swimming

[ShellyRF]

My almost 5 year old is scared to death to go under the water at the pool. She loves to swim but won't put her head in the water. Does anyone have any tips to help? I want her to be a good swimmer and not be so scared. Should I try to get her to go under or should I leave her alone? Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!!

[AnnW]

Leave her alone. She can still work on using "good" arms and legs while keeping her head up. The most important things at this age, imho, is that she is comfortable in the water and not afraid of it, so if swimming with her head above the water helps her feel safe and comfortable, then let her. She is only 4, you will have plenty of time to work on strokes and and strenght later....work now on comfort and safety.
Have fun!

[Peggy/MI]

My son wasthe same way in water at that age. We encouraged him to swim with his head above water and to be comfortable in the water. One day we bought him some goggles so he could look under water and little by little he stated to go under the water. He's 12 now and loves to swim under water.

[kat]

I agree with Ann, don't force it. If she's in the water and comfotable now, I bet the other will come. But if you scare her by forcing something she's not ready for, she may not get back in the water.

When ds was young we did 2 years of swimming lessons, but he did not learn to swim. Dh and I tried to teach him. His older brother tried to teach him. He just was not comfortable with anyone. Finally while at my sisters, in the pool with her and nephew, she was able to get him to swim. Now he dives and flips and scares the pants off me.

[Diane]

I agree with not rushing her. As a child I was scared to death of the water. It wasn't until I was married with children and we had a pool installed in our back yard that I finally learned how to swim. It took ME a while to feel comfortable enough in the water before I could/would put my head under the water... LOL :biglaugh: If you force her you'll only scare her more... be patient and give her the time she needs. When she's comfortable... she'll do it on her own. :)

Diane... :wave:

[jwmcdaniel]

ShellyRF -- I'm right there with you. I have a 5 yr old daughter who does not put her face in either. ugh.... and it is very frustrating, but I'm trying to let it go and let her to it at her own pace.

I'm happy to read all the advice posted --- we too, did/are doing swim lessons but she's not progressing because she doesn't like to put her face in the water.
It's hard, because all of her friends are swimming around here like fish. Maybe this will be the year she takes a cue from them and joins in...... who knows?!

Jennifer

[MaryL]

I also agree not to force her. One " trick" that helped our ds to get his face wet, was when we asked him to try to get his ear wet....just a little drop! He did it...big applause LOL!!!! Well, wouldn't you know that he could also get his other ear wet??!! WOW! We just made a fun game out of it....and he was tickled with the fun attention! (We went on to chin, nose, lips, etc.) We have friends who have a big pool, where we swim almost daily. My oldest ds is an "ok" swimmer...but I still make him wear either a "bubble belt" or a life jacket, just to be on the safe side. Youngest ds has toooo much confidence, we call him "kamikazee man" because he just jumps in...no matter how deep the water is! He definately wears a floatation device...just so I don't have a heart attack!!! LOL

[Linda/NE]

My dd was the same way last summer, which is why we didn't put her in swimming lessons. This year it took a while, but she will now go underwater. I think it just took an extra year for her to feel comfortable with it.

[RCT]

I agree too, don't rush it....its great that she like to swim regardless of her face....:lol: just got my dd over the fear of the pool.....:lol: it will come in time...I didn't care for the water on my face as a child either, and I later put in four years on the swim team....go figure...she will do it when she is ready....