As a parent, nothing breaks your heart more than seeing your toddler or young child scared or anxious, especially about something that’s good for them. Like swimming lessons.   

While you understand the many benefits associated with enrolling them in lessons, they may not share your enthusiasm. 

Maybe they come up with creative excuses not to go?  

Maybe they refuse to leave the house?  

Maybe the fear is too much, and they simply won’t get in the water?  

Or maybe the waterworks hit when they enter the pool, refusing to let go of Mum or Dad?  

If any of these scenarios sound familiar, you’re not alone.   

It’s completely normal for toddlers and young children to feel apprehensive about beginning swimming classes, especially if being in the water is new to them or if they’ve had a scary experience in a pool.

While it’s frustrating, the first thing to remember is that their feelings need to be validated.  Whether we understand their fears or not, it’s important we don’t dismiss how they feel and force them into something that genuinely scares them.   

Just like any other childhood fear, being afraid of the water is perfectly normal. To your little one, the water is a scary unknown — a strange place that they may feel trapped in, with no way out.  

Remember to be patient.  While their fear of the water is normal, you may never know exactly what triggered it.   

So, how can you help your precious little one to embrace the pool, and their passion for swimming?   

Work with your teacher and swim school and together you can move your little swimmer from anxious to confident.  

Learn to swim in Ipswich: The Swim Factory Australia has been trusted by the Ipswich community for over 30 years to teach kids how to swim; a truly valuable skill for life. If you are looking for swimming lessons that are close to you (and heated during winter) then connect with our friendly team today.