I am meeting many wonderful Swimming Specialists on-line. Here is what
Victoria Campbell writes to help parents of crying kids:
"First Days of Swim lessons are often filled with tears. Even my returning little ones who loved the water last year typically start off the new season with a day or so of tears.
For new students tears usually fall into 3 categories. First the little
one who would just as easily start to cry if left in the church nursery
is reacting to being handed by their Momma or Daddy to an unfamiliar
person. Second, starting lessons is an introduction into a whole new
experience with the water. Some have only been in the bath before. Some
have been in the pool but never had their face in the water. Finally,
tears are fairly common in the older child who has gotten comfortable
wearing their floaties or staying only on the pool steps. Many of these
children are cautious by nature and have become somewhat
reluctant/apprehensive regarding the idea of learning to swim.
Seeing a child cry during lessons can be one of the most difficult parts
of the process. As a parent who loves their child that is completely
understandable. Here's a few things to help both you and your child
through this time. First remember your child's cries are caused by many
different things. It is still the way that they communicate when they
are frustrated, angry, hungry, tired etc. Try to be encouraging and
positive before during and after your child’s lesson. If your child
brings up swimming for example saying , “No swimming lesson Mommy,” you
can either gently redirect him or her to something else or say something
like Mommy is so proud of how you are learning to swim like a fish.
Don’t get caught up in a discussion trying to rationalize with him…it
won’t work! Also don’t apologize for making her go to lessons or say, “I
know this is scary.” This only focuses both of your attention on the
negative and will promote more tears. During lessons, your child wants
to see your confident smile when she looks at you on the pool deck. Let
your child see that you feel good about what is going on in the lesson
and your pride at how hard she is working. Clapping and smiling works
great! Once the lesson is over praise him for his hard work is a must.
Say, “Daddy saw you use your arms and legs to get to the steps. Wow, you
went underwater just like Nemo or Ariel!”
As the days pass,
you will be amazed by your child’s accomplishments. Most parents will
see a decrease in their child’s level of crying and in some cases it
will stop as the child feels the sense of accomplishment and revels in
the praise he or she is receiving. It is this transition from tears to
cheers that I find most satisfying as an instructor. I accept that some
tears are part of the process but when a child shows up happy and ready
to swim truly enjoying the experience this is as good as it gets!
Nevertheless even if your child does continue to complain throughout the
lessons, don’t despair. He or she is learning a valuable, potentially
lifesaving skill and by next year that child will probably be done with
tears. Some children also cry at every lesson but don't cry at all in
the pool with Mom or Dad. Every child is unique.
As hard as
these days seem, you will look back and be so grateful having made the
commitment to giving your child this instruction at an early age. And
sadly for his or her instructor the day comes when lessons will not even
be a memory and your child will only remember the joy that comes with
swimming."