Water Safety: Is Your Child Afraid of the Water?

Here are some quick tips for teaching your children basic water safety tips even-if they have a slight fear of the water!

Many children are afraid of the water, but you don’t need to let this small phobia turn into a lifetime of avoidance. There are many ways you can counter a child’s fear of the water either on your own or with the help of the talented staff members at the Texas Swim Academy.   Our instructors are extremely knowledgeable on the gentlest and most persuasive methods to get our tots to take the plunge.

Associate Water with Bath Time

When your child is young, you can encourage them to enjoy the water by adding common pool toys to the tub. Not only will toys like water wings keep them safe while they are bathing, but it will also associate these pool toys with a fun time. When they see these pool toys later on, they’ll know that a pool is just like a big bath tub.

Never Give Them a Negative Impression

While it may be frustrating to deal with irrational fears, you should never indicate that your child is strange for being afraid of the water or compare your child to other children. Instead, you should talk honestly with your child about their fear. Let them know that it’s okay to be afraid, and maybe even that you were afraid once too. After this, you can show them that there’s nothing to worry about. Otherwise, they may associate pools and water with negative emotions.

Be Patient with Them

Different children learn at different speeds. There is no right or wrong time to get good at swimming, as long as the child is making a constant and consistent effort. Scheduled lessons are the perfect way to develop your child’s confidence in a safe and structured atmosphere. As they see their peers progress, they will be driven to succeed as well.