What If My Child Cries?

WHAT TO DO WHEN YOUR CHILD IS CRYING DURING SWIM LESSONS

Crying children at the swim school is a daily occurrence. There are many different reasons why a child might cry. It may be a child’s first time away from mom or dad, or it may be a child’s first visit to to the pool. Children even cry because they do not want to get out of the pool. Whatever the reason we are here to help you.

If your child is apprehensive at first, please do not feel embarrassed or unwilling to follow through with your decision to have your child taught the life-saving skill of swimming. Also, if your child is under the age of three, they must start in a parent and me class with you first.

Please remember, it is more traumatic to drown than it is to learn how to swim. In fact, we see that the children who at first were apprehensive, are the ones who truly learn to love the water and their lesson. It is a huge boost to their self-confidence.

HAND YOUR CHILD TO THE TEACHER 

Please do not ask your child “Do you want to go swimming?” It is more effective to say, “Today we are going swimming.” It is best not to give them a reason to say no. If your child is fussing prior to swim lessons, walk your child out on the deck and hand them to the teacher. Then walk back into the clubhouse while expressing a happy and pleasant expression on your face. NEVER make a teacher chase your child or pry your child off of your leg. This will make the child try to fight more. By handing your child over to the teacher, you are telling them that you trust the teacher. The vote of confidence will help your child gain trust in the teacher more quickly. While-handing your child to the instructor, please avoid saying things like “Don't be scared,” or “you don’t need to be afraid” using words like “scary” and “afraid” will give them a reason to be just that.

When your child is in swim lessons sometimes they will realize you are not with them and burst into tears in a flurry of separation anxiety. If the parent is hovering over the side of the pool with tears in their eye's and a look of terror, it's almost inevitable that the child will lunge for the wall crying for their parent. This is a dramatic case of a parent equally anxious about their child in swimming lessons and just as scared as they are. Because you are the child’s parent they will gravitate to your mood and emotions and respond accordingly. Break eye contact or do something else.

Instead, stand confidently providing smiles, thumbs ups, waves and signs of encouragement whenever possible. Or read a book and enjoy the brief downtime you’ll have while your child is playfully and happily (behind those tears) participating in their lesson. The instructor may even ask you to wait out of sight and it is important to listen to the advice and allow them to do their job. After all, as much as you may think your child is the only one to cry during the new experience we assure you, they are not. Your instructor is fully trained and is counting on you to help them out. 

You should never be afraid to ask your instructor questions about anything you may not understand. They will be glad to answer them all, as many as you have. Your child will be swimming safely in no time!