From Fear to Fun: It’s Not That Deep!
Are you tired of the dreaded swim lesson day? The one where coaxing your keiki into the pool feels like pulling teeth? It’s time to turn that fear-inducing experience into a fun-filled adventure. In this article, we’ll explore practical tips to help transform your keiki’s relationship with the water. From understanding your fear to building confidence and improving swimming skills, we’ll show you how to make a splash without reservations. Dive in and discover how it’s not as deep as you think!
Understanding their Fear of Water
Many children fear the water for various reasons, whether it be a lack of familiarity, a past negative experience, or a general unease with the unknown. Understanding where this fear stems from can help you address it effectively and turn water activities into fun experiences for your keiki. By recognizing and acknowledging these fears, you can begin the process of overcoming them and approaching the water with confidence and excitement. Let’s explore how understanding your fear of water is the first step towards making it a source of joy and enjoyment for your family.
In life, remember, at the end of the day, it’s not that deep. The fear of water, like any fear, can seem overwhelming at first, but with time, patience, and practice, it can be conquered. Sometimes, we build up barriers in our minds that make things seem scarier than they actually are. By taking small steps and gradually exposing yourself to water activities, you can slowly chip away at that fear and replace it with excitement and enjoyment. So, let’s dive in and explore how to shift the perspective from fear to fun in the water.
Building Confidence in the Pool
One way to build confidence in the pool is to start by getting comfortable with play in the water. Coach Jenny uses toys that are fun for kids to focus on (Hence the 100 rubber duckies at every lesson when they first start!) Spend some time walking around with Jenny or on the mat, letting children feel the water against their skin and getting used to the sensation is a great starting point. Gradually we work our way deeper (or so they think) with monkey crawl around the pool! As your child becomes more at ease Coach Jenny often initiates them trusting her and watch as they reach for her coming to her away and off the wall, remembering that she tells your child that they are in fact in control of their movements and can always take a break if needed. The next phase is to practice floating on their back or stomach, allowing time to relax and trust in the water’s buoyancy.
As your child begins to feel more confident, Coach Jenny challenges them to try new skills, such as kicking, blowing bubbles, or gliding through the water with “fishy arms”. We always start with simple movements and gradually build up to more advanced techniques. Celebrate small victories along the way, whether it’s successfully completing a stroke or spending more time in the water than they did before (or even just entering the pool without tears). These are all wins! Each little accomplishment will boost you and your child’s confidence in the process.
By taking gradual steps and pushing your child outside of his/her comfort zone, you will soon find that the fear of water is replaced by a sense of accomplishment and joy. Remember, every great swimmer started somewhere, and with dedication and practice, swimming skills will improve.
In conclusion, transforming your keiki’s fear of water into a fun-filled experience is achievable with the right strategies. By understanding the fear of water, building confidence, improving swimming skills, and ultimately enjoying the water without reservations, you can make a splash in swim lessons (literally!). Remember, it’s not that deep – dive on in and have fun! So, take the plunge and watch your keiki blossom into a confident swimmer. As Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “You must do the thing you think you cannot do.”
It’s not that deep.
- When we conquer fears we feel alive.
- We feel capable and confident.
- Swim lessons are a tool to learning water confidence.
- It’s natural for your child to feel scared.
- My approach is different because I start slower and challenge each child out of their comfort zone.
- The process starts with them learning to trust me in the moment.
- I use distractions, such as rubber duckies, to help keiki find swimming safe and fun.
I know this is my purpose because I love to see the smiling faces, once kids overcome their fears. Often the more scared the kid, the more empathy I give to that child. As we approach our fears we have a choice of facing our fear or avoiding our fear. Swim lessons is not a race, itsYou’ll often hear me say it’s not that deep. Take that phrase and think again about it. It’s not that deep, this applies to everything in life. It might look deep but really it’s not that deep.
Things I’ve learned from teaching swim lessons:
When we conquer fears, we feel alive, capable, and confident. Swim lessons serve as a gateway to water confidence. It’s completely natural for your child to feel scared, but my approach is unique as I start slow and gently challenge each child out of their comfort zone. The process begins with building trust in the moment. I use playful distractions like rubber duckies to make swimming feel safe and enjoyable. Witnessing the joy on children’s faces when they overcome their fears confirms that this is my purpose. I have a special empathy for the most fearful children, guiding them with care and understanding.
Approaching our fears presents us with a choice: face them or avoid them. Whenever you hear me say, “It’s not that deep,” take a moment to reconsider. This phrase applies to all aspects of life – things may seem daunting, but in reality, they’re not as overwhelming as they appear.
Here are some key lessons I’ve learned along the way:
- Always end on a positive note, never a negative one.
- Offer praise generously.
- Provide encouragement consistently.
- Guide with a gentle touch.
- Trust in the process.
Remember, happy swimming awaits on the other side of fear. Dive in, embrace the journey, and watch your child blossom into a confident swimmer. As Eleanor Roosevelt wisely said, “You must do the thing you think you cannot do.” Trust in the process, celebrate the small victories, and enjoy the transformation from fear to fun in the water. Happy Swimming!
-Coach Jenny Hansen
