Infant and toddler swim classes abound, and until recently, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) didn’t think they were safe. The AAP consistently advised against swim lessons for children younger than 4 years of age. Such lessons, the AAP said, provided no guarantee that younger kids would become water-safe and gave parents a false sense of security.

In July 2010, however, the AAP issued new guidance for Prevention of Drowning, with a markedly different perspective on swim lessons. While noting that, “teaching your child how to swim DOES NOT mean your child is safe in water,” the AAP now says:

• They no longer recommend against swim lessons for children 1 to 4 years of age. At the same time, the group does not recommend swim lessons for this age group either but recognizes that it may be reasonable for children in this age group to begin to learn “water-survival skills.”
• Parents should consider several factors before deciding to enroll a child in lessons, including how often the child is around water, how mature he is, and if he has any physical limitations.
• Parents should also consider any pool-related health concerns, such as swallowing water, infections, and exposure to pool chemicals.
• Parents should practice “touch supervision” with children younger than 5 years old, at all times. The parent should be within arm’s length of the child at all times when he is in the pool.
• Parents should never leave children unsupervised alone or near the pool—ever.

Even if your child has completed swim lessons, the AAP cautions parents to follow pool safety guidelines, which address such issues as proper fencing, gate latches, rescue equipment, CPR, life vests, and pool covers.

If you’re interested in signing your child up for swim lessons, you may want to take a look at the World Aquatic Babies and Children Network’s guidelines for the operation of aquatic programs for young children. According to WABCN, such programs should have:

1. Parental involvement
2. Fun atmosphere with one-on-one teaching
3. Qualified teachers
4. Warm water (to prevent hypothermia)
5. Well-maintained water
6. Limited number of submersions (to prevent water ingestion)

Follow all of these guidelines and your child should be safe in the water no matter his age.