Fear of the water can be a big barrier to enjoying a fun yet important activity. While it is understandable to be worried about your child’s safety in the pool, swim lessons can help them become more confident and relaxed when they go near or in the water. Here are some tips on how you can make swim lessons an enjoyable experience for your child who may be anxious about swimming.

Choose the right Facility:

Finding an experienced and patient instructor is key when looking for someone to help your child learn how to swim. Pelican Bay Aquatic Center’s instructors are trained to teach children with swim anxiety so your child feels safe and comfortable. Be sure to ask potential instructors about their curriculums and approach so you have a better idea of what kind of instruction they will provide.

Keep it short and sweet:

Swim lessons should not last too long so children do not get overwhelmed or bored quickly. We know this at Pelican Bay! Our lessons are 30-minute sessions. This way, they can stay engaged throughout the lesson.

Make it fun:

When teaching skills like floating or paddling, having fun games or activities on hand can help keep your child motivated while teaching them important safety information that could save their life if needed. Simple games such as “Follow the Leader” or “Simon Says” are great ways to make learning these skills enjoyable, so your child won’t dread going into the pool every week!

Provide reinforcement:

Swim lessons should be about skills and recognizing progress to provide emotional support at all times during the learning process. As a parent, you should note any successes throughout each lesson, whether small or large, and remind them how proud you are; this will encourage them to continue making progress while having fun!

By combining patience, reassurance, and instruction from a skilled teacher, helping your child overcome their swim anxiety becomes a much easier task! Head to our website to sign up for lessons today!