Picnics at the beach, summer camp on a pristine lake, the neighborhood pool… many of our fondest childhood memories are of splashing around in the water. Now that we’re parents, though, we see the hazards of such settings as well as the pleasures. That’s why, in an effort to keep our preschoolers safe, we often sign them up for swimming classes. But it’s important to understand what lessons can and can’t do for a child this age.

This is a great time for kids to learn to have fun in the water. However, it is recommended that children wait until their fourth birthday to take formal swimming lessons.

Classes can give kids and their parents a false sense of security. All preschoolers need adult supervision. Just because a child can dog-paddle across the pool doesn’t mean he’d be able to swim to the edge if he fell in.

Even so, being able to swim just a short distance is a big confidence booster for kids. Few preschoolers are coordinated enough to learn true swimming strokes. They learn to put their faces in the water, blow bubbles, and sometimes just jump in.

Regardless of their physical abilities, though, some preschoolers aren’t emotionally ready to take the plunge. If your child is clearly afraid of the water, pushing her to take lessons could make her more anxious. And even if your child eyes the diving board like a future Olympian, don’t be surprised if she clings and cries once you get to the pool. Children are often fearful at the start. If your child wants to just watch for a class or two, that’s perfectly normal.

Kids often take their cues from parents’ feelings and facial expressions. If you’re tense, your child will pick up on that. Before the first class, tell your child that it will be fun – like a big bath. Talk about how he’ll get to splash, blow bubbles, and sing songs in the water instead of how he’ll learn to swim.

Here are some expert guidelines for choosing a class that will make both you and your child feel comfortable.

1. Focus on fun. The atmosphere should be playful, and the emphasis should be on getting used to the water, not studying strokes. Water safety rules should be taught, but a child won’t fully understand what dangerous means until he’s at least 5.

2. Don’t depend on flotation devices. Though you may see such aids as noodles and barbells at the pool, kids shouldn’t spend much time with artificial support. They need to learn that they’re responsible for holding themselves up.

3. Cleanliness counts. Don’t be insulted if your toilet-taught preschooler is required to wear swim diapers. A surprising number of kids have accidents in the pool up to age 6.

4. Brief is better. Classes should be no longer than 30 minutes. Aside from their limited ability to concentrate, young kids get chilled much more quickly than adults.

No matter how relaxed and upbeat you are about this new experience, however, your child may not be.

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