How did your kids learn?

I am trying to teach my little sister. But my parents didn't teach me. My parents neither one could swim and I love the water they called me a water dog cause once i got in I didn't want to get out. I learned to swim by watching others and by trial and error. So it is good that she is getting proper lessons.

I think it is good or kids to be given swim lessons. You never know when it will come in handy. I didn't have official swim lessons, but I was able to figure it out easily enough. When I was a kid, we bought season passes to the local pool and could go whenever we wished. That helped a lot.

My son took swimming lessons at the YMCA when he was 3 1/2. He took a basic beginner course, so he did not really learn much. He basically learned enough to stay above the water. He rarely has the opportunity to get in the water now. My daughter has not had lessons at all yet.

A bit of both. I took them for lessons when they were still babies and then as toddlers, we taught them ourselves. The lessons gave them a good base which stuck with them and we taught them, it was a lot easier on us as well since they had a background already. I hope she likes it!

Don't have kids, but I can tell you how I learned. Both. I had lessons at the Y and then my Dad took me to the pool when those didn't really take. I think the combination worked well. By taking the lessons first, I had a basic understanding of how my body worked without worrying about pleasing my parents. Then when Dad and I got in the water, I was more able to do the things he was suggesting. I think whatever you decide will work for your child. Swimming is a critical skill. And once learned, you never forget. Taking lessons is a great way for people to learn the basics with other people in their same situations. More personal instruction later on works better.

Our children seemed to have learnt naturally. We dammed a river on the farm and made a huge pool. We used to go there most evenings as it was just so hot and it was a good place for us to relax and get cool. The boys just seemed to take off swimming when they were about 2m to 3 years old.]] How they learn is not important - what is important is that they learn to swim.