required may be relatively fewer compared to group lessons.

On the other hand, group swimming lessons may require a higher number of lessons due to the need for the instructor to divide time and attention among multiple students. However, the presence of peers can also be beneficial – the encouragement and motivation from peers can positively impact a child’s progress.

• -Your child’s ability

Some children may have a natural affinity for the water and pick up swimming skills quickly, while others may require more time and practice. Additionally, a child’s effort and motivation play a significant role in their swimming journey. Regular practice outside of lessons as well as a positive attitude can greatly contribute to the speed at which a child learns to swim.

• -Prior swimming experience

Children with prior experience in swimming or water activities may require fewer lessons to learn how to swim. For instance, if your child has participated in water play like splashing around in a pool, they may already be somewhat comfortable in the water. This exposure can help them easily become familiar with the water environment and reduce any hesitation or fear.

Additionally, if your child has taken any introductory or basic swimming lessons before, the chances are that they may have already learned some fundamental skills that can be built upon in subsequent lessons. This prior experience can help provide a foundation that allows them to progress more quickly, potentially requiring fewer lessons to learn how to swim.

• -Level of comfort in the water

Some children naturally feel at ease in the water and can quickly adapt to the new environment, while others may experience discomfort, anxiety, or fear. Anxious children may require additional time and support to overcome their apprehensions. But as their confidence grows, they can become more receptive to learning swimming techniques, resulting in a reduction in the number of lessons needed. Whatever the case may be, it is important for parents and swimming instructors to be understanding, patient, and supportive during this process. Allowing the child to progress at their own pace while ensuring their emotional well-being should be the utmost priority.

Conclusion

Your child’s age is among the most important factors to consider in determining how many swimming lessons they need to be able to learn how to swim competently. But while there are recommended numbers of swimming lessons based on age brackets as a guide to help you, it’s important to remember that the total number of lessons required is subjective and influenced by various factors. Therefore, the number of swimming lessons your child should take will have to depend on their specific needs.

If you’re in search of the most effective, reliable, and convenient private swimming lessons for children in Singapore, SG Condo Swimming Lessons is all you need! We provide comprehensive swimming lessons for learners of all ages, from toddlers to adults, in the comfort of your condominium swimming pool. Sign up for our swimming lessons today, so we can immediately start your child’s journey towards becoming a proficient swimmer!