How to help terrified child become confident in water

[Sunshine1233]

My son who is nearly 3 is absolutely terrified of swimmmg pools. He will happily play around in his paddling pool with no fear, he jumps into the water, splashes around etc, but when it comes to a proper swimming pool he is petrified.

My husband and I took he swimming last week, there was a shallow pool which was shallow enough for him to stand in, but he would not let go of us and was terrified.

My husband and my dad took him again today and he was still terrified, would not let go of them. He keeps saying 'I'm scared I'm going to fall'

We are going on holiday in September as I'm so worried about how scared of the water he will be. We went away last year and he would only get in the baby pool (about 1 foot deep) and this took a lot of encouraging for this to even happen.

He is due to start swimming lessons soon, but I am also worried he will just refuse to even get in the pool.

Any suggestions how to help him become more confident? Thank you

I am sure this won't be a long term thing, as long as you take his lead. I woukd go to the pool twice a week and see how far he will go with encouragement. Fine if he won't get in, maybe two of you could go and he could watch one of you having fun in the pool. Maybe go at the same time of his friends so he can see them have fun too?

Could you get him some water shoes with rubber soles so it's not so slippery underfoot - that might help ease the fear of falling.

And allow him to sit on the steps and just paddle his feet for a bit. It may well be that you have to go a few times before he'll feel comfortable going into the pool proper.

My DS - just 4 - never liked water. Probably not as terrified as your DS but quite scared.

We’re on holiday at the moment somewhere with a water park and he’s transforming before my eyes.

a few things are helping. The frequent exposure is one. We’re in the water every day.

Second, positive peer pressure! Today was a massive turning point because we ended up in the paddling pool with a family we’ve become friendly with. Their little boy was larking around in the water and DS really got into it and began to copy him. Put his face in the water and everything!

Third, making it enjoyable. We’ve been sticking to the things he likes (jacuzzi, lazy river 😂). You’ll know what’s fun for your DS.

Could you do some play acting with little figures and a pretend pool to try to get out of him what’s scaring him? Then you can try to put in place stuff to help.

PS it’s ok for him not to let go of you! That’s just what he needs at the moment