Swim Lessons

When To Start Swim Lessons

Learning to swim is an important part of setting your child up for a lifetime of security when in and around water. Swimming is an essential life skill that should be taught early, but when is the right time?

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children start learning to swim around the age of 1 year.

“Drowning is the single leading cause of injury death for children ages 1 to 4, and it’s one of the top causes of death for teens. In the summer, children often have more access to pools, lakes, and other sources of water-all of which pose a drowning risk,” according to pediatrician Sarah Denny, MD, FAAP, and lead author of AAP guidance on “Prevention of Drowning.”

Many experts agree that while swimming survival classes are an important step in teaching water safety, AAP recommends swimming lessons for children starting at the age of 1 year. Specialized parent-child classes are typically designed for children ages 1-4 years.

“There is currently no evidence that infant swim programs for babies under 1 year old lower their drowning risk,” according to AAP

Each child grows and matures at different rates. Keep in mind your child’s maturity and physical growth as you make the decision about when to start swim lessons.

By the age of 4 years, most children are able to start more traditional swimming lessons.

How Much Are Swim Lessons?

The cost of swim lessons varies greatly on the length of time, age of the child, and experience of the instructor. Pricing also depends on whether you want private lessons or are comfortable with group instruction.

How Much Do Private Swim Lessons Cost?

Private swim lessons typically cost from $40 to $80 per hour for children or adults. This has the most variability as individual coaches have varying degrees of experience.

Lessons are commonly offered in 30 min or 1-hour bookings.

How Much Do Group Swim Lessons Cost?

The average cost of group swim lessons ranges from $100 to $160 per month.

Lessons are commonly offered in 30 min or 1-hour bookings.

If your family can’t afford swim lessons, check with your local USA Swimming Swim Club or your city/county government. Many groups and counties have scholarship programs that help cover the cost of swim lessons held at public pools and local schools.

Where To Find Swimming Lessons Near Me

There are 2 main ways to find swim lessons in your area.

1. Search for a local USA Swimming swim club. These are clubs that instruct all levels of competitive swimmers. Many of these clubs offer Learn To Swim Programs throughout the year. These programs are community outreach programs that help promote swimming as a sport in the local communities. View our list (coming soon) or visit the…