As a parent, you instinctively want to protect your child from every danger, and water is often at the top of that list. You might find yourself wondering if it’s too early—or perhaps too late—to get them in the pool. At PhD Swim School in Durham, NC, we believe the best time to start is the moment your child becomes mobile. Enroll today.

The Crawling Phase (6+ Months)

Surprisingly, effective water safety begins before your child can walk. Our survival swim lessons are designed specifically for infants who are crawling (usually 6 to 12 months). At this crucial age, we teach them to roll onto their backs and float independently—a life-saving skill if they were to accidentally fall in. While we offer newborn swim lessons for early acclimation, the survival program really shines once mobility starts.

The Toddler Years (Walking – 3 Years)

If your child is already walking, toddler swim lessons shift focus to the “swim-float-swim” sequence. Because toddlers are more active, we harness their motor skills to teach them how to swim short distances, roll to breathe, and swim again. This builds not just safety, but incredible confidence and coordination both in and out of the water.

Preschool and Beyond

It is never too late to start. Our kids’ swim lessons for older children (ages 4+) focus on refining stroke technique while maintaining that core foundation of survival. Whether they are 6 months or 6 years old, the goal remains the same: ensuring they are competent and calm in the water.

ENROLL TODAY

Ultimately, water safety is a lifelong gift. By starting early, you replace your own anxiety with your child’s competence. If you are looking for a science-based swim school in Durham, NC, we are here to guide you through every splash, float, and stroke. Enroll today.


Enroll Today

Coach Katie Blalock

SENIOR INSTRUCTOR, DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS OPERATIONS

Katie B. is a former sprint triathlete and triathlete coach. She also has experience teaching fearful adult beginners how to swim. Katie is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Wilmington with a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. She also has prior accounting and business administration experience with Raleigh Brewing Company and Charles & Colvard.

Katie has two boys herself and loves working with young children. She is a gifted teacher with special strengths in class organization, maintaining structure in a fun environment, and establishing a relationship of trust with her students. Katie has undergone over fifty hours of intense in-water and academic training to learn our method. She primarily manages all day-to-day business activities and is also an instructor. She currently teaches Survival, Kicks & Tricks, and, FUNdations.