When my toddler approached the year and a half mark, I decided that it was time for the little guy to get his feet wet in some swimming lessons. Swimming lessons would be an enjoyable social and athletic activity that we could take part in together on Saturday mornings, and knowing how to swim is an invaluable skill that all children should learn. I wanted my son to be comfortable around the water and grow into a confident swimmer. Swimming lessons for my toddler could provide a hobby and sport for him to participate in as he grows- and could also potentially save his life. Here in Chicago’s northwest suburbs, there is no shortage of swim schools that offer lessons for babies and toddlers. Here are the top four.
Foss Swim School
www.fossswimschool.com
Highland Park, Illinois
Foss Swim School’s mission is to build confidence through the mastery of skills. With rolling admissions and monthly classes clearly outlined on their website , it’s easy to sign up your child for classes just a couple weeks or so before you’re ready to start the first lesson. Their Backfloat Baby program is for babies and toddlers ages 6 to 36 months and offers two skill levels: BBaby 1 for beginning children just getting used to being in the pool, and BBaby 2 for the excited toddler ready to swim independently for five seconds.
Dolphin Swim Club
www.dolphinswimclub.com
Arlington Heights, Crystal Lake, and Skokie, Illinois
Dolphin Swim Club has three principles for parents of swimming babies and toddlers: be positive, be resilient, and be patient. Their Baby Swim program is for babies as young as four months through toddlers up to twenty-four months of age. They will let you and your child enjoy a free lesson before you sign up. Availability is flexible, and admissions and lessons are on-going, so it’s best to schedule your free lesson and then discuss session times.
Chicago Swim School
www.chicagoswimschool.com
Glenview and Arlington Heights , Illinois
The Chicago Swim School emphasizes that students are not held back due to age and also integrate life saving skills into their basic programs. Their baby and toddler swim program, StarBaby, is for young swimmers 6 to 36 months. StarBaby features four different levels, ranging from the beginner class, StarBaby 1 and culminating in StarBaby 4, which is designed to transition older toddlers into regular, older child lessons. All babies and toddlers start in StarBaby 1, where they splash, back float with assistance, and begin submersion under water, and then progress accordingly.
Big Blue Swim School
http://bigblueswimschool.reachlocal.net/
Glenview, Illinois
Big Blue Swim School believes that swim lessons are a necessity and not a luxury. Like most baby and toddler swim lessons, their beginner program, called “Baby Blue,” is for children ages 6 to 36 months. The Baby Blue program is broken down into three skill levels: Baby Blues 1 through 3 depending on the child’s age. They offering continuing enrollment, but you must commit to two consecutive months upon initial enrollment. Big Blue is adding a second swim school location in Wilmette, Illinois, as well.
With these four great options, signing a baby or toddler up for swim lessons is easy! All four of these excellent private swim schools boast well-trained staff, warm pool water, and an inviting atmosphere for your baby or toddler to enjoy his first splashes. My son has had a blast so far at his swim lessons. Your toddler will, too!
