A baby’s ability to go underwater and securely surface again is one of the most important skills they learn during their first swimming lessons. If your infant or toddler has just started swimming, you have likely experienced how they react to getting their head wet. They either love or hate it.
Why Are Some Kids Afraid of Going Underwater?
Because infants have the reflexive ability to hold their breath underwater, submerging might come quite effortlessly to younger babies. Since they don’t know that they should close their eyes when submerged, they soon adapt to the water, making it a natural activity for them to perform.
But, not every child will react this way; some may not like the feeling of having water in their eyes or ears, some may have a negative swimming experience that makes them scared to dunk, and not every child will have taken swimming lessons from an early age and become accustomed to having their eyes and ears dipped.
How Do I Help My Child Overcome the Fear of Going Underwater?
It can be difficult for you both to be at the beach or pool if your young swimmer resists or gets anxious about sticking their head underwater. And if you love to dive and explore the underwater world yourself, you don’t want your child to miss out on the fun on your next beach adventure. There’s a way to help your child beat their fear and embrace the little mermaid vibes – get them a pair of high-quality kids’ goggles and make them comfortable through fun games and activities.
Go for Goggles
Not having access to air, combined with being unable to see, is the number one reason children find underwater scary. Your child has likely had an experience with goggles if they attend swimming lessons. You can introduce goggles at home and help your kid try them if they haven’t yet.
Situations in Which Children’s Goggles Are Recommended
- For beginner swimmers to overcome their fear of going underwater. Using kids’ goggles can help your child feel more comfortable in the water and during their swimming lessons. After kids learn water safety basics and goggles are the only way to get them in the water, they can be a vital safety tool in aiding them overcome their fears.
- For swimmers to become more confident in certain skills. Goggles can still be important once your child gets older and develops their swimming skills, as they can allow them to do that comfortably (front crawl, the butterfly, synchronised and competitive lane swimming are a few examples).
- For kids wearing glasses full time. You can buy prescription goggles via your optician, and they can help your kid swim and watch their teacher simultaneously.
Situations in Which Children’s Goggles Aren’t Recommended
- For children under the age of two. That’s simply because you want them to get used to having water in their eyes and be confident both with and without them. Babies with eye sensitivities to chlorine are an exception.
- For children who can’t keep their goggles on. Wearing goggles should feel easy for kids, and should never be a distraction. In case of distraction, wearing goggles can be dangerous.
How to Choose Kids Goggles?
- Fit. Before a lesson, you should first practice fitting at home. After putting on their goggles, your child should adjust the head or nose strap to position their eyes so that the protective lenses align their eyes. The silicone pads have to be sufficiently snug to keep out water while still being comfortable to sit on. The head strap can be used to alter this. You should tighten the goggles if they come off easily. If they leave marks on the face, it might be too tight, so it can take some experimenting to obtain the right fit. The child should feel comfortable and safe wearing their goggles at all times.
- Features. Opt for goggles for kids that comply with the AU safety standards, and have anti-fog lens, watertight features and adjustable tabs. Children love options in fun bright colours and those featuring their favourite characters like Minnie Mouse, Peppa Pig, PJ Masks and Spiderman.
Fun Games for Overcoming Fear
You can try several activities with your kid to help them overcome fear. Here are my favourites.
Simon Says
Goal: To let children submerge their heads completely in water.
Rules: The minimum number of participants is two. One child assumes the role of Player 1, and so on. It’s best to wait until Simon says something before complying with Simon’s requests.
Trick: To help children become accustomed to you and keep their attention on the game, you should start with the simpler levels in this game. When you aren’t physically forcing them to submerge themselves, they won’t even be aware that they’re doing it subconsciously when you genuinely say, “Simon Says put your head in the water.”
I Spy
Goal: To persuade children to stay submerged and nod their heads to find the object you’re spying on.
Rules: Begin by snooping on objects in the sky, then go closer to them underwater, and then farther and farther away.
Trick: You can buy the kids the toys they want and then give them back if they manage to spy on them. Since children don’t require money, don’t use quarters.
Dive for the Toys
Goal: Encourage children to kick as hard as they can.
Rules: Let kids try to retrieve diving sticks by tossing them under the water.
Trick: Tell children to kick and attempt to swim downward to give them a head start. As you help and guide them back down, place the stick in your palm underwater so they feel as though they can easily reach the bottom.
Noodle Race
Goal: To encourage children to utilise their legs as often as possible.
Rules: Race to the other end of the pool starting at one end.
Trick: Instruct the children to kick vigorously until they cross over. Encourage the youngster to hold the noodle with their arms straight, not bent, if they progress. They’ll kick more forcefully in this way; otherwise, they’ll sink.
