What to do with a nearly 4 yr old who's afraid to get his face wet or go under in the pool?

Question

He loves being in the bath (except for hair washing and face washing) and talks a lot about wanting to swim, but he gets really afraid in swim class (now over) and when I'm in the pool with him.

Answer 1

Children can be afraid of putting their face in the water but all is not lost.

Try the penny or adjusted for inflation those new presidents $1 and put it in the pool at a depth he would have to put his face in to get.  Toys that sink work well too.

Getting him to relax in the water by seeing him float on his back.  You help here by supporting his buttox as he lays back and relaxes.  I never had a kid that I taught to swim that could not float on his back unassisted.

Eventually, with lots of play you can get over this.

Good luck and you're welcome!!

Answer 2

Hmm he sounds a lot like me only I didn't put my face into the water until I was eight.

One thing that helped me was at swim lessons. They had plastic swim toys and my favorite was one that looked like a crab. In order to get me to swim, they would make me go after the crab by holding it a few feet in front of me and I would have to swim to them to get it.

I think the best thing, though, is time. Don't force him to put his face in the water or to go under. Let him do it at his pace. Forcing him will merely make him afraid of the water.

Try to make it seem fun! Does he like getting quarters? Maybe, on a step, you can put a quarter or two there and tell him that he can keep it if he goes under water to get it. Just make up games and get him comfortable with the water.

Maybe he doesn't like swimming because he gets water in his eyes. Get him a pair of kiddie goggles and see if that helps any.

Don't give up though! Just because he doesn't like getting his face wet now doesn't mean he's going to hate it forever. Like stated, I didn't put my face in the water until I was eight and now I absolutely ADORE swimming and being underwater!

Good luck!

Answer 3

my son was like that, put some water on his face a bit when you go in the pool, and after a while he or she will get use too it. but dont dunk them that will make it worse. betty.

Answer 4

Let him pick out a 'floaty' device, and tell him that he can only use it in the pool.  It may also help to buy 2 and bring along a buddy.  Your son probably will not be able to resist seeing his friend having fun without him.

Once you get him in the water, make a show of putting your face in the water and blowing bubbles, making funny noises and playing peek-a-boo to reduce his fear of getting his face wet.  Gently splash him and let him splash you back.

Helping him see that the pool is fun should ease the way out of the floaty when it comes time for swim lessons again.