Swimming is a challenge for some children. Many have difficulties in their learning experiences, which causes distress in parents who enrol their kids in swimming lessons. Have you ever wondered why some children have difficulty learning how to swim? Here are a few possibilities that you can consider:
As a child that isn’t used to the water, it is normal for them to fear it. It is significantly worse if they have a negative experience, such as near drowning or being unable to be independent in the water. This fear sets them back in their swimming journey, as it’ll take particularly long for them to progress in their aquatic skills. However, by enrolling your children in private swimming lessons in Singapore, you can provide personalised support that helps them overcome their fears and advance in their swimming abilities.
If your child attends lessons infrequently or only has them once a week, it might not be enough for them to progress quickly. Therefore, even if their swimming lessons are just once a week, consider bringing them to the pool and letting them have at least 30 minutes of swim time under your supervision. This extra pool experience will increase the time they spend practising, giving them an upper hand in progressing. With more such practice, they’ll be able to remember and retain their swimming techniques.
A great way to get kids to do something is to emphasise the fun of it all! If their lessons are “boring” or don’t quite grasp their attention, they dread going to their classes and naturally refuse to retain what they learn. Therefore, choosing the right type of swimming coach in Singapore for your children is vital! At Swimwerks, we have well-trained professionals that will guide your children in their swimming journey in a fun way.
If swimming lessons weren’t begun from a relatively young age, your child might not be used to the rigours of swimming. Swimming takes up the entire body’s mobility and can be highly exhausting. To address this concern, it’s always best to let your children do the activities you would typically opt to do as parents. These include putting on their clothes, pouring beverages, and asking them to help you open or close containers, drawers, and more! This act enhances their motor function and hand-eye coordination, which will then aid in their swimming lessons.
Instructors who have completed a swimming instructor course are trained to recognise and support children with varying levels of motor skills, ensuring that lessons are tailored to help each child progress effectively.
While it may seem challenging to get your kid to learn to swim at a steady pace, always remember that every child is unique. Based on our experienced, we believe slow progress does not mean a child cannot learn. Each child progresses at their own pace, and with the right guidance, they can thrive.
Regardless of how long it takes, patience is vital, and all you have to do is aid them in small ways, as mentioned above, so that they can progress in their swimming journey. With many benefits of kids having swimming lessons from a young age, join the Learn to Swim programme at Swimwerks! We offer a range of swimming lessons in Singapore, including kids swimming lessons, private swimming lessons, and female swimming lessons.
With our structured lesson plans, small class sizes, and experienced coaches, we will ensure that your child is learning efficiently.
At Swimwerks, we suggest starting formal swimming lessons around the ages of 3 to 4. By this time, most kids can follow simple instructions. However, you can introduce them to the water even earlier with parent-supported sessions. Getting them comfortable in the water from a young age helps build their motor skills and confidence before any fear sets in.
Every child is unique in how quickly they learn, but typically, if they have weekly lessons plus one additional supervised swim session, most kids can feel comfortable in the water within about 3 to 6 months. They might swim independently in 1 to 2 years. If a child only has one lesson a week and doesn’t practice more, it can take longer.
It’s actually better not to wait. Delaying lessons can sometimes make the fear harder to overcome. At Swimwerks, we believe that kids who are scared can benefit from private or small-group lessons with a gentle, experienced instructor who can work at their pace. Regular and gentle exposure is more helpful than avoiding the water.
We recommend at least one extra 30-minute supervised swim each week in addition to their lessons. Repetition is key to turning what they learn into lasting skills.
For kids who may be frightened of the water or have had a bad experience, private lessons can be more beneficial because they allow for personalized pacing, which often leads to quicker progress. Once they gain confidence, many kids enjoy moving into group classes, which can be fun and motivating.
Still deciding between group and private lessons? Read our guide on Group vs Private Swimming Lessons for Kids: Which Is Right for Your Child? to find the right fit for your child.
San Htar is the SEO Specialist at Swimwerks Singapore, where she manages SEO and content strategy. With several years of experience in digital marketing across Southeast Asia, she has worked across SEO, paid media, and content for businesses in multiple industries. At Swimwerks, she focuses on creating content that helps people in Singapore can actually find the information they need when looking for swimming lessons for their kids and adults. Swimwerks is one of Singapore’s trusted swimming schools, with over 6 years of experience, more than 1,000 students coached, and a presence across 30 locations island-wide, from ActiveSG pools to condominiums across Singapore.
