What is the right age for kid to start learning how to swim?

[bonzie]

Is 6 years in the best age to start? I`m not sure.

[stretch1967]

They have taught babies to swim. That should be fine as long as someone is there with him.

[mary33716]

i started mine at 2 yrs old and did great treat is float them in there back and they will flip to there beely you having your hand on there stomach and on there back soon you will see them treading water

[lvstephanie]

They (the Red Cross, which trains Water Safety Instructors (WSI)) actually have classes for infants mostly to teach them how to float in case they fall into a pool. But for the most part, preschool to 1st grade is when most parents start swim lessons. Level 1 is very basic, mostly trying to get the kids used to the water (esp. going under water for short periods of time) so can be taught to toddlers and preschool when they can follow directions from a non-parent adult. If you start lessons for your child, hopefully the instructors will do a pre-test on the first day to see what level your child should be at. When I was a WSI, I actually had a "Level 1" class in which all of the kids passed Level 1 on the first day, so I actually just taught level 2 with them; the parents were surprised at the end when I gave them cards for both level 1 and 2.

[bowrunner]

The younger the better to learn to swim.  If you start when they're babies it will be much easier as they won't have a fear of the water.  If that's not possible, then still the younger the better.  If they can swim the chances of them drowning are really cut way down.

[ladavia89]

They do the mommy and me swimming classes as early as 6 months. Babies begin their existence in fluid so starting them as infants in the pool really isn't that weird of a concept.

Of course they can't actually swim that early but the longer they have the experience in the water the less likely they are to freak out when you try to teach them when they're older

[lguzman1]

6 years is a great age for them to start. I think the smallest is the best time to start learning because they don't get as scared as when they get older.

[countrygirl12]

I am not sure there is a best age.  I have always been told the younger the better or easier it is.  I can dog paddle in shallow water.  Put me in deep water and I will drown.  I have seen really young kids that were able to swim really well.

[hitch0403]

Starting them young definitely good advice.My parents never too us for lessons...hence we dont know how.My wife took my son when he was around 4ish....now hes a fish!!