General Kids related Questions, Observations and Thoughts.

[M V]

Thread to post general kids related questions, observations, thoughts.

Questions that we don't feel like creating a separate new thread for, safety recalls and so on.

[M V]

Wondering about the time and money we spend on kids' swim lessons.

1. Are the early swim lessons (Parent and child) for kids less than 3 years worth it?

2. When is a good time to start swim lessons for kid? 4 yrs? Or look for signs of interest?

3. How long does it take for the kid to learn enough swim, if going once a week? A year? Two years?

4. Is it better they go year round or just warmer months?

I am beginning to think we should start only when the kid is like 7 or 8 yrs old and then they learn it in a few months.

[munna_bhai]

Wondering about the time and money we spend on kids' swim lessons.

1. Are the early swim lessons (Parent and child) for kids less than 3 years worth it?

2. When is a good time to start swim lessons for kid? 4 yrs? Or look for signs of interest?

3. How long does it take for the kid to learn enough swim, if going once a week? A year? Two years?

4. Is it better they go year round or just warmer months?

I am beginning to think we should start only when the kid is like 7 or 8 yrs old and then they learn it in a few months.

MV,

We started our kid when she was 4 yrs old. Right she is 5 yrs and 6 mos and is doing a little better. She can dive in the water, out her head down for a little bit and makes great effort to swim. Obvisouly she is still no where near swimming but the problem is she gets to swim only in the summer.

My younger one now 2 yrs old loves to go in the kiddie pool. He is not afraid of water and likes to take a dip and come out. I remember that it took my daughter 1 whole year to do that.

So take your pick. I think exposure to swimming is important but having realistic expectation by parents is more important. I let my kids take their time to learn it as long as they are having fun. And I hope one day they swim like a fish :-)

[realgoogler]

Wondering about the time and money we spend on kids' swim lessons.

1. Are the early swim lessons (Parent and child) for kids less than 3 years worth it?

2. When is a good time to start swim lessons for kid? 4 yrs? Or look for signs of interest?

3. How long does it take for the kid to learn enough swim, if going once a week? A year? Two years?

4. Is it better they go year round or just warmer months?

I am beginning to think we should start only when the kid is like 7 or 8 yrs old and then they learn it in a few months.

Less than 3 years not worth it if the child does not display interest or aptitude.. same for potty training I guess :)
My son learned basic swimming @6 He took 2 sessions (8 weeks each) to reach that comfort level. he can swim ok now. Pool is a good hangout for kids.

My opinion 5/6 should be good enough. More you wait, it might be difficult.. I am still trying to float :) My mid-life crisis is n't giving up.
I am learning it separately.

I also tried to get a parent-child lesson. But I think you(or other parent) might want to get the same timing for Adult swimming class.

[boca]

Wondering about the time and money we spend on kids' swim lessons.[/quote]
Each kid is unique. Some start early, some late. Some take long, some learn fast. Now, I am sure my post of no help. :)

A toddler, by 24-months, can be taught to jump off the side of the pool, turn, and swim back to the side. Between 24-36 months, they learn to pop up for a breath as well as back float. All of these are basic safety techniques, not necessarily endurance swimming. Can it wait till they are a bit older? Of course!

My kids started pretty early (<24 months). While the 6 year old is getting there, the 10 year old is a fish, with the technique that is elegant to watch. I am hoping that he gets certified as a lifeguard as soon as he turns 15 (min age).

[M V]

Don't kids look the cutest for a few days after a haircut? I find it hard to be firm and say No to things like more TV or some more Wii play when they look so cute.

[anwesha]

My older one is left-handed. Well mixed-handed I would say. During summer she was practicing writing with her right-hand, just because she wanted to, I didn't know unitl she showed me some letters traced with her right-hand.
Reading this http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Handedness#Environmental_theories freaked me out. The minute I read a about mental illness and such, I closed the tab and posted here. Any thoughts on this topic??

[neesha]

anwesha,

I didn't read your link yet... but yes I have seen a close example. A friend's daughter is ambidextrous and had one small episode of mental illness. Not sure if she will relapse anytime or not ?

[neesha]

Read the article now. By ambidextrous, i meant only for writing.

My other half is mixed handed i.e he uses left hand for sports, lifting heavy things and doing any hard work but he writes with right hand. One of my children is right handed and other other left handed.

Normally it is said that Left handed people are generally good artists,singers, musicians... But we didn't see those traits in my family.

What I have read is, left hand is connected to the right hemisphere of the brain and right hand to the left hemisphere of the brain. Left hemisphere of the brain is associated with Logic, Mathematics, Hard work etc and the right hemisphere of the brain is associated with poetry, art etc. They are also labelled as masculine and feminine natures (not starting a war of sexes here). Both Men and Women posses both qualities is various proportions.

[anwesha]

anwesha,

I didn't read your link yet... but yes I have seen a close example. A friend's daughter is ambidextrous and had one small episode of mental illness. Not sure if she will relapse anytime or not ?

The episode you had narrated in one of the threads here? Good lord!! :(