7-year-old and swimming
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Anonymous
| We have challenges with our DD, 7, and swimming. She has a huge fear of putting her face and head underwater. Totally averse to taking classes for this reason. Background: we started swimming lessons at six months! It was great. Carried on with a few classes as a toddler. Didn't do any during the pandemic. Somewhere along the line some anxiety set in. She had swimming daily in last summer's camp but was so anxious about it, it literally kept her up at night. I think some of the instructors just took a hard line and that set her off even more. She loves the beach, water, water parks, and the pool in general. Recently I've taken her to an indoor public pool and we paddle around sans floaties and time how long we can do it, play with boards, balls, etc. She's into it and does want to learn. Now I'm thinking that I should just really try to help her along, though I don't consider myself a great tutor in this subject. Anyone have a suggestion here, or even a program to follow? |
Anonymous
| What worked for us was taking DD to the zoo to look at geese and swans putting their heads under water. Another option might be some tween girls you trust who could hang out with her at the pool. |
Anonymous
| Private lessons. Where are you located? |
Anonymous
| I wouldn't force it. You tried lessons, you tried camps. I would make sure she can doggy paddle the length of the pool or back float. |
Anonymous
We are in the Adams Morgan area. |
Anonymous
|
These videos are helpful: https://www.youtube.com/@AquaMobile
I'd honestly probably shell out for a few private lessons if she can do the basics. Look at SafeSplash in friendship heights |
Anonymous
| My DC was very scared of water and cried the entire 1st class of parent-baby swim group lesson and coach asked us to cancel. Tried again around age 4 with a private lesson swim coach for 2-3 weeks from really scared to love water. Water toys like underwater glider may also help. Then the summer after pandemic with 2-3 weeks private swim lesson coach and learned 3 strokes to swim entire length of pool ( started with group lesson but DC scared of water again after unable to swim for 2 years but didn’t work). It’s possible to go to recenter (year round) or local outdoor swimming pool (usually they open late May) ask to find swim coach. |
Anonymous
| Some private lessons for sure. Don't push it yourself. Many swim instructors have experience with this kind of thing and can slowly bring them around. |
Anonymous
|
My 7 year old has a fear of the water and we just did some private lessons. For whatever reason, the thing that initially helped get them in the water was a walk-in pool. It helped because they could judge the depth of the water and very slowly get deeper into the pool. They went from refusing to even get near a pool to happily swimming (in the shallow end) under water.
Unfortunately, for us they got disoriented one day (thought they were in deeper water than they were) and panicked. It is has been a rough go since that day so I would caution you to find an instructor that really, really understands the level of anxiety your child has around water. |
Anonymous
Goldfish swim school. Or private swim instructor. If you don’t teach a child to swim before age 5, fear is definitely a factor. You need to get her into swim lessons stat. |
Anonymous
Group classes and private lessons in friendship heights http://www.annsaquatics.com/class-description.html Or use Swimply to find a pool for private lessons from Ann |
Anonymous
I'd have her swim with adventurous friends as much as possible. The less she thinks about her anxiety and the more peer pressure the better. Once she starts to make progress, start private swim lessons. |
Anonymous
| Goldfish swim school did a really nice job on this for my 7yo DS. It’s a bit of shlep from Adams Morgan but straight up 16, to Colesville Road and Columbia pike should take about 30min… |
Anonymous
| +1 for Goldfish, which worked wonders on DS(6) who was petrified of putting his face in the water for the longest time. I think it helps that a) the pool is really warm, and b) his class only had one other kid to an instructor. It helped him to see "hey, the kid next to me can do it, so maybe I can too." |
Anonymous
| Do you have a bathtub she can lay in and practice in? |