Helping 4 year old with fear of water

[Flowerlady2025]

Hello, I’m looking for some advice or tips to help my just turned 4 year old with his fear of getting in water/swimming pools.
somewhere along the line he got very nervous in a pool (I put it down to one bad experience he had but can’t be sure). I have been trying to take him regularly and keep it relaxed/fun as I can but it took several weeks of just sitting by the side of the pool and watching others before he would even get in the water.
we are at the stage where he will go in the pool but clings to me and is very nervous, and if any water splashes on his face he freaks out! I want to help him learn to be confident in the water and be at a place where he can learn to swim, but it feels so far off and like we are stuck where we are. We are going on holiday in July and I would love for him to be able to play in the water with us and have a nice time.
If anyone has any experience of something similar, I would appreciate any tips. Thanks

You can’t force it. Go at his pace or you’ll make it a whole lot worse. Let him get comfortable with a stage before going further. Can you use play at bath time to make the face splashing less scary? Get him to gently splash you then ask him if you can splash his tummy, his arm, his toes, fingers etc. if he gets distressed or says no, stop. This will likely take some time to get him more comfortable with water and he may never be fully confident. Take the July holiday deadline out of it.

I would suggest you take it very slow. Keep holding him in pool. Sing, play, watch other kids with him. Floating toys in swimming pool that you can hold him while he chases and catches them. Relaxing your hold gradually but not letting him go. Also making sure he understand he can stand up in shallow end.
In terms of water in his face, hold that off. But if he is not freaked out, do the splashing on face in bath tub. In time start commenting on how splashing water on face in bath tub is the same as in pool. Play swimming pool games in bath tub too.
At 4 he is still very young so don't get frustrated. There is lots of time for him to overcome this. Just take it very slooow. One day it will click

Can you go with friends so he has someone to play with/splash with as well as you in the water? Has he got goggles?

Have a look at things like Water Babies classes - my friend is a teacher and it's all about confidence in water and teaching you as well because you're in there with them.