Fear of the water can be a big barrier to enjoying a fun yet important activity. While it is understandable to be worried about your child’s safety in the pool, swim lessons can help them become more confident and relaxed when they go near or in the water. Here are some tips on how you can make swim lessons an enjoyable experience for your child who may be anxious about swimming.
Choose the right instructor:
Finding an experienced and patient instructor is key when looking for someone to help your child learn how to swim. Our instructors are trained to teach children with swim anxiety so your child feels safe and comfortable. Be sure to ask potential instructors about their curriculums and approaches so you have a better idea of what kind of instruction they will provide.
Keep it short and sweet:
Swim lessons should not last too long so children do not get overwhelmed or bored quickly. We know this at Pelican Bay! Our beginner lessons are shorter sessions with breaks; as their confidence grows, we slowly increase their active time. This way, they can stay engaged without feeling drained until they are ready for longer lessons.
Make it fun:
When teaching skills like floating or paddling, having fun games or activities on hand can help keep your child motivated while teaching them important safety information that could save their life if needed. Simple games such as “Follow the Leader” or “Simon Says” are great ways to make learning these skills enjoyable, so your child won’t dread going into the pool every week!
Provide reinforcement:
Swim lessons should be about skills and recognizing progress to provide emotional support at all times during the learning process. As a parent, you should note any successes throughout each swim lesson, whether small or large, and remind them how proud you are; this will encourage them to continue making progress while having fun!
By combining patience, reassurance, and instruction from a skilled teacher, helping your child overcome their swim anxiety becomes much easier! Head to our website to sign up for swim lessons today!
