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Understandable action - or physical assault on a 5yo?

34 replies

Orinoco · 01/07/2006 19:38

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saltire · 01/07/2006 21:23

This happened to me when i was 10. I'm 35 now and have a complete phobia of water, i even shower with the door open, and have a towel hanging over the shower rail cos i get panic attacks with water on my face
I don't think you are over reacting at all

nooka · 01/07/2006 21:33

I don't think it is something you should take to the police, but I do think you should complain, and definitely change teacher. (this is unless she really held/forced them under in anger) I am always incredibly impressed at how my children's swimming teacher is with the one very nervous child in their class. His progress is incredibly slow, and you can see how frustrated she gets, but she is unfailingly kind (although firm) with him. To be honest I'm not quite sure why his parents make him do it, as he obviously hates the lessons. After your dd's experience I would think about taking a break, or if you really want her to swim now, try finding some individual tuition for a while. Otherwise can you not find somewhere which only has shallow water to take both children? I have been taking both of mine for a few years now, to a couple of pools with designated shallow pools for small kids and so long as they are well in their depth, having two littlies isn't too bad (just keep the sessions short). I think that it is really important they think of playing in water as fun, otherwise they may think of their lessons as a trial that you are putting them through. My little girl also hated to get her face wet when we started classes about a year ago, and the teacher recommended spashing her face and practicing blowing bubbles in the bath to help her feel more confident, and it seems to have slowly done the trick. She's now six, and we can happily go to the swimming pool and play without me feeling that she is clinging on like a limpet. Good luck with the next teacher!

Orinoco · 01/07/2006 21:59

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nooka · 01/07/2006 22:12

Where do you live Orinoco? Most leisure pools I've tried have family pools, we use either one which has a family splash session, where they raise the whole floor of the pool and provide lots of floats, or one with a sort of beach type affair, with a gently shelving approach, so if you want you can just paddle. I know it is hard with two - mine are 16mths apart, and my dh has a perforated ear drum, so I have always had to take them on my own. My older child has always been very confident in water, so when they were little I would have to unprise dd every now and then to rescue ds. Indeed one time he jumped into the deep end of one pool we went to, and the first I knew about it was when the siren went off and I saw him in the lifeguards arms! Still, they fished him out so quickly he wasn't at all scared (in fact he was convinced he was swimming!). That was the point when I decide I really needed to take them to lessons!

warthog · 01/07/2006 22:20

that is absolutely disgusting. totally and utterly unacceptable. i would definitely write a strong letter of complaint and take her elsewhere. i don't think there is ANY circumstance whereby it's ok for a teacher to force a student underwater.

Angeliz · 01/07/2006 22:22

Stupid teacher!
I complained for less when my dd started swimming lessons. Their teacher constantly told them they were doing things wrong (at 4!!!) and i5t was all so negative so i told her teacher (it was a School thing) that i wasn't happy and they now have a lovely swimming teacher and the original one who i have watched since seems to have a different attitude.

My Mam took dd to the beach today with her cousins and she said there was a Dad there with a 4 year old girl and he walked right out into the sea with her till it was up to his chest and then proceeded to dunk her in the F**NG North SEA!!! Stupid wanker!
The little girl screamed and everyone was horrified my Mam said but it appears noone intervened!!

eidsvold · 02/07/2006 04:30

absolutely not on - I think learning to swim is an essential skill - especially if one lives on an island ( for our dds it is a given - they will learn to swim - very important to us living in Aus) My dd1 is a water baby and just loves the water has no fear - pushes away from her swim teacher and goes under etc.... BUT she has a fab teacher and one on one lessons.... no worries there trust her implicitly. Dd2 has taken a lot longer to get used to the water and had a teacher done that to her - I would have taken her straight out then and there and let her know it is not on.....

Like others - my mum nearly drowned as a child and has never swum since and cannot swim.... sad.

Definitely take her out - find a teacher who knows what it is like to teach children who can be afraid of things etc.... and complain loudly to centre, swim school and association.

KateF · 02/07/2006 08:26

You do not get"frustrated" with 5 year olds if you are a professional teacher. Imagine if every Nursery/Reception teacher lost their rag when a child frustrated them. I'm afraid mine would not be going back. How awful for your dd

Orinoco · 03/07/2006 21:58

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