My parents, especially my dad, love water and swimming. So I was taught to “swim” before I could crawl, mostly just learning to hold my breath as I was bobbed around in the water, and then to manage to keep my head mostly above water (when intended) and navigate (slowly) around with arm floaties. My younger brother didn’t get taught until later, like maybe 1 and a half. He also loves the water, but not as much as me. I feel so at home in the water and under water. So personally, I’d recommend starting young and not having any particular goals in mind for the first few years other than “hang out in pool with kid for 20-30 min, and don’t let them drown”. Actual swimming strokes can come much later.
My parents, especially my dad, love water and swimming. So I was taught to “swim” before I could crawl, mostly just learning to hold my breath as I was bobbed around in the water, and then to manage to keep my head mostly above water (when intended) and navigate (slowly) around with arm floaties. My younger brother didn’t get taught until later, like maybe 1 and a half. He also loves the water, but not as much as me. I feel so at home in the water and under water. So personally, I’d recommend starting young and not having any particular goals in mind for the first few years other than “hang out in pool with kid for 20-30 min, and don’t let them drown”. Actual swimming strokes can come much later.