Learning to swim is an important life skill, but for a nervous child, it can be a daunting and stressful experience. However, with patience, encouragement, and the right approach, your child can overcome their fear of water and become a confident swimmer. 

Here are 9 ways that together we can help your nervous child in their swimming journey at Swim Max. 

1️⃣ Start early and gradually: It's important to introduce your child to water at a young age. At Swim Max, we teach babies from 6 weeks old. You can start your child off with gentle, fun experiences like Baby/Toddler and Parent swimming lessons where they can become familiar with the sensation of being in the water.

2️⃣ Choose the right instructor: When it comes to swimming lessons, the right instructor can make a big difference. All of our instructors are patient and experienced in working with nervous children. They build trust using the Swim Max Method which will help your child feel comfortable in the water.

3️⃣ Create a positive attitude: At Swim Max, we have a positive attitude and encourage children. If you or one of our instructors are nervous or anxious about your child learning to swim, they may pick up on those feelings. Show enthusiasm for their progress, no matter how small, and celebrate their achievements.

4️⃣ Make it fun: We incorporate play into swimming lessons and use toys and games that can distract your child from their fears and create positive associations with the water.

5️⃣ Set realistic goals: We establish achievable goals for your child's swimming progress. We start with simple tasks like holding our breath above the water or kicking our legs while sitting on the steps and progressing to floating on the back. As children accomplish these smaller goals, they gradually move on to more advanced skills.

6️⃣ Build trust and patience: Patience and trust is a crucial element in helping a nervous child learn to swim. If they're not ready for a certain step, we don't push them too hard or too fast. We allow them to develop at their own pace.

7️⃣ Practice regularly: Consistency is key in helping a nervous child learn to swim. We recommend at least one lesson per week to help your child become more comfortable and confident in water time. We can accommodate more frequent lessons if interested. Also, consider incorporating family swim days to make it a regular and enjoyable activity.

8️⃣ Overcome fear of submersion: Many children's fear of swimming is linked to a fear of submersion. We teach children to hold their breath while submerged in the water. Most importantly we also teach them how to deal with water when it goes in their eyes or up their nose.  Gradually introducing them to underwater activities to ease this fear.

9️⃣ Positive reinforcement: We praise and reward children for their efforts. A simple reward system, like hi 5’s or ability to choose their toys or the games at the end of the session can provide motivation and reinforce their progress.

Helping your nervous child learn to swim requires patience, understanding, and a positive approach. By gradually introducing them to the water, using appropriate techniques, and building their confidence step by step, your child can overcome their fear and become a skilled and confident swimmer. 

Remember that every child is unique, and their progress may vary, so it's essential to be supportive and encouraging throughout their swimming journey. Ultimately, the goal is for your child to not only be safe in the water but to also enjoy swimming.