Is Crying Normal During Private Swim Lessons?
Tips and tricks to make your kiddo’s private swim lesson experience more pleasant.
Parents often come to the first swimming lessons telling us their child loves the water and that swimming lessons should be a breeze. Then, the tears flow five minutes into the lessons, and crying ensues. Screaming, crying, throwing a fit - our instructors have seen it all. Crying during the first couple of lessons is normal.
For some kids, being in a new environment, trying something new, and being away from their parents is too much newness at once. And this is understandable. The screaming and crying will stop after 4 or 5 lessons. Our packages are $210 for 2 hours' worth of lessons. We usually split this into four 30-minute classes, but you can schedule 8 15-minute lessons if your child screams the entire time. Each child develops water confidence at their rate. If your child is still crying after several lessons, we have tips and tricks you can try to make the lessons a more pleasant experience for your child, the instructor, and yourself.
What To Do
Don't be too present in the lessons. Staying with your child during the lesson will hinder their experience, and by staying out of sight, you are teaching your child to trust the instructor more. Our instructors have several years of experience working with screaming babies.
Positive Reinforcement. Sometimes, this is all it takes! As your child gets more comfortable in the water, they will gain more independence, and the reinforcement will no longer be necessary.
Praise! Praise! Praise! Letting your child know they are doing a good job is crucial! Sometimes, all they need is the validation that they are doing it right and that you are impressed by their skills. It also explains the benefits of their learning swimming and water safety skills. Explain to them that they are learning skills they will use for the rest of their lives.
Practice swimming skills at home. If you have a home pool or bathtub for those youngsters, try practicing some skills. Tell your child you want to play a game with them to surprise the instructor with how much they've improved since the last lessons. Your child will be so focused on improving their skills that they will forget their discomfort or lack of confidence in the water. They will get better without even realizing it!
What To NOT Do
Of course, while mentioning what to do, we should also mention some ideas of what not to do.
Don't discontinue lessons. As mentioned, most children stop their tears after four or five lessons, but not every child! Give your child time to get used to the new environment and skills they are learning. Each child improves and learns at a different speed, so it is essential to be patient with your child and the instructor.
Don't let your frustrations show. It can be easy to get frustrated if your child has difficulty adapting to swimming lessons. However, it is essential not to let those frustrations show to your child and to continue to give them positive support and encouragement. If your child can sense that you are frustrated, the situation might worsen, and the tears might continue.
Don't bribe your child. There is a difference between positive reinforcement and bribing your child to attend swimming lessons. Bribery has a negative connotation and will not produce good results in the long run.
Our Last Thought
Swimming lessons can be a big step for your child, and the transition for some may be much easier than for others. It's essential to be patient with your child, and to encourage them that they are doing a good job, no matter how long the process takes. It's hard to see the benefits of swimming lessons if your child is having difficulty, but they improve with each class.