Month: April 2020

When it comes to encouraging a child to swim, they first need to stop being afraid of water. It would surprise you, but many kids are.

Then, you need to think “where can I take my kid to private swimming lessons near me?” You should also inquire about how long the swimming lessons are and how many swimming lessons it will take for your child to learn to swim. Although there are so many considerations, there are a couple of tips and tricks on motivating your child to start swimming.

Why doesn’t my child want to swim?

If your child is reluctant to learn how to swim, it may be down to several reasons. Mind you, it’s nothing to get worried about. Yes, the California Department of Public Health strongly advises swimming as a great method of exercising and your child should definitely learn to swim at an early age, but a slight reluctance is nothing to worry about.

Let’s try to deduce why your child doesn’t want to go swimming or is not willing to attend swimming lessons:

1. Kids will be kids – Sometimes, it’s literally nothing more than a child being a child. Sometimes kids just don’t want to do something at a certain point and they want to at another. Talking about it should resolve the matter quickly.
2. Fear – But, at other times, your child may have developed a fear of water at a certain point in the past and is unwilling to take a dip because of that. Fear of water is a serious matter and should be addressed accordingly.
3. Attention – Some kids need more attention from their parents and refusing to participate in certain activities, swimming included, is their way of telling you they want you to be with them more.
4. Stranger danger – If you’ve started taking your kid to swimming lessons and your child doesn’t want to even start, it may be because the instructor is a stranger to them and they feel unpleasant around them.
5. Behavior alterations – But, many children are not afraid of instructors. What’s all the fuss about then, you wonder? Kids can be manipulative, but in a completely cute way – they may be acting up because the instructor is not behaving as they would like and they’re trying to alter the instructor’s behavior.
6. Sensory overload – There are a lot of sensations when your child is attempting to swim. Variations in temperature, echoes, lights, water in their eyes… All these auditory, visual, and tactile sensations can cause overload, stopping your child from enjoying swimming.

How can I encourage my child to start swimming?

If you’re looking for clever ways to encourage your child to swim, you’re in the right place, as we’ve got them in spades:

• Start swimming for fun, not just for effect. Try losing the same old structure out of the equation and try to make every swim time as interesting and enjoyable as it can be.
• Turning the entire swimming experience into a game is also incredibly helpful when trying to get a reluctant child to join in. Play with water, bring a water pistol for a game of pistol fight… Go wild!
• Sometimes, your child doesn’t like the location. Switching the location can also do the trick if you’ve noticed your kid doesn’t want to get into the water.
• Peer pressure can be a good thing when it comes to swimming. Take your kids to swim lessons where they can have a go at it with other kids of their age. Watching others sore will certainly help your children along the way.
• Finally, you should try turning to the pros. Professional swimming instructors are there for a reason and if everything you’ve tried has crashed and burned, ask for help.

How do I get my child to like swimming?

To be completely honest, some kids will love swimming immediately, while others will learn to swim, but will never actually love it. And that’s all down to the differences in character and personal preference.

But, swimming is a beautiful activity, and you should at least try to get your child to like swimming. When it comes to this matter, there isn’t really a specific piece of advice we could offer you now that we haven’t before.

First and foremost, try to make every swimming session as fun and enjoyable as you possibly can. Talk to your child regularly, try to resolve all the potential problems that may arise, and, most importantly – make a family activity out of it. No kid doesn’t love quality family time!

“Is there someone who offers enjoyable private swimming lessons near me?”

You’ve absolutely got the gist of it – swimming lessons for kids should firstly be interesting and fun, and that’s exactly what The Plunge San Diego offers – incredibly enjoyable individual and group swimming lessons for your kids.

Now, it may not be the most opportune time for starting swimming lessons. You’ve probably already postponed the long-planned visit to the USS Midway Museum. But, know that at The Plunge, you can pre-register in advance and be ready to get cracking when all this ends. We’re here for you!

