Any ideas on the best time to introduce a child to water and the best way to do it without frightening them?
Question:
Is there any particular time when children can develop a fear of water (age, etc.)
Answers:
I don't know about developing a fear of water, but I do know that babies under the age of one have an automatic reaction to hold their breath when they go under water so if you can start them swimming before age one then they are more likely to learn holding their breath.
Also if you are calm when taking them swimming they worry less themselves.
I think most public swimming pools have swimming classes for babies and toddlers to learn with their parents.
The best time to introduse a child to water is at an early stage, don't take the child straight in beacuse this may overwelm it, make sure you are shallow at first and let the child become used to the water at there own pace, you will notice when the are enjoying it when they begin to splash and try to exsplore.
my old dad just threw me in and i did the same for my son. they swim good after they hit bottom.
The younger the better, you should take them into the water while holding them and gently put water on their face with your hand so they realize it won't hurt, then when they are having fun hold their nose and mouth shut and gently go under with them in your arms for very short stints.
Do it before they understand fear, and if your holding them they have the security of your arms. After you get them over that you can teach them how to hold their breath and plug their own noses and close their mouth.
As early as possible when they are a baby. If you have one check out the classes at your local YMCA. They have like "mommy (or daddy) and me" classes where you go in the water with them and the teacher tells you what to do to get the children accustomed to the water.
The younger the are the better, we gave my baby boy from a couple of days old, you don't use soap everytime because even sensitive soap is not good for a baby. This was used as a 'fun' ritual for him. He now can't wait to jump in the water (he is 16 months), we also started to take him swimming, this will help him view water as more than just bath time.
You also asked about holding their breath...well there is a way to teach them.(don't know if you have the courage to do it) but when they are in their first weeks if you put them in water they will hold their breath and start to swim, this will undoubtledly be much harder with an older baby. If you choose the other alternative is to put water on their head slowly with a smile on your face, they will see your reaction and react accordingly.
Good luck
You shouldn't take a baby into a pool before they have had their immunisation jags. They you can gradually take them in. Most leisure centre and pools have an infant area. Water isn't too deep. I would not build my hopes up for this great big baby Day out to the pool. The baby will probably cry but don't leave immediately because they will recognise this with being brought out. Just be patient. Make it a regular thing. Once/twice weekly and make it fun. Don't be anxious or don't show that you are anxious. Show the child smiling faces and laughing and giggling.If the child sees you having fun then they should have fun too. My middle child was scared even having a bath from birth....Don't know where they get this from. My middle child is now 10 and loves to swim. But learning to swim at a young age is a great thing and I would advise it!
I would say as early as possible, first make bath times at home fun, splashing water gently over body and face, then introduce them to the baby pool if there is one, let the child get used to water, then onto shallow end of the pool. Babies seem to have an inate ability to breathe underwater, from early on, though i'm no expert. I developed a fear of water early on because i was pushed in a pool, so i would say that teaching a child how to swim from a baby can only be a good thing.
my grandson as been taken to the pool since he was three months old the baby swimming teacher told my daughter to take him in for only ten minutes at a time for 1st month then build time up slowly he is now 22 months old,loves water will jump in from the side and go to bottom of pool he waddles his arms and legs and can keep a float the teacher said to take him for lessons when he reaches age of three because they have a better understanding of instructions he now goes twice a week to the baby water aerobics..so see if you have one at your local pool.. oh and you don't have to teach him/her how to hold there breath when there babies he/she will automatically do it if he/she is a little older once they are used to been in water get them to just put their face in while you hold them and eventually they will get used to it ...good luck hope they enjoy it...
I'd say the sooner the better, I took both my children swimming as soon as they had had all of thier immunisations and they both adore going swimming. Not sure on the fear of water thing, i presume that something has to happen to a person to make them scared of water, but i really don't know. As long as the child feels safe in the water then you should have no problems, although that may be a problem at the moment as with the school hols swimming baths tend to be quite busy, maybe go really early or try and find a pool that is not too busy.
Yes just throw it in , Water is not harmfull
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