I seem to recall that the first thing you learn in swimming lessons is how to float. I imagine this is done so you realize that your body will naturally float, if you let it, to prevent panic.

Treading water is also terribly important, and a good cardiovascular skill. I remember that one of the requirements for hanging out at the deep end (which was where all the cool kids were) was being able to tread water for a minute, or maybe even longer.

I remember the first thing I learned was how to low bubbles to get used to having my face under water. But I imagine if they have had lessons then they are past that stage.

I remember playing with those sinking toys, having my dad or older brothers toss them around the shallow end and then me and my sister picking them up from the bottom. Helped us learn to hold our breaths longer.

The most traumatic step is also the most important - teaching the kinder that they won't die if they fall/jump into water that's deeper than they are tall. A kid that panics when they get their head wet isn't going to learn to be a strong swimmer. That may be a little advanced for new swimmers though.

I've been having my daughter jump from the edge of the pool into my arms, and I dunk us both a little every time. She loves it and has no fear of going under.

(I am not a swimming instructor, and the above may in fact be a very bad idea.)

"... I want to make sure they really learn to swim well. ..."

If you were in America, I'd strongly suggest enrolling them in Red Cross classes. There may be something analogous in your locale.

In general, beyond Learn To Swim, the Red Cross programs for advanced swimming and life saving techniques are good to pursue. As a parent teaching an important skill, I think you have to demand demonstration of skills as a prerequisite for moving to new levels. As an example, for basic safety, a person should be able to tread water, for at least 5 minutes. Easy enough to do in a warm swimming pool, if you allow the person to tilt back their head and drop their shoulders below the surface, but harder to do in open lakes or ocean, with a foot or two of chop, where keeping your head high, and being able to turn around for 360° horizon scans while blowing signal whistles, can be vital to being found by rescue craft. A kid who can't keep their head and shoulders out of water in a pool for 5 minutes, isn't going to last long in open water, and it's better they know that, than hear comforting words from a parent about their pool based good tries.

That's kind of the point of taking instructor led classes, with an exit skills test. They learn against objective criteria, and need to demonstrate learned skills to progress in the training hierarchy. That can involve bruised egos for lots of kids, and they sometimes look for situations which they feel are less judgmental. If you're a parent who can constructively criticize and coach your child, regularly, with good result, go for it. Most parents, I think, can't, and are better off hiring such jobs done.

If you want them to be good swimmers, I agree that Red Cross is the only way to go (and I am pretty sure they operate in Britain in exactly the same way as they do here, because I have been part of instructor exchanges). If you take the role of 'teacher' without your own training, you're likely to teach them bad swimming habits which they'll have to undo later if they get more serious about swimming. Which they might. For instance, if they ever want to work a summer lifeguarding or camp counseling, if they want to try triathlon, if swimming becomes an attractive sport pursuit for them in school or university -- it'll help them to go through a properly stepped program as they grow, and learn good stroke mechanics, self-preservation techniques, and lifesaving skills.

Of course, that would be in addition to just really enjoying their time in the water with their dad, which you already have covered.

In the UK the Red Cross doesn't run swimming classes, but your local leisure centre will run classes for people wanting to learn to swim.

Yeah, that's where we went, Jan. I think they just didn't like the classes.

I think a trip to the library is in order.

Back in the day you wouldn't have to ask a bunch of internet wierdos what to do, your TV would provide the answers!

Learn to swim!

Lonely water...

Shit your pants non-swmmers!

Why not go the whole hog and teach your kids Alexander technique swimming? Swimming+

Isn't dame a mad swimmer? Am I nuts? Who was the swimmer in this bunch?

I barely remember my own swimming lessons & I don't have kids, so I'm fully unqualified to answer this question.

jessamyn, I believe is the mad swimmer. There was a AskMe recently... it was in a podcast.

Here!

Yep, dame and jessamyn both.

I've never had swimming lessons since I grew up on the coast and we were always in the water. I do think one of the important things you're already doing is ensuring they have no fear of water. Until you can find good instruction, keep doing anything and everything that's play-related and gets their heads under water, etc.