How much swim should kids know to get by?

Question

My husband and I (unfortunately) don't know how to swim (yet). Our kids 8 and 7 years old, have been taking lessons on and off for 3 years. It looks like they can swim OK now.

Right now our aim is to make sure

- They know "how to swim and be safe near water".

- If we are at a pool or water park, they should be able to get in and play in the water if they want to.

Is there any basic list of "swimming requirements for kids" that we can check off so we can conclude that "they know how to swim and be safe near water and have fun if we are at a pool".

Like, what strokes, how far should they be able to swim (feet/metres) and any other really important skills they should master in the pool?

Thanks!

Answer 1

I think kids should be taught to swim from ages 5-13. Swimming for saftey is a must, and also there are alot of outdoor activities that they will feel left out of later in life or with freinds if they do not know how or are afraid to swim. They should at least be comfortable swimming three different stroke styles for the length of a 100 meter pool and of coure back again, so 200 meters without worry. Several YMCA's will offer you free swim lessons for you're children and cheap lessons for you adult's. Have Fun!

Answer 2

You need to teach them how to swim quickley, in case there is danger nearby. I would suggest makeing sure they can swim at least 50 yards of backstroke, breaststroke and freestyle and 25 yards of butterfly.  

Answer 3

Some of what your children need to know will depend upon their environment and their recreational activities. Do you, your neighbors, or relatives have a pool that they might use? Are you near any other fairly large bodies of water, including rivers, ponds or lakes, or the ocean? Are you involved in any water-related activities such as boating, sailing, or fishing?

From the American Red Cross website: Five year-olds should be able to do water entry, bubble blowing, front kicking, back floating, underwater exploration and more. The Red Cross has more material that can be purchased online, or from their local chapters, but not much more specific information online, unfortunately.

Here's my take on what your seven and eight year-olds should know, reading between the lines on the Red Cross website (plus a few of my own ideas):

1) Tread water for at least a minute.

2) Be able to do at least 25 yards for the front crawl, breaststroke, sidestroke, and backstroke.

3) Float or scull on their back in one position for a minute.

4) Be able to dive and retrieve something at least 8 ft. underwater.

5) Be able to put on a life jacket and use it in the water.

And, as soon as you can, both you and your husband should try to reach the same skill level.

Answer 4

As long as they flap their limbs in a way that makes them look like they know how to swim and they don't sink doing that.