The Complete Guide to Infant Swim Lessons: What Parents Need to Know
As a mother, you want to do everything possible to keep your little one safe. When it comes to water safety, infant swimming lessons are one of the most important investments you can make in your child's future. The statistics are sobering: drowning remains the second leading cause of unintentional death in children ages 1 to 4 years, and the third leading cause for babies under one year old, according to Stanford Medicine. Every year, approximately 3,600 children experience near-drowning incidents.
But here's the empowering truth: you can take proactive steps to protect your child. At Squiddles Swim School, we understand these concerns deeply and personally. Our mission was born from love and a passionate dedication to preventing other families from experiencing the unimaginable pain of losing a child to drowning. We've developed comprehensive programs that start as early as 6 months of age, focusing on crucial survival skills before moving on to swimming techniques.
In this guide, we'll walk you through everything you need to know about infant swimming lessons: what to expect, how to prepare, and why early water safety education is so crucial for your child's development. Whether you're searching for "infant swimming classes near me" or trying to understand when to start your baby's water journey, we're here to help every step of the way.
Why Start Early?
When considering infant swimming lessons, parents often wonder if their baby is too young to start.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends starting infant swimming lessons as early as age 1, though some specialized programs, like ours at Squiddles, can begin as early as 6 months. Early exposure to water through structured swimming classes for infants has been proven to offer numerous benefits:
· Water confidence development
· Enhanced motor skills
· Better cognitive development
· Early safety awareness
· Stronger parent-child bonding
What to Expect in Infant Swimming Lessons
Our infant swimming lessons are uniquely structured to ensure both safety and success:
One-on-One Instruction
Every child receives personalized attention from their instructor, allowing us to:
· Adapt to your child's learning style
· Move at your child's unique pace
· Address specific fears or challenges
· Build trust and confidence
Class Structure
· Individual sessions with dedicated instructor
· Consistent progression tracking
· Regular parent communication
· Skill mastery before advancement
Learning Progression
1. Breath Control Mastery
o Foundation of all water safety
o Age-appropriate techniques
o Building confidence through repetition
2. Float Development
o Learning to balance in water
o Understanding water movement
o Developing survival floating skills
3. Safety Maneuvers
o Rolling to breathe
o Wall grabbing techniques
o Self-rescue skills
Parent Participation
Your involvement is crucial for long-term success, which is why we encourage all parents to:
· Observe lessons actively
· Understand progression markers
· Learnmaintenance techniques
· Support at-home practice
Squiddles' Approach to Infant Swimming
At Squiddles, we believe that every child deserves the chance to survive in and around water, long before learning to swim. Our philosophy around infant swimming lessons centers on teaching essential water survival skills as a foundation for safety, confidence, and lifelong comfort in aquatic environments.
That's why we:
· Never rush the learning process
· Ensure complete skill mastery
· Build strong foundations
· Maintain consistent communication
Through persistence, expertise, and compassion, we empower children and their families to feel secure and prepared.
Our dedicated instructors are CPR and First Aid certified, with specialized training in infant and child swimming instruction through Angel Fish and ISR certification programs. We maintain small class sizes and provide personalized attention to ensure every child receives the support they need to succeed.
We offer several types of infant swimming lessons to meet your family's needs:
Our Programs
Our Programs - Age Guidelines
We offer specialized programs for every age and stage:
· Survival Swim Classes: 6 months and up
· Stroke Specific: Ages 3+
· Special Needs Programs: 12 months and up
· Adult Classes: 16+
· Pool School: Available for all ages, including parents and family members
Survival Lessons (6 months - 6 years)
Looking for swimming classes for kids near me that prioritize safety first? Our foundation program teaches essential survival skills, starting with breath control and the survival float. Every child works at their own pace, with our instructors showing the same dedication and persistence they'd show their own family.
[Link to: 5 Essential Water Safety Skills Your Baby Learns in Survival Swimming]
Special Needs Swimming (12 months and up)
We proudly welcome children with physical, cognitive, and sensory needs. Our instructors adapt our proven teaching methods to each child's unique abilities, ensuring every student has the opportunity to learn vital water safety skills. Grants are available to help make lessons accessible to all families. [Link to: Special Needs Swimming Lessons: A Complete Guide for Parents]
Stroke Specific Lessons (3+ years)
Once your child masters basic survival skills, they can progress to learning proper swimming techniques. We offer swim classes for infants near me that create confident, capable swimmers through individualized instruction. Each student must complete a free 15-minute pool test with our stroke coach before registering.
Adult Lessons (16+ years)
Learn more about our adult lessons here.
Pool School Pool (Available for all ages, including parents and family members)
Pool School is a unique refresh program designed for:
· Students who have completed their initial session
· Two-week skill reinforcement periods
· Parents learning to maintain their child's skills
· Families wanting to practice together
The registration fee is waived if students are returning to pool school within the same year they took their lessons.
Preparing for Your Child’s First Swim Lesson
Before beginning infant swimming lessons, proper preparation is crucial for success. Here's what you need to know:
Scheduling & Registration
· Each child requires a one-time registration fee
· Choose lesson times that align with your child's regular eating and sleeping schedule
· Book through our parent portal, email, or chat with us directly
Essential Items
· Three towels minimum for each lesson
· Required swim attire (specific guidelines provided upon registration)
· Three layers of clothing (detailed instructions provided)
Important Guidelines
· Follow food restrictions carefully - detailed guidelines will be provided
· Read and follow all provided instructions from start to finish of your session
· Commit to the entire program duration for optimal results
Frequently Asked Questions
Find our FAQs here.
Take the First Step
Quality infant swimming lessons are an investment in your child's safety and future
What makes our infant swimming lessons special isn't just our teaching techniques – it's our heart. We treat every child who comes through our doors as family. We understand that learning to swim isn't just about mastering techniques; it's about building confidence, creating safety awareness, and developing a lifelong positive relationship with water.
Our instructors bring both professional certification and profound dedication to their work. Each holds CPR and First Aid certification, along with specialized training in infant and child swimming instruction.
Finding the right "infant swimming classes near me" can feel overwhelming but here's how to get started:
Chat With Us: Connect us here if you still have questions
Enroll Online: Join our parent portal here to select your preferred program
Email Us at swimschool@squiddles.net to send your questions or registration request
Our family extends beyond just swimming lessons - we're here to support you throughout your child's water safety journey. Many of our students return for refresher courses, advance to new skills, and stay connected as they grow.
If needed, we offer financial assistance in the form of:
Scholarship opportunities available
Grants for special needs programs
Flexible payment options
Remember, quality infant swimming lessons are an investment in your child's safety and future. Join the thousands of families who've trusted Squiddles to teach their children essential water survival skills.
