So you’ve finally decided this is the year to sign your child up for swim lessons. You’ve taken in all the advice from well-meaning family and friends about their experiences with signing their kids up, but now the big question remains— should you sign them up for small group lessons (4-6 kids) or private one-on-one lessons?
We’re going to walk you through some of the considerations to help you narrow down your choice. Because both types of classes work for different kids.
Why This Decision Matters
Here’s what nobody tells you: how your kid first learns to swim can make or break their relationship with water. There are children who had terrible experiences in the wrong setting, developed fears that took years to fix. But kids absolutely light up when they find their perfect learning environment.
Finding the right class is more than just learning to kick and float. It’s about finding the right place for them to be excited to go back each week, so that they want to learn to swim!
The Scoop on Group Lessons
From the outside, group lessons might look a little chaotic. But some kids absolutely thrive in this environment. Your outgoing kid who wants to socialize with everyone might do very well in group swim classes.
The child who learns by watching other kids try things first? Perfect for groups. And let’s not forget— group lessons won’t break your budget the way private ones might.
What group classes do well:
- A cost-effective way to learn basic swimming skills
- Social interaction that many kids find motivating
- Exposure to different learning styles and approaches
- Built-in peer encouragement and support
- Structured curriculum that covers essential skills systematically
Where group lessons can struggle:
- Limited individual attention for specific challenges
- Pace determined by group average, not individual needs
- Shy children may get lost in the crowd
- Fearful children might feel rushed or overwhelmed
- Less flexibility to address unique learning styles
Here’s the reality: your kid will probably get about five minutes of actual one-on-one attention in a thirty-minute group class. The rest of the time? They’re watching other kids, waiting for their turn, or doing group activities. For some children, that’s perfect.
The Truth About Private Swimming Lessons
Private swimming lessons cost more money. Let’s just get that out there. But that extra cash buys something you literally cannot get any other way: thirty full minutes of an instructor focusing only on your child.
Every single thing the instructor does is tailored specifically to your kid. Their fears, their strengths, their weird quirks about not wanting to get their hair wet— all of it gets personalized attention.
Plus, one-on-one private swimming lessons accelerate your child’s progress, which means fewer classes to nail down their swim skills.
What Makes Private Swimming Lessons Special
- Instruction tailored specifically to your child’s learning style
- Pace adjusted to your child’s comfort level and abilities
- Immediate feedback and correction of technique
- Flexibility to spend extra time on challenging skills
- Ability to address specific fears or anxieties
- No waiting time or distractions from other students
Potential drawbacks of private swimming lessons:
- Higher cost per lesson
- Less social interaction with peers
- May lack the motivational aspect of group dynamics
Which Kids Thrive in Group Lessons?
Group lessons are really about personality and temperament. If this sounds like your child, they are probably a better fit for group lessons:
- Outgoing kids who love to be around others
- Children who learn by watching and copying others
- Kids who are motivated by a bit of friendly peer competition
- Energetic kids who love group dynamics
Which Kids Excel in Private Swimming Lessons
Some children simply learn better when all the focus is on them. They need the individualized attention that private swimming lessons offer to really absorb the lessons and pick up the skills.
Private Swimming Lessons Candidates
- Shy children who feel overwhelmed in group settings
- Kids with specific fears or previous negative water experiences
- Children who learn at a different pace than the typical groups
- Students who need extra attention for technique development
- Kids with learning differences or special needs
- Children who get easily distracted in group environments
Skill Development
Both group and private swimming lessons can effectively teach children to swim, but they often emphasize different aspects of skill development on different timelines.
Group lessons typically focus on getting children comfortable in water and teaching basic safety skills and swimming strokes. The curriculum is usually standardized, ensuring all children learn essential skills in a logical progression.
Private swimming lessons can dig deeper into technique refinement and address specific challenges. If your child has trouble with a particular skill, the instructor can dedicate entire lessons to working on that area.
Making the Decision Work for Your Family
What may work for one of your children might not be the best option for another child, and by now, you can probably tell which child will excel in which type of swim class.
Many successful swimmers started with either approach and developed strong skills and water confidence. So, find a learn to swim program for beginners that works best for your child at the moment, and you can always switch it up depending on how they respond to the lessons.
The important thing is to choose a swimming class that keeps your child engaged and motivated to improve their swimming skills, both in class and throughout the summer.
Full disclosure: She Owns It partners with others through contributor posts, affiliate links, and sponsored content. We are compensated for sponsored content. The views and opinions expressed reflect those of our guest contributor or sponsor. We have evaluated the links and content to the best of our ability at this time to make sure they meet our guidelines. As links and information evolve, we ask that readers do their due diligence, research, and consult with professionals as needed. If you have questions or concerns with any content published on our site, please let us know. We strive to only publish ethical content that supports our community. Thank you for supporting the brands that support this blog.