Every parent knows how useful swimming is for children. But not everyone knows how to teach a child to swim correctly, quickly and without causing unnecessary stress.
Good day, dear readers. This article will be of interest to those parents whose child is afraid of water and those who want to prevent the development of this fear. We will consider the possible reasons for this fear, find out how to resist it, how you can prevent the occurrence of a problem. Let's first look at the possible reasons why the child began to be afraid of water?
1. Bad experience. For example, there could be bathing in too hot water in the bathroom, or when visiting a pond, the baby could swallow water, or while taking water procedures, shampoo got into the eyes of the little one, which began to "bite painfully".
2. Bad associations. The child could be in the water when the parents began to swear strongly, or the baby could have a terrible dream directly related to water (for example, the mother was drowning). In such situations, it is not surprising that the child develops a negative association.
3. Fear of open water. It is explained by the fact that the baby is used to taking water procedures in a calm atmosphere in a small room, in a place where everything is familiar to him. Once in the new territory, he experiences panic, and sometimes horror, especially if there are a lot of people around and quite noisy.
4. Transfer of fears by inheritance. If the parents of the baby themselves are afraid of water or are too worried when letting the baby go to the pool, the baby may feel their fear, and he himself will begin to be afraid.
5. Fear of the unknown. The toddler is able to sense danger when he cannot touch the bottom of the reservoir, or does not see what is under water.
Also, fear of hydration can be directly caused by the instinct of self-preservation.
How then to be?
If a child is afraid of water, it is extremely important to treat this problem with understanding, not to laugh at the baby, not to say that he is behaving funny, that his fear is not justified. You must approach this issue with all responsibility, do everything in your power to change the attitude of the toddler to the water element. Let's figure out what to do for parents who are faced with a similar problem, what to do first.
Take note that play can distract a toddler from the object of fear.
1. If the baby is afraid not only of open reservoirs, but also of taking water procedures in the bathroom, then it is necessary to cancel bathing for a couple of days. It is possible that this time will be enough for the little one to overcome his fear, simply forget about what scared him or caused discomfort.
2. You can try to explain to a child over one year old that bathing does not pose a danger to his life, to show that it is pleasant and enjoyable. For example, you can bathe your baby's favorite toy. However, if at such a moment you notice that the little one begins to worry even more, then abandon this idea, because this can further aggravate the child's condition.
3. The kid can be offered to play with the water, for example, to launch a rubber duck or a toy boat into the water. If the question concerns open bodies of water, then, while walking along the sandy beach, you can, for example, start collecting shells or pebbles. Explain to your toddler about what has washed them ashore from the water, let the child understand that going to the beach can be fun.
4. You can try swimming together. It is necessary that the baby plunges into the water with one of the parents. But you have to be careful here. It is unacceptable to very strongly press the little one to oneself, because such a gesture will be regarded as the presence of a threat, and will frighten the baby even more.
5. There is a possibility that the baby is intimidated by immersion in water without clothes. What if this is your case? Offer the little one to swim in panties and a T-shirt. If this acquaintance or communication is successful, gradually teach to swim without clothes.
6. By going to the pool, you can draw the child's attention to how other children are splashing merrily in the water. Remember that toddlers love to imitate their peers.
7. With the fear of reservoirs, sometimes the purchase of an inflatable circle comes to the rescue, especially if it is with the image of the kid's favorite fairytale hero. The task of the parents is to explain the purpose of this device, to convince the little one that the circle will help him.
8. Sometimes fear may arise not in front of a bath with water, but directly in front of the very tank for bathing. In such a situation, you can first introduce the little one to the bathroom itself, give it a touch, make sure that it is safe.
9. Sometimes fear is directly related to the room in which you bathe your baby. In such a situation, it is enough to change the environment, for example, transfer the bath from the bathroom to the bedroom or vice versa. It is possible that certain negative associations are associated with a particular room.
10. While bathing, the child can be distracted through play or toys, so that he does not think about the object of his fear.
11. If you cannot relieve the baby of fear on your own, then you need to contact an experienced psychologist or psychotherapist. The specialist will quickly determine what exactly caused the fear of water, select the appropriate therapy.
When teaching, it is important to remain calm, not to rush the child, not to raise his voice. A parent should be a “lifeline”, a “guide” on the way to the unknown. When the fear of water is left behind, they begin to learn to stay afloat. You should not delay this moment, because you get used to being in the water, touching the bottom.
But the best way is to send your child to a professional in their field, namely a swimming coach. He will find fear in your baby, together with him they will overcome him. And your little one will learn to swim.
