Waterproofing Your Child: Practical Tips to Overcome Water Fear and Build Confidence, Even if Swimming Lessons Seem Scary

Does your child feel like a fish out of water as soon as they see water? Water fear is more common than you think, and it can be a significant hurdle, especially if your child is about to start swimming lessons. Approximately three in ten children experience water fear to some extent [4, 5, 18]. But don't worry, with the right approach, you can help your child overcome that fear and dive into the water with pleasure. This article provides practical tips to overcome water fear and build your child's confidence, so that swimming lessons, and everything related to water, becomes a positive experience.

What Exactly is Water Fear?

Water fear, also known as aquaphobia or hydrophobia, is a fear of water and activities related to water [4]. It can manifest as fear of bathing, showering, swimming, or even fear of water on the face [4, 5]. Often, it's not the water itself that children are afraid of, but the unknown dangers they imagine [4]. For example, they may be afraid of getting water in their eyes or face, or they may find it scary because they cannot estimate the depth [4].

Causes of Water Fear

Water fear can have several causes [4, 8, 18]:

• Bad Experiences: A fall into the water, a near-drowning experience, or another traumatic event can lead to a fear of water [2, 3, 8, 17].
• Lack of Experience: Children who have little contact with water may develop a fear of it [18, 27].
• Parents' Fear: Parents who are afraid of water themselves can unconsciously pass this fear on to their children [4, 8, 27]. Children are sensitive to signals their parents give off, including indirect signals through body language [4].
• Imagination: Children can develop fears through their imagination, such as being afraid of being flushed down the drain [18].

Practical Tips to Overcome Water Fear

The good news is that water fear is usually quite surmountable. Here are some practical tips you can apply [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 14, 17, 18, 19, 25, 32]:

• Take the Fear Seriously: Don't belittle your child's fear, but acknowledge it and show understanding [4, 29]. Let your child know that it's okay to be afraid [24].
• Talk About It: Try to find out what exactly your child is afraid of [4, 18]. By talking, you can better understand the fear and address it more effectively [18, 25].
• Don't Force Anything: Never force your child to do something they find scary [2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 32]. This can actually worsen the fear [7, 32]. Let your child set the pace [1, 4].
• Make it Fun: Practising through play is key [2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 11, 32]. Turn the water into a friend instead of an enemy [32]. Think of games such as blowing bubbles, fishing for toys from the bottom, or playing with cups of water [1, 7, 8, 14, 32].
• Practise in Small Steps: Start by washing the face with a washcloth or a small bowl of water [2, 3, 7]. If that goes well, try blowing bubbles in the water [1, 2, 3, 14]. Build it up slowly [1, 2, 3].
• Create a Safe Environment: Make sure your child feels safe and secure in the water [7, 26]. Stay with them yourself and don't let go if they don't want you to [8, 32].
• Use Aids: Armbands, a kickboard, or a life jacket can give your child a sense of security [11].
• Go Swimming Together: Visit the swimming pool outside of swimming lessons so that your child can get used to the water in a relaxed atmosphere [31, 32]. Compare swimming lesson providers in your city and find a pool near you.
• Be Patient: Overcoming water fear takes time [1, 2, 32]. Don't give up and keep supporting your child [31]. Every small step forward is a victory [32].
• Reward Positive Behaviour: Give your child a compliment if they have done something brave, no matter how small [31, 32]. Focus on the effort, not the result [31].

Tips for in the Bath or Shower

• Make it a Game: Let your child hold the shower head themselves or decide how high the bath water should be [4].
• Use the Right Temperature: Make sure the water is not too hot or too cold [7].
• Distract: Sing songs, tell stories, or use bath toys to distract attention from the fear [11].
• Be Creative: Have your child take water into their mouth and spit it out again, or blow bubbles in the water [1, 14].

What if Swimming Lessons Seem Scary?

If your child is anxious about swimming lessons, there are a number of things you can do:

• Choose a Swimming School with a Child-Friendly Approach: Inquire about the teaching methods and the experience of the swimming instructors [12]. A permanent instructor can help build trust [5]. Read more about lesson methods.
• Consider Private Lessons: In a private lesson, your child gets all the attention and the lesson can be adapted to their pace and needs [5, 31].
• Go and Watch First: Let your child watch a swimming lesson a few times so they can see what's happening [8, 31].
• Start in a Small Group: In a small group, there is often more personal attention for each child [5].
• Communicate with the Swimming Instructor: Discuss your child's fear with the swimming instructor so they can take it into account [29, 31].

The Importance of Water Safety

Despite the fear, it is important to remember that swimming is an essential skill [6, 18, 25]. The Netherlands is a country rich in water, and it is important that children can save themselves in the water. A swimming certificate not only gives a sense of security, but is also socially important [29].

Keep in mind that the A diploma is not always sufficient for swimming safety. The B and C diplomas are important to ensure that your child can also save themselves in unexpected situations. Check out the knowledge base for parents for more information on swimming safety and the value of the various swimming certificates.

Conclusion

Water fear can be a challenge, but with the right approach and a lot of patience, you can help your child overcome this fear and learn to swim with pleasure [25]. By taking the fear seriously, practising through play, and creating a safe environment, you lay the foundation for a lifetime of swimming fun and confidence [5, 26].

Are you looking for suitable swimming lessons for your child? Compare swimming lesson providers in your city and find the swimming school that best suits your child's needs. For example, you can compare swimming lesson providers in Amsterdam and Rotterdam.

Call to Action

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