Becoming Brave
First we have to remember that it is natural for someone who cannot swim or is a weak swimmer to be scared or nervous. We want to acknowledge and validate those feelings. It is what keeps us alive in dangerous situations. Here are some suggestions to help your child build their confidence and become brave in swimming lessons…
Talk to them in a safe environment outside of the pool about their fears and concerns.
Explain that Ms. Kristin is a professional swimming teacher. I’ve taught hundreds-thousands of children how to swim and be safe in a pool. No one has ever gotten hurt in lessons.
Let them know that they won’t get in trouble in swimming lessons for speaking up about being scared or asking for help. I will always give help when needed (but I won’t do it for them if I know they can do something but won’t try). I can modify what I am asking them to do to make it easier for them to build up the confidence to try. We can find a compromise where they still try but perhaps at something easier.
What do they LOVE to do in the pool? Tell me and I can use that as a fun motivator to get them to try. Then after a good effort they get rewarded by doing something they love doing.
Have them wear their “I can do hard things” bracelet to give them courage both in and outside of class. Many of my students think it has magic powers that give them confidence and extra swimming abilities.
Get the “Little Tree” book. It is an excellent story about a scared tree who doesn’t grow because he is too scared to try. Moral of the story…things that seem scary may not be as bad as they seem if you just try. Then you come out the other side bigger, stronger and happier.
Go to community pools. Kids get motivated by watching other kids swim. Doesn’t matter the age of your child and the other children. They can be motivated by watching older and younger children swimming and having fun. They want to do those fun things and are more willing to try in class.
Swim with family members. Bring those family members to class or show them videos of swimming lessons so they know what skills we are working on and can help at the right level. Kids want to be in the pool having fun with their family. Not sitting out being ignored. They want to be celebrated and the center of attention. That’s a huge motivator.
Take videos of lessons, ESPECIALLY of successes. Then show them to your child between lessons to build up their confidence. Make a big deal out of showing those videos to family members and having them applaud your child for their swimming successes.
Have a Swimming Lesson Video Party. Put the videos on the living room TV. Have the whole family gather round and watch the videos with snacks. Cheer for successes. Show progress. Point out what they used to be scared of, which is now easy for them.
Talk with me before class about any concerns or situations that may have arisen between lessons. Sometimes fears creep up between lessons. I won’t know unless you tell me. I can adjust accordingly. The goal is to have a child who loves swimming and swimming lessons. It’s a moving target sometimes, but we can do it as a team.
