Is Your Child Scared of Swimming? Help Them Overcome: Lottie Learns to Blow Bubbles

Summertime is here and you’re ready for some fun in the water. You ask your kids to put on their swimming gear, but there’s one who feels anxious about it! What do you do to when your child is scared of swimming?

This post is sponsored by the creators Karen Bromley and Jade Bromley of “Lottie Learns to Blow Bubbles”, a wonderful children’s storybook that helps children overcome swimming fears. The book contains the story of Lottie, a young girl who eventually succeeds in enjoying swimming with the help of her swimming teacher, mommy, and friends. It teaches the lesson of taking things gradually, taking small steps of bravery, and using one’s imagination to overcome fears. You can find the book here.

Other helpful links:

• Know Your Tots – Facebook Page for “Lottie Learns to Blow Bubbles”
• Jade Bromley Illustrations – Illustrator of “Lottie Learns to Blow Bubbles”

Is your child scared of swimming? A summer dilemma for parents

Although my baby naturally loves the water, I can understand some parents who struggle with kids who don’t like to swim. I have heard some anecdotes of parents saying that their child is scared of swimming lessons, or just the water in general.

There are many reasons why this happens–it could be a traumatic experience from the past, or simply having a cautious personality that makes them more anxious in the water compared to other children.

In this post, I will be sharing some tips on how you can help your child overcome swimming fears.

Is your child scared of the water? Helpful tips to consider

Using social stories

Social stories are books that help children understand real-life situations. Sometimes, we need the help of stories to help children make sense of the world even before an event takes them by surprise.

“Lottie Learns to Blow Bubbles” is a great social story for a child who is hesitant or scared of swimming. Teaching social stories allows children to anticipate what can happen, such as in a swimming lesson or going on a swimming trip.

For an anxious child, providing knowledge is so vital to help them organize their thoughts and feelings about the situation. You can use social stories in many situations, such as teaching positive values, overcoming fears, or learning how to interact with others.

Enticing using familiar objects and ideas

Another technique that you can use to encourage your child to swim is tying up familiar and desirable objects to the act of being in the water. In this photo, you will notice that my son is holding a toy tractor while in the inflatable pool.

He LOVES vehicles. Thus, I used vehicle bath toys to entice him to be in the pool, although naturally curious as he is, he definitely went in! The same principle is taught in the “Lottie Learns to Blow Bubbles” book. Blowing bubbles is something that most children are familiar with. Instead of asking your child to hold his or her breath, you can use the terms “Blowing bubbles” to make it more fun and less scary!

You can also use toys and swimming gear they are interested in. If your child loves animals, maybe you can use an animal-themed swimsuit. If they love balls, perhaps bringing a beach ball would work.

Taking gradual steps

Being successful in anything doesn’t usually happen in one drastic event. Oftentimes, it is done by taking small steps. The small steps ensure that you don’t have to force your child to like being in the water, but rather, you give them opportunities to experience the little “wins” so they will gain confidence.

In the story “Lottie Learns to Blow Bubbles”, Lottie’s swimming teacher and mother helped her to take small steps by blowing bubbles in the tub, getting familiar with the things she has to do and providing words of encouragement.

These small successes are what your child needs in order to get to the big goal.

Be an example

Lastly, it is important to set an example when teaching your child to love swimming. If you’re wondering why your child is scared of swimming lessons, it could be because this is something unfamiliar and they would prefer you to have a shared experience with them.

Shared experiences are valuable because not only do they give you the chance to bond with your child, but it is also a time where they can emulate the things you teach them.

If your child is hesitant about swimming, you can join them in lessons temporarily, or have a small indoor pool where you can practice (and enjoy)!

I hope you found these tips helpful! Don’t forget to check out “Lottie Learns to Blow Bubbles” for your social storytime.

Enjoyed this? You can also read:

• How To Entertain Baby Without TV: Curious Baby Cards
• How To Teach Reading for Kindergarten: Rhyme To Read

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