How can I get my 4 year old to get over his fear of the pool?

Answer 1

Don't push him. He will eventually get over it, or may never. I was afraid of going under water until I was about 7 years old. Then we went on vacation in the Adirondacks and my sister and I were floating on a rubber blow-up tire. She bailed off and I ended up flipping over, going under. It scared the heck out of me but I then realized going under water wasn't a big deal and got over the fear. You could actually make the fear worse if you just "throw him in the pool". Or worse yet, he could lose some of his trust in you. In the meantime, you may want to get him involved in swimming lessons at the Y. That way he will see other kids enjoying the water and may try it. Either way, let him work it out on his own. Good luck.

Answer 2

Answer: Many children (and adults, for that matter) are afraid of water, and for understandable reasons. For toddlers, being in the water can feel like they have no clear boundaries around them, and this can be scary and overwhelming. So whatever you do, never force your child into the water — carrying her into a lake or pool in the hopes that she'll get over it will only cement her fears.

For now, let your child keep her distance. You can play and frolic at the water's edge to show her how fun it can be, but don't require her to go in herself.
If she sees you having fun, she may ask to join you while holding your hand. If she does, let her take the lead. If she seems skittish and decides she's had enough after only a few minutes of water play, then allow her to go back to safe ground. Or, you can accompany her to the water's edge and encourage her to release her anxiety by shrieking and running away from the waves as they lap her feet. This way, she acknowledges her fear in a fun way.

If you have a younger toddler (a 1-year-old, for example, or close to this age), you may be able to soothe her fear of water before it becomes full-blown. Here's what you need to do: At the beach, fill a wash basin with water and place it on the shore. Encourage her to play in it while keeping a close eye on her. If she seems comfortable, invite her for a stroll near the edge of the water. Let her watch you dip your feet in, and if she's walking, walk her in up to her ankles or so while holding onto her tight. As long as she finds it pleasant, she'll grow to like playing in water.

For a child of any age, it may help to attend a parent-child swim class designed to help kids become more comfortable with water. You can tell your child that if she learns how to swim, it'll make her fairly safe in the pool, lake, or ocean. If she refuses to go in the pool for the first few sessions, sit with her and watch the other kids from the side. In time, her curiosity will probably get the best of her and she'll want to at least give it a try. Or, make bath time a blast with toys and point out to her from time to time that she's such a fish in the bath, you know she'll be a great swimmer someday. The important thing is for her to start associating water with pleasant events, such as a nice sunny day at the beach or splashing fun at swim class. Once she begins to think of water as something that is safe and enjoyable, she'll probably grow out of her fear.

Answer 3

Offer to hang onto him and walk around with him in the pool. Buying one of those cheap noodles might encourage him, too. (My kids loved those.)

Does he have a reason to be afraid of the pool? If not, just give it time and he will get over it himself. Many toddlers are fearful of what we would consider "silly" but that's completely normal. Don't force him and don't tease him about it. Just be patient and one day soon you'll be trying to figure out how to get him OUT of the pool.

Good luck!

Answer 4

1] offer to carry him on your shoulders, and go as deep or shallow as he likes. Let him say deeper or not so deep. The rule is he has to get his feet wet at least once.
2] buy swimmies - my kids did well with them.
3] play catch with him on side of pool [ no running ]. He will enjoy getting you wet when you miss.
4] Have you tried a baby pool? Or the bathtub? [ mine used to practice the dead man's float in the tub! ]
Try blowing bubbles in the water with a big plastic straw, then with his mouth, then progress to the pool, etc.
Good Luck!

Answer 5

Pick him out a really cool floatie.
Go in w/ him....always.
Hold him tight and close to you in the deeper water.
Go easy.
Just start by dipping him in.
Let him know it's fun and safe.
Just ease him in there.
Also try to get him in the water around other kids who are his age. Most kids HATE splashing.
I personally don't think "throwing him in" is a good idea.
That's one of the most rediculous things I 've heard yet.

Answer 6

Whats the big hurry to get your child in the pool.......

Answer 7

I threw my son in. I told him to plug his nose and he will see that he comes right back up. (I was standing right there). I know it sounds mean, but he thought he was going to drown and the pool was not even over his head. You need to show him that water is nothing to be scared of.

Answer 8

i think u should give him a toy but hold it in the shallow end and tell him HE has to come and get it. that u rnt handing it to him. that is wut we're doing with my cousin right now. it seems to be working ok