toddler swimming

Question
Thanks for the response! He did actually use the kick board a few times last weekend, it's just hard for him to stay in it, he is only about 31 pounds! I think he must be talented in swimming so of course I'm thinking "college scholarship" someday! Yet he's only 3! So should I start taking him to the ymca for lessons or is that silly? He does love to swim and I'd like to help to develop this and encourage him, especially since it's going to be cold soon here and the pool will be gone till next year. Is it too soon to do lessons or is it too much for right now?
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Followup To

Question -
I have a son who just turned 3 and this summer has gone from in the pool with his floaty to life jacket to nothing. He can barely touch the bottom and just last week began jumping in and swimming the length of the pool (18feet) totally underwater by either holding his breath or blowing bubbles or a combination of the two. He has done this without much input from me except excited encouragement. Still working to get him to swim above water but isn't this young to be doing all of this? Or is this normal? He has only been in the pool around 10 times this year and last year he sat in a floaty so he pretty much did this quick. Also, what can I do to help him learn to swim on top of the water?
Thank you

Answer -
Good job mom! Give yourself a pat on the back! Your son is doing wonderfully! The fact that he is swimming at all at his age is wonderful.  With time he will learn to swim above the water.  I would just keep encouraging him and also encourage him to try above water.  He will do it!  Give him a kick board to use above the water and lot of encouragement!

Again great job mom!

Kate

Answer
I would reccomend swim lessons for your son not only as an allexperts volunteer but also as a mom. I enrolled my son (20 months at the time of enrollment) into swim lessons this year.  Although he can not hold his breath on his own yet, he can float and that gives me just the time needed to scoop him out of the water as necessary.  Giving your child the gift of swimming is probably one of the most important things that you can do to help ensure safe, happy summers for the years to come.

Good luck and please let me know how the lessons go!  Have a good rest of the summer.

Kate