Helping Your Child Adjust to Water

Summer is just around the corner. It is going to be hot and your family is going to want to swim in a pool. Some children will take to the water like ducks, but others will be a bit apprehensive. Here are some tips to help your skittish children enjoy the water.

The worst mistake that parents make is to "make" their children enjoy the water before they are ready. Don't push your child. when your child is afraid of the water, don't try to cajole him/her to get into the water. Your child can actually have fun by being sprinkled or just soaking his/her feet into a small pool. Validate your child's fear. Your child will enter the water when he/she feels most comfortable. Your child might find a way to have fun without getting into the water at all. If he or she is happy with his decision to stay out of the water, then, why can't you be?

The child might want to play in water, yet feel uncomfortable with his/her body or head being in the water. Allow the child to use buckets and cups to pour water from one vessel to another. A water sprinkler is also a good idea because the child can decide how much water they will enjoy at a given time. A water table can be set up and children can use all sorts of toys and cooking utensils to play in the water. Some favorites include: buckets, cups, spoons, trucks, dolls, animals and straws. Your child has a great imagination. Give them a few toys and water and they will have fun.

If possible, find a one to two foot baby pool for the smaller children. often children are not frightened by water that is not very deep. they feel more secure and are able to enjoy the water. Just make sure that older children aren't excessively splashing the shy children. A surprising face full of water will not help anyone enjoy their water experience.

Let's say that your child has decided to enter the water, but you know that he/she is still quite apprehensive. Enjoy the water with your child. Sometimes it is best just to hold your child in the water. You can walk slowly and just relax with the child. Many children are most secure when they are in their parents' arms. If your child is not in your arms, allow your child to always keep contact with the side of the pool for added security. Don't allow other adults and/or children to bully your child because they feel insecure in the water.

Flotation devices such as life jackets, rafts, inner tubes and such are helpful objects. Don't make your child feel small or ashamed about needing such devices. It is a good idea to make a game around such objects so that the child does
not feel embarrassed about using the devices. Just remember that the game can not contain dunking or tipping.

Think of water games that don't involve body immersion. There are many water games that you can play that do not involve everyone submerging their entire body in water. Popular games include: "Marco Polo,"(blindfolded water tag), walking water races, Follow the leader, water exercises, and even water ball (the ball floats on the top of the water). Water volleyball is also a good game to play. Even in games where most of the children dive and dunk, the shy child can do the ring tossing, time keeping or dive judging. Put a small basketball hoop above the water. children can try to shoot a nurf ball into the hoop. Play "Simon Says." this is a good game to play in the water. Children get moving and will enjoy the water, especially if some of the options are: "Run in place," "touch your elbow to your knee," and "scratch your left foot." You can also divide into teams and have relay races in the water. Since water is more difficult to run or walk in, many activities can be seen as difficult or different when done in water.

Give raft and noodle rides. Adults and older children can give the younger children raft, inner tube and noodle rides. The children can skid quickly across the water without tipping over. Remember to put your sun block on this summer and observe all rules of water safety. Water can be fun for all, if you think outside the box so that water enthusiasts and those who might be a bit more apprehensive will both enjoy their experience.