Sorry, I am going to against the grain here. I have had Tehya is swimming lessons for months. First of all she did a swim survial class, we started this last year, and even though we went a couple of steps back over the holidays she has finally caught back up and has completed that class.
It is hard to watch your baby crying in the pool, what is harder is watching her under water, struggling to get to the top, it goes against every thing in me as a mother, I want to jump in and pull her out. Now after these heartbreaking lessons I can see my daughter fall into a pool, face first, fully dressed, with shoes and socks too, turn herself over and float for 15 mintues.
God forbid that Tehya ever fell into a pool, but I know now that she does have the ability to help herself. Was it worth the lessons of her crying and vomiting. Yes, it sure was. Far better a screaming child on top of the water than a quiet, still child on the bottom of the pool.
Tehya has now graduated that class and this week will start a swimming class. I should add though that all of these classes have been one on one. If your daughter is really scared perhaps this is the way to go. Also be sure to take her to the pool for a swim in between lessons.
Both my boys started lessons at 3 months and I'm really glad we started early as they have loved it from day one. Jack is now very competent in the water at just 2. I think it's harder for them when they start older.
I second what Trish said about the one on one lessons. I'd try this first before giving up. If she is still distressed then I think maybe stop for a term or two but make sure you take her swimming lots of times and get her used to it. Then try the lessons again. I totally agree with Trish that water saftety is just too important.
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