5 Strategies to Help Fearful Swimmers Overcome Their Swim Lesson Fears

One of the most difficult things for a swim instructor is developing the confidence that you can turn most any fearful swim lesson student into a happy swimmer. No matter how scared the child may appear, you can do it. Here are a few strategies that work to help swimmers overcome thier fears:

1. Take control. Don't allow the parent to take over how you are going to "tackle" the situation. You are the expert. If you take control and do it right, these Fearful Swimmer Techniques WILL WORK!
2. Acknowledge their Fears. Ask the child, "are you scared?" When they respond "yes," tell them "it's okay to be scared." Tell the fearful swimmer that even grown-ups get scared sometimes.
3. Don't force the child in the water right away. Tell the child, "I want you to just sit here with mom/dad and watch. That's all I want you to do. Tell the parent to avoid talking to them about getting in the water right now. Just let the child calm down. Whether the child "normally" loves the water and/or what the child does in their residential or neighborhood pool is irrelevant here. This is a NEW situation and their fears are REAL.
4. Never ask the child "do you want to get in the pool?" The answer will almost always will be "No!"
5. Redirect the child. If you are using an object-oriented approach with floating grocery store toy items, you might say: "Do you like bananas or ice cream cones (assuming you have those props floating in the pool). When they reply "ice cream cones," you confidently and without hesitation use a secure hold bring them right into the water. Continue to redirect their attention, encourage them, and reassure the young swimmer.

These five simple techniques are extremely effective! Yes, you may get some resistance as you are bringing a scared swimmer into the water, but that should be expected. Give it enough time (15-30 seconds) to go get the toy and bring it back before you give up. And never, never, give up! But what I mean is, if the child is still very upset, go back to step #1 and repeat these five steps.

I would estimate this fearful child progression will turn tears into cheers 95% of the time. If you don't have success after the first class, invite mom or dad to join the class with you the next time just until the child gets comfortable with you. Much of their fears can be attributed to stranger anxiety, a new place, etc. Give them the security they need and keep it child focused--don't take the security away.

You can turn tears into cheers! No skill is more important than learning to swim. Whatever you do, don't give up! And the more you do it, the easier it will be. Look at every fearful child as an experience that will help you grow into an even better swimming instructor. Good luck!