Your child is afraid of water and you’re lost for action? Did you know that there are some things each parent should know about swimming to be able to explain it to their children? Have you thought about taking your child to swimming lessons? Are you trying to encourage your kid to swim?

Helping your kid overcome the fear of water is a tall order for every parent, and only made taller without some help from professionals. So, read this quick help guide before signing up your child for toddler swim lessons in San Diego.

Why is my child afraid of water?

Bath time’s always been OK. Never even a slight tussle, never a moment of reluctance – your child absolutely loves to hop into the tub. But, first family beach outing, and not even as much as a toe-dip?

No need to consult the American Academy of Pediatrics – your child’s fear of water is perfectly normal. But, what could be causing it if there were no previous indications at all? Why is your child’s vocabulary full of “nos” all of a sudden, when everything was going so fine? Let’s see what the common causes of fear of water are:

• Big pools of water, bigger than the one you have at home, are mysterious and vast. Perhaps your child’s become aware of it, causing a rapid development of fear?
• And, with the realization of immense vastness comes the understanding that water is, unfortunately, potentially dangerous. That’s why there are no attempts to go in.
• Lacking ample life experience, there is no way for your child to rationalize all the fears, making them scared of water.
• Sometimes, the fear might stem from a previous scary water experience – a slip in the tub, excessive splashing, or unpleasant water immersion can lead to your child becoming reluctant to jump in.
• Finally, some kids suffer from sensory processing problems and are very prone to becoming sensory overloaded, causing all the loud noises associated with swimming to be unbearable.

These are the most frequent reasons why a child is afraid of a large body of water. Chances are, one or several of these is what’s causing your child’s fears. Now, how can you help?

Should I force my child to take swim lessons?

The answer to this question is a short and resounding “no”! Nothing good will come out of forcing your children to partake in an activity they are scared of. The thing about forcing your child to swim is it can only deepen their fears and resentment.

However, your child should definitely learn how to swim, right? If forcing a reluctant child is not an option, how can you get your child to attend swimming lessons and learn this precious life skill? What can you do?

Talking is the first option, trying to explain to your child that swimming is not only a useful, but also an enjoyable skill to acquire. Also, take your child to observe a few swimming lessons, offer some gentle advice and encouragement, and try slowly nudging your child in the right direction. The days of “toss him in, he’ll swim” are long past us.

How can I help my child overcome the fear of swimming?

When it comes to actually helping your kid overcome the fear of water, there are several useful strategies you could put to good use:

1. Gradual immersion – Again, no forcing your child, no tossing your kid into the water. Let your child take the first step carefully, and remember to take it slowly. 
2. Equipment – Make learning to swim fun by implementing some fun swimming equipment. Water wings, colorful goggles, a life-jacket in your child’s favorite color… All of this can make a world of difference. 
3. Go in yourself – Always go in with your child, at least in the beginning. That way, your child will be less afraid and get over the fear quicker.
4. Talking helps – Sometimes, whatever you do, your child doesn’t seem to want to budge. Try talking calmly to your child, discuss the reason for the fear, and answer all the questions your child might have calmly and in as much detail as you can. 
5. Private swimming lessons – When we say private, we mean one-on-one lessons. Find a patient and kind instructor your child feels comfortable with and see if a professional can help.
6. Counseling – Finally, if nothing else helps, if your kid simply can’t get over the fear of water, a couple of sessions with a psychologist might do the trick.

“Who’s the reigning authority on toddler swim lessons in San Diego?”

If you’re thinking about taking your young child to swim lessons, you’re probably trying to find the best place to do so. Well, you’re in luck, because The Plunge San Diego’s here – the finest spot for both private and group swimming lessons for your child in San Diego. 

The time for swimming lessons isn’t the best one – you’re probably wisely skipping your visits to Heritage Park too. But, it’s useful to know that you can schedule swimming lessons in advance while waiting for the situation to blow over. The Plunge is thinking of you, even during harsh times.