Whenever I'm approached by mothers and fathers/carers who are searching for resources to help a child overcome various degrees of fear surrounding water, I ask for info about the child's aquatic experience, or absence of. I also find value in learning what methodologies, rewards, even bribes help motivate that actual child to take part in a program that, at the least, takes them out of their comfortable zone and at the extreme end, can put them in an environment where they are clearly terrified. This process can often be a troublesome one for the kid and the adult (s), but as the adult, they recognize the significance of learning how to beat this fear, so the kid can discover the best way to swim. The adult understands this effort, regardless of the uncomfortable moments for both child and adult which will occur, will help their child develop life abilities that can do the following goals:
1) Waterproof the child and reduce the risk of them drowning or being involved in water related accidents. Learning water safety abilities may prevent others from nautical accidents and deaths.
2) Increase the child's self confidence, as well as their eagerness and ability to problem decipher and overcome future challenges in their lives that take them out of their comfortable zone.
3) Improve their emotional and physical fitness.
4) Increase the diversity of fun pursuits and events that they can enjoy and benefit from.
5) May help them in the future regarding social relationships and educational and career possibilities.
Keeping these points under consideration , during that primary conversation with folks/caregivers about the child, I regularly find myself amazed at learning just how many of those adults, who are obviously making it a concern to enroll their kids in marine programs that may permit their child to enjoy and milk the wide range of emotional, physical and emotional benefits resulting from taking part in nautical activities, yet are unwilling to take those steps for themselves. What those adults don't understand at times is they are their child's most vital role model and that their own fear of water or lack of ability to swim can have an especially profound effect on their child's achievement in water.
1) Waterproof the child and reduce the risk of them drowning or being involved in water related accidents. Learning water safety abilities may prevent others from nautical accidents and deaths.
2) Increase the child's self confidence, as well as their eagerness and ability to problem decipher and overcome future challenges in their lives that take them out of their comfortable zone.
3) Improve their emotional and physical fitness.
4) Increase the diversity of fun pursuits and events that they can enjoy and benefit from.
5) May help them in the future regarding social relationships and educational and career possibilities.
Keeping these points under consideration , during that primary conversation with folks/caregivers about the child, I regularly find myself amazed at learning just how many of those adults, who are obviously making it a concern to enroll their kids in marine programs that may permit their child to enjoy and milk the wide range of emotional, physical and emotional benefits resulting from taking part in nautical activities, yet are unwilling to take those steps for themselves. What those adults don't understand at times is they are their child's most vital role model and that their own fear of water or lack of ability to swim can have an especially profound effect on their child's achievement in water.
About the Author:
Aquatic Therapist, Jeff Krieger, the Founder and Director of the S.O.A.P. (Strategies Overcoming Aquatic Phobias) Program, has a BA in Psychology and a MS in Counseling. He has been an aquatic professional for over thirty years and is recognized as an innovator and expert in helping fearful swimmers overcome their fear of water.