2006-08-11 11:07:45 · 19 answers · asked by greenfairygypsy 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Grade-Schooler
The MOST important step is to get him comfortable in the water. Just let him wade in ankle deep water for a while, then slowly he'll go into deeper water. I don't think you should even consider teaching him how to swim until he overcomes his fear first (which may take a long time, but it will be worth it)
2006-08-11 11:14:12 · answer #1 · answered by gooch1970 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If he's really little and afraid of it just wait. Children have fears at one age that disappear once the child passes through to a different age. A very small child should never be in the water without an adult, so it shouldn't be a big deal if he can't swim just yet. Babies between about one and a half and two or so are big for being afraid of it. There's no reasoning with them. You just have to wait.
If he's older (8 or up) either just let him enjoy the more shallow water on his own terms or else let him have a smallish pool to play in and get comfortable with water. Some swimming programs for children probably have expertise in helping fearful kids get past it too.
If he has water that goes no farther than, say, his ribs and that doesn't have waves that may swoop over his head, he may be comfortable enough to try to figure out how to swim on his own.
Usually the fear of water has to do with either how high the water is, waves, how cold it is, or whether there are creatures in it. Kids don't like stepping on shells or feeling the sand pull out from under their feet either. They may also be worried about other children splashing them or pushing them under. They may even imagine stuff that isn't really there, like whales or sharks. If your son is old enough talk to him about why he's afraid.
2006-08-11 16:15:38 · answer #2 · answered by WhiteLilac1 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
My daughter was afraid until she was nearly 8. She refused to get into the water unless she had her legs locked around my waist and her arms locked around my neck.
Then she joined girl scouts and was embarrassed at a swimming event in front of her friends that they were all having fun and she wasn't, being stuck to my side. She asked for lessons as soon as we left the event.
Taking her to a location with lots of children having a fun time in the water, letting her see what she is missing may work.
2006-08-12 11:59:54 · answer #3 · answered by KD 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We never taught any of our 3 children to swim. We just got in the water and played. Whichever child was afraid of water was NOT asked or encouraged to to get in the pool. Eventually they want to join you and do. My youngest was swimming (self taught) at 11 months using this method.
2006-08-11 15:10:26 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My 6 year old son just overcame his fear of swimming. It took alot of patience and practice (months of it). Supported him and pushed him alittle bit after awhile when he did seem more confident in the water. We used a life vest at first and had him dog paddle while i held him, than how to kick his feet in the water. When he seemed to get the hang of it and started to be a little daring by holding the sides of the pool and swimming and he even started to jump off the diving board! Thats when I pushed him by taking off the vest and practice his swimming. At first I gave him the side of my arm to hold on to and he kicked with his legs than i would hold his sides while he paddled and kicked. Started to swim by himself in no time after removing the vest. Take your cues from his body language. Good Luck, I was so proud when he started swimming by himself as it will be for you too!
2006-08-11 21:12:04 · answer #5 · answered by LELA 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My daughter, who is 7, decided a couple weeks ago she wasn't going to let her fear "rule" her life. She got over her fear of water completely on her own terms and now she is like a fish. lol
2006-08-11 11:19:38 · answer #6 · answered by prmb1999 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
take him in a little at a time. First, stick your hand in the water and play with it and let him watch, once he sees you playing with it, he'll more than likely want to play with it too. then you take a step into the water, then see if he wants to. Be patient and you will finally get him in the water.
Simple as that.
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2006-08-11 21:50:47 · answer #7 · answered by aguyinthewoods 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well say you'll be with him the whole way and say if your scared of water are you scared of drinking it bathing playing with and that kind of stuff. Or you could ask why he's afraid. Blind fold him and put him in the water. (not a good idea though).
2006-08-11 11:14:33 · answer #8 · answered by edyyrules 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
start small, then get bigger, go to a very shallow pool, let him just walk around, and have fun...get used to the water, then take small steps from there as the fear starts to go away.
2006-08-11 11:37:00 · answer #9 · answered by kdancergirl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Start in the bath tub with the hand motions and such then slowly move up to bigger and bigger. Eventually he will learn that the water wont hurt him.
2006-08-15 08:20:18 · answer #10 · answered by LEAH 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