What to Remember When The Crying Won't Stop
Sometimes it takes all that you have to keep it together when your child is throwing a fit about going to swim lessons.
Screaming. Crying. Rolling on the floor.
We’ve seen it all. We’ve even watched some parents' composure slowly crack under the pressure. Before you know it, nobody is having fun. There's little chance that anyone will actually get to experience the excitement of swimming.
Need some encouraging words?
The first thing to realize is: This behavior is normal.
For some kids, the water can be a big and frightening place. Think about it. Most of us can’t remember our first experience in the water, but we imagine it’s akin to what our pets feel when riding in the car for the first time.
What’s happening? Why is the world moving? Why is their wind at my ears? What’s that noise? Why is mom up front? It’s a completely new sensory experience. Top that off with the fact that some kids go through separation anxiety when leaving their parents, and it’s easy to see why the water can sometimes be an overwhelming and foreign world.
Getting Used to Swim Lessons Can Take Time
After years of teaching children how to swim and how to be safe in and around the water, we have good news: it will stop.
When you ask?
Usually around the fourth lesson.
That strange man or woman that keeps insisting your child splash around will begin to become trusted and known as a teacher. And that initial shock of being wet will dissipate as the water becomes a fun and familiar place.
Encouraging a Toddler to Swim
It’s important to remember, though, that each child develops water confidence and comfort at his or her own rate. That being said, if you’re child is still crying, there are some things you can do that will help the process along and finally grant you sweet, excited silence:
- Stay in the observation room – If you’ve ever been to daycare, this part can sometimes to the hardest for parents. The parental instinct to nurture will really kick in here, but you need to teach your child to trust those whom you place him/her with and that you will return.
- Offer continued support and encouragement – Though it can be a process, try and offer continuous encouragement to your child. Explain to him/her the benefits of the learning how to swim and that, after awhile, it becomes fun.
- Reinforce desired behaviors – Sometimes all it takes is some good ol’ reinforcement. Your child is a parent-pleaser at heart. Rewarding or encouraging enthusiasm for the pool may inch your child to water independence.
- Practice skills at home in the bathtub or pool – Practice (not necessarily perfect at first) makes comfort! Working at home with your child will undoubtedly begin to instill trust in the water and a confidence in his/her skills.
What Should You NOT Do?
- Offer bribes for attending lessons – Bribing a child to attend swim lessons reinforces a negative association with water and the learning process…and that’s something you definitely want to avoid in the long-run.
- Discontinue lessons altogether – swim lessons are, first and foremost, about safety. Discontinuing lessons is detrimental for a child’s development. Swimming is an essential skill for water safety and sometimes, survival.
- Allow your anxiety to show through your child – We know the crying can get frustrating, but the last thing your child needs is an added dose of anxiety to compound his/her own.
We hope this post has been helpful for those of you who have requested more information about crying. Do you still have questions? Get in touch by calling or visiting Goldfish Swim School - Eagan.
About Goldfish Swim School - Eagan |
Enjoy Our Facilities, Including Our Shiver Free Indoor Swimming Pool
Where Children Learn & Achieve While Having Fun
Every square inch of our unique facility is designed to enhance learning, fun and safety for every child and parent who joins the Goldfish family. You’ll see and feel the difference the moment you walk through the door. For kids, it’s an invigorating and fun place to be with best friends, make new friends and cultivate a love for swimming. For parents, it’s a comfort in knowing their kids are safe, nurtured and growing.
Our industry-leading facilities designed for kids, toddlers, and babies alike. They feature:
- An indoor swimming pool heated to a tropical 90° year-round
- State-of-the-art water purification system to keep the pools clean and sanitary
- Air-conditioned viewing gallery for parents to relax, work, read, socialize (digitally and personally) and watch their kids swim
- Modern training equipment and tools that support our proprietary curriculum
- A private space for parties and events to accommodate groups of up to 50 attendees
- Our in-house Snack Shack snack bar and Treasure Island Pro Shop to grab a quick treat after swim lessons and find all the swim gear you need
- Year-round swim instruction for children from 4 months old to 12 years old, with specially designed lessons for infant and toddler swimming
- Small class sizes (Max 4:1 student-to-teacher ratio for group classes and a max 6:1 student-to-teacher ratio in our indoor baby swimming classes)
- Experienced staff of trained and certified swim instructors
- Proud member of the National Drowning Prevention Alliance
- Tropical decor
- Kid-friendly amenities like our hair drying station, swimsuit dryers & private changing rooms
Our Snack Shack
Time-Saving Snack or Edible Gold Medal?
Our Snack Shack features a kid-friendly menu of treats like popcorn, granola bars, chips and drinks such as juice, water and coffee. For parents, it’s another time-saving convenience built into the “Golden Experience.” For kids, it’s a place to collect a special reward to celebrate their hard work in the pool.
Visit our Grand Opening, Watch our virtual tour or give us a call at (651) 240-6331 to schedule an in-person facility tour!
Experience The Difference
Goldfish Swim School is the premier learn-to-swim facility for kids ages 4 months to 12 years. We use our holistic philosophy, The Science of SwimPlay®, to build life skills both in and out of the water using play-based learning in a fun and safe environment.
Interested in finding out more about our programs and pricing? Dive into your local Goldfish!
Swimming Lessons for Kids
Where Learning Is Fun for Everyone
At Goldfish Swim School, we believe that your child deserves to have an incredible swimming experience in the safest and most fun environment possible. Our kids swimming lessons are specially designed to make learning fun through guided play for beginners to advanced swimmers from 4 months to 12 years old, including infant swim lessons, toddler swimming lessons, and more.Choose from one of our classes HERE
Baby Swim Lessons: Mini Lessons for the Littlest Fish (Infant Swim Lessons For Little Ones: Age 4-35 months)
Junior Swim Lessons (Swimming Classes for Kids Age Range: 3 & 4 Years Old)
Glider Swim Lessons for Kids (Swimming Classes for Kids Age Range: 4 – 12 Years Old)
Pro Swimming Lessons for Experienced Kids (Swim Lessons for Age Range: 4 – 12 Years Old)
Goldfish Swim Force Team (Pro Swimming Lessons for Kids Ages 5 – 12 Years Old)
Pricing
Whether you are looking for weekly group lesson pricing for your baby or are interested in your advanced swimmer joining our swim team, our pricing page has all the info you'll need to get started. To ensure your child is placed in the right lesson level, take our swim assessment.
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