Toddler Swim Lessons

It’s very common for toddlers to feel unsure around water at first. Our instructors use songs, games, and guided practice to help children feel comfortable and engaged while learning new skills. The goal is to create a positive experience where toddlers gradually build confidence and enjoy being in the water.

Every child learns at their own pace. Emler’s SwimSure™ curriculum is designed with multiple levels and milestones, so children can build skills step by step as they grow. Each level builds on the previous one to ensure steady progress and strong water safety habits over time.

We keep class sizes small so instructors can give each child plenty of attention. Toddler classes typically have a 6:1 student-to-teacher ratio (levels 1A-1B), which helps instructors safely guide each child through new skills and provide encouragement throughout the lesson. Level 2 has a ratio of 4:1 since parents are no longer in the water.

Yes. For levels 1A & 1B, a parent or caregiver participates in the water with their child. This helps toddlers feel safe and supported while they are introduced to new skills. As children gain confidence and progress through the levels, they begin working more independently with their instructor. For level 2, a parent is asked to stay on deck.

Our toddler swim lessons focus on helping children become relaxed and confident in the water while building early safety skills. Depending on the level, toddlers practice skills such as:

• Going underwater and holding their breath briefly

• Assisted and independent back floating

• Assisted rollovers and safety movements

• Standing and walking in the water

• Early kicking and movement through the water

These skills create the foundation for future swim levels and stronger water safety as children grow.

Toddler swim lessons are designed for children 6 to 35 months old. These classes introduce young swimmers to the water in a gentle, supportive environment with a parent or caregiver participating in the lesson. Early classes focus on helping toddlers feel comfortable and happy in the water while beginning to build important safety habits.

Our toddler swim lessons run for 30 minutes. We design the duration to maintain engaging and effective lessons, taking into account the attention span of young learners.