Many infants and children who are early swimmers are challenged by a fear of the water. This is common and this fear may be innate or it may be sustained by a bad memory involving water: for kids, drowning is a very real fear. Whatever the cause, there are steps that parents and instructors can take to help reduce this fear, soothe the child, and encourage greater comfort in the water prior to beginning swim lessons. Here are some tips:

  • Participate in the journey. Get into the bath or the pool with your child and explore together. Your child draws comfort and courage from you. By getting into the water with them, you can help banish those water fears.
  • Start small and build. Don’t try to conquer your child’s fear of water in one dramatic step, work steadily toward your goal. Sit with your child with only feet in the water. Inch in further so that legs are wet – if this takes a couple sessions, go with it. Be vocal and encouraging through every stage.
  • Make it look like fun. Have floating toys, lots of floating toys. If you are in the pool, have swim noodles and a kickboard close at hand to discover and play with. These will help distract your child from their fears.
  • Get face and head wet. This can be the toughest part, as many babies have an aversion to water on their head. Go slowly: use a cup in the bath the gently wet their head and face – there will probably be a little coughing, that’s natural. Work up to blowing bubbles with face in the water, followed by comfortable immersion.

Sometimes children fear the water and need a little extra encouragement. It’s important to start swimming lessons as early as possible to help your child overcome his or her fear of water and start building confidence and comfort. Feel free to contact Texas Swim Academy or stop by our facility to learn more about our swimming programs, including our Survival Swim program.

SWIM SCHOOL IN KATY 

Texas Swim Academy is the best swim school near me offering result-oriented swimming lessons in Katy that cater to all ages and abilities. Our well-trained and experienced swimming instructors provide a variety of programs for infants through adulthood. For the little ones, we offer swimming lessons for babies and swimming lessons for toddlers focused on survival swimming skills to build a strong water safety foundation and foster water confidence at a young age. Once your child knows how to swim, our swim lessons for children will help refine techniques and build endurance, as the consistent practice of their swimming skills is an imperative part of becoming a strong swimmer. 

Our adaptive aquatics program is designed for children of all ages and abilities to ensure every child, including children on the autism spectrum, can benefit from these fundamental skills and enjoy the water in a safe and comfortable environment. Adults seeking to improve their swimming prowess or learn how to swim for the first time can enroll in adult swim lessons tailored to their specific goals.

Our swim lessons near me are a convenient and accessible way for you and your family to learn how to swim in a comfortable environment. Our dedicated instructors are passionate about teaching and ensuring your progress in the water. Take a few minutes to view Our Swimmer Stories to learn more about what other families are saying about their experience with Texas Swim Academy. 

Contact us to learn more about our programs or stop by our state-of-the-art swimming facility in Katy to register today. Be sure to follow our Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube pages for important news, updates, and swimming safety tips, and read our blog to keep up-to-date with important information on water safety and proper swimming lessons.