How to Develop Your Child’s Engagement in Swimming and Prevent Fear of Water
It’s innate for kids to have a fear or feel scared of something. And one of the many possibilities is a fear of water. Most kids don’t like to get their eyes wet, get their face run by water, put their head beneath the water, and so on, which might explain why most children hate bathtime and jumping in the pool.
While some parents think that it’s normal for their kids to have a fear of water, it might somehow lead to a more serious matter. Parents must understand that their kids’ simple fear of water might turn into an extreme phobia if children won’t be provided with appropriate guidance and knowledge.
If you’re a parent and you’re seeing signs that your child is scared of water, know that you need to take certain precautions and help your kids overcome their fears as soon as you can. It’s because it might also affect their perspective towards the idea of learning how to swim, which is a key ingredient for survival and safety.
With that, we’ll stop beating around the bush and start handing down these simple but beneficial tips to boost your child’s engagement in swimming and avoid developing a fear of water. So, look no further and continue reading the next few pages instead.
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Provide them with fancy swimming essentials
Since kids love everything decorative and colourful, you may start developing their love for swimming and other water activities by providing them with fancy swimming essentials. You may start investing in swimming goggles, proper swimwear, kickboards, floaties, pool noodles, swimming caps, and you may also want to get them earplugs to prevent the risks of ear irritation.
If your kids would disagree on the idea of using a swimming cap, then you might want to buy them or the whole family custom-made caps. Wearing custom-made caps may help boost your kids’ willingness to wear a swimming cap since most children also love things that are unique and customised for them.
When getting custom-made caps, you can have your child’s favourite cartoon character, their name, their animated photo, or anything that’s fancy to be printed on the swimming cap. What’s also good about opting for a custom-made cap is you can get it in size that perfectly fits the head, choose the type of material to use, and select your desired colour.
- Play some fun water activities with your kids
Next on the list, we have the concept of playing fun water activities with your children whenever you have time. As simple as including rubber duckies and tiny boat floaties in the tub during their bathtime would do.
If you’re creative enough, you can ask your child to do a DIY boat-making contest with you, and see which one will float longer. How about playing water guns in two teams? Or catching fake fishies in the pool tournament home edition?
- Make them practice jumping in and out of the swimming pool
You might want to buy the idea of practising your kids to jump in and out of the pool just like how most parents introduce water or swimming pool to their kids. At first, they might find it scary and they’ll say no again, and again.
But as you jump in the pool first, you can start convincing them to feel comfortable jumping in the water. You may also tell them that you’ll catch them as they jump or dive in.
And from time to time, you’ll see how this idea could create a positive impact on your kids’ perspective over jumping in the swimming pool.
- Make them realise that water isn’t something to fear about being around and in the water
The last easy tips we have on the list is making your kids understand that there’s nothing to fear about being around and in the water. As a parent, it’s your responsibility to encourage your child to do something or to make them overcome their fears over something.
With that, explain to them the various benefits of being able to swim at an early age. Let them know that swimming isn’t only a simple recreational activity but can be used to ensure their safety and survival.
AUTHOR BIO: 
Kath Ramirez embraced the dream of being a writer since she was in 4th grade. She took it seriously and she now writes for Swimprint Custom Swim Caps, a respected company who provides custom swimming needs in the United Kingdom. Aside from writing, Kath also keeps herself busy spending time with her family, cherishing the role of a dog mum, reading random books, and diving into the world of photography. She’s not even a pro at whatever she’s engaged in right now, but one thing she knows, she’s happy and that’s more than enough.
