Screaming, crying and even rolling on the floor-We have seen it all! Sometimes it takes every ounce of willpower to keep it together when your child is throwing a tantrum about going to swim lessons. Here are some words of encouragement-This behavior is completely normal-You are Not Alone!
Consider this: Children are raised to not talk to strangers and stay away from water. Then they are signed up for swim class and handed off to a stranger in the water. This can be frightening for some children. Building a bond and establishing trust with the teacher is learned over time and soon your child will grow to love the water after a few lessons. It just takes time.
Here are a few helpful Do’s and Don’ts to help your family through this common transition period:
What Should You Do?
- Leave the pool deck: If you have ever dropped your child off at daycare-this can be the hardest part for some parents. Your parental instinct is to nurture and provide support but you need to teach your child to trust those whom you place him/her with that you will return at the end of the lesson.
- Offer continued support & encouragement: Though it can be a process, try and offer continuous encouragement to your child. Explain to him/her the benefits of learning how to swim and how is it so much fun!
- Practice Skills at home in bathtub or pool: Practice creates comfort! Working with your child outside of lessons will definitely begin to instill trust in the water and in confidence in his/her skills.
- Reinforce desire behaviors: Sometimes all it takes is a positive reinforcement. All children are parent pleasers at heart. Focus on the positives and remind your child that swimming is fun. Rewarding or encouraging enthusiasm for the pool may inch you child to water independence
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What Should You Not Do?
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Discontinue lessons altogether:
Swimming is a life skill, for water safety and sometimes survival. It is detrimental to your child’s development to discontinue lessons. We teach with a “learn to float” philosophy with the goals focused on children achieving balance and oneness with the water resulting in “discovering their buoyancy”
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Allow your Anxiety to Show through your child:
We all know that is hard to watch your child cry. It can be down right frustrating. Children are affected strongly by the energy around them-That is why it is so important to ONLY bring positive, happy & fun loving vibes to the pool!!
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Don’t hesitate to stop by the office to speak with us regarding extra help during your child’s lesson. Our teachers and team members are sensitive to these situations and want everyone to love swimming as much as we do!
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