The Ultimate Guide to Swimming Lessons for Kids

Swimming is not just a fun way to keep your little ones active, it’s a skill that can save their lives. Beyond safety, swimming offers so many developmental benefits that can shape your child’s confidence, physical health, and even their social skills. 

We had a chat with Michelle Whytcross, Head of Aquatics at Maccabi Aquatics in Hawthorn (VIC), to get her expert take on why swimming is so essential for kids and how you can set your little one on the path to becoming a confident swimmer. Let's dive in (pun intended!) to everything you need to know.

Why Swimming is More Than Just Fun

Swimming classes are one of the most popular searches on Klassy and for good reason. It's not only an activity that kids absolutely love, but it also provides a range of benefits that go far beyond just having fun.

• Social Skills: Swimming isn’t a solo sport. In group lessons, your child will interact with other kids, learning teamwork, communication, and empathy along the way.

• Confidence: There’s no greater boost than watching your child achieve something on their own, and swimming is full of “I did it!” moments. 

• Physical Development: Swimming helps build strength, flexibility, and coordination. It teaches your child to control their body and improve their spatial awareness, while moving their body.

• Cognitive Skills: Taking instructions, following a routine, and focusing on the task at hand all help develop critical thinking and listening skills. 

• Emotional Growth: Whether it’s dealing with a new challenge or overcoming nerves, swimming builds emotional resilience. 

• Safety: Above all, swimming is a life-saving skill. Drowning is a leading cause of accidental death for children in Australia, but swimming lessons significantly reduce those risks and give your child the confidence they need to stay safe in and around water.

• Discipline: Structured swimming lessons teach kids to follow directions, work towards improving their skills, and stay committed to the process. It’s a great way to instil discipline and focus in your child, which will help them in other areas of life.

“Long-term, consistent swimming prepares a child’s body for adulthood, reducing their risk of later injuries. It complements most other sports and really sets them up physically for a healthy, active life.” Michelle Whytcross (Head of Aquatics at Maccabi Aquatics).

The Progression of Swimming Skills in Youth

There’s no ‘too early’ to get your child familiar with the water.  In fact, the earlier you start the better. Parent-and-toddler classes are available from just a few months old, building familiarity and comfort in the water. By age three, your child can move into structured Learn to Swim programs. These programs are typically divided into several levels, starting with water familiarisation and moving through floating, streamlining, and stroke development. At Maccabi Aquatics, class sizes remain small to support quality instruction, with four children in beginner levels and six in higher levels.

“The first key element is to be able to submerge themselves underwater, and once they're happy to do that then you introduce floating. And once floating can be achieved, then swimming can be achieved.” Michelle Whytcross (Head of Aquatics at Maccabi Aquatics).

As your child progresses, they’ll gradually learn key swimming techniques, from floating and kicking to mastering strokes like freestyle and backstroke. Each level is designed to teach children the building blocks of skills that they need to progress to the next element of swimming.

For kids who love a challenge (and a race!), competitive swimming is a natural next step. It gives them a great sense of purpose and belonging, as they train regularly, set goals, and work towards beating their personal bests. It also teaches discipline, time management, and how to win (and lose) with grace. Trust us, that’s a skill!

Swimming as a Lifesaving Skill

In Australia, where swimming is a huge part of the way we live, knowing how to swim is a vital life-saving skill. With our beautiful beaches, rivers and lakes, water is everywhere, and while it's one of the best ways to cool down on a summer's day, it can also pose risks. Sadly, drowning is a leading cause of accidental death for children in Australia, but the good news is that swimming lessons can drastically reduce those risks.

“Swimming is an activity that will save your child's life, and some people feel that it's a really flexible and optional activity and will prioritise things like basketball and soccer, however no child has ever died from not being able to kick a ball.” Michelle Whytcross (Head of Aquatics at Maccabi Aquatics).

Lesson Options for Children with Anxieties or Special Needs

If your child feels nervous around water, you're not alone, and there are options to help. As a parent, it can be tough to see your child anxious in the pool, but rest assured, it’s incredibly common. The most important thing you can do is stay calm, keep things low-pressure, and avoid forcing any participation. Pushing too hard can create a negative association with water, and that’s something we want to avoid.

Some children may feel nervous about putting their faces in the water, while others may struggle with sensory sensitivities. Luckily, there are plenty of supportive options available. Many of the swim schools on Klassy offer special sensory swimming programs that cater to children with additional needs or anxiety. These programs typically involve a quieter, low-stress environment with one-on-one lessons and sensory tools like storyboards and social stories.

With the right support, your child can build water confidence at their own pace, and even grow to love it.

“For our sensory program, it's all one-on-one lessons, and there's a maximum of four teachers with one student each during your lesson time. We have one additional teacher there to get to know each child, in case somebody was going to be away, so the child always has a teacher that they're familiar with, reducing any stress around unfamiliarity” Michelle Whytcross (Head of Aquatics at Maccabi Aquatics).

How You Can Help Your Child Feel Comfortable in the Water

You don’t have to wait for swimming lessons to get your child comfortable in the water. You can start to build that familiarity from birth with simple activities during bath time. Pouring water over their head, playing with water toys, or even blowing bubbles can make water feel like a fun and safe space. And once they’re in the pool, keep things playful and relaxed. Let them splash, float, and enjoy the water without the pressure of “learning” to swim right away.

Your attitude as a parent matters too. Kids pick up on how their parents feel about activities, so if you stay positive and reassuring, even when things aren’t going smoothly, your child will feel more confident. Even if they’re a little nervous, your encouragement will make a huge difference!

“Some children don't enjoy swimming in the beginning, but the parents' attitude towards it can make a world of difference. If a parent is encouraging, even if their child is upset, and they talk about the fun elements of what's going to happen it makes them feel more at ease.”  Michelle Whytcross (Head of Aquatics at Maccabi Aquatics)

Teaching your child to swim is one of the most important and rewarding things you can do as a parent. At Klassy, we make it easy for you to find the perfect swimming class for your child. With a wide range of options from trusted instructors, you can find lessons in your neighbourhood that best suit your child’s needs.

Ready to get started? Search for classes today to find the best swimming lessons for your little one. Swimming classes can be filtered in the search results by selecting the ‘Recreational’ activity type.