Crying During the Swimming Lesson
Learning to swim should be a positive experience for both parent and child. No child should be subjected to a fearful or intimidating environment when learning to swim. Aggressively forcing children to perform learn to swim activities while they are crying and in distress is totally inappropriate.
Crying during the swimming lesson can be very worrying and stressful for the parent. In fact, it can even turn you off swimming with your child altogether. If you are in this situation let us reassure you that if you persevere in a loving caring environment, and learn to respond to your child’s cues, then your child will soon be swimming happily and confidently.
Crying Baby
Babies communicate their needs and problems through crying. In some instances, babies become tired, hungry even or cold during the swimming lesson. The astute parent will soon learn to recognise the different types of communicative cries given by their baby. Once you recognise what is upsetting your baby it is easier to rectify the problem.
Tips for a successful swimming lesson
- Choose an appropriate time to swim with your baby
- If your baby is hungry or tired then the lesson will be more difficult
- Ensure that you are calm and relaxed before the lesson – avoid rushing
- If you are nervous or stressed then your baby will be too!
- Hold the baby softly and let them feel the buoyancy
- Once baby experiences floating they become more relaxed in the water
Crying Toddler
As your child grows with age they begin to form their own opinions, ideas and fears. Very often toddlers develop a fear of the water particularly if they haven’t had early exposure. Sometimes children may just simply not be in the mood to participate.
If you have a scared or uncooperative toddler it is important not to force or hurry them. This will only make it more difficult the next time you come to the pool. You don’t want to get yourself into a situation where your child is distressed before even entering the pool.
Tips for a successful swimming lesson
- Arrive early so your toddler can watch other children enjoying their lessons
- Give your child adequate time to relax and warm up on the ledge
- Set small realistic goals for your child
- Use positives praise to encourage desired behaviours
Settle Your Child in the Pool
At Laurie Lawrence Swim School we are lucky to have our specifically designed teaching ledges. The ledge is a perfect spot for your child to relax and be in control. Very often children become scared or distressed when they are not in control. We encourage parents to use the ledge to give their child time out and relax whenever they become distressed during the lesson.
Please don’t feel that you have to continue with the lesson’s activities if your child is stressed. While we don’t want you to force your child, we do encourage parents to settle their child while staying in the pool. This is where the ledge becomes very handy. Try to relax your child using calm communication, stimulation and distraction. If you get out of the pool when your child cries then they will soon associate getting out of the pool with crying.