How do you get your 5 year old to not be scared of the pool?

Suzy Gregg - posted on 11/24/2009

My five year old daughter daughter was scared of the pool until I put her in swim lessons. I stayed with her the whole time. At first she wouldn't get near the pool but we keept going and slowly she got better about it. Now we can't get her out of the pool!

Stacy - posted on 10/29/2009

My daughter was terrified of the water last year, my mother has a pool and all she wanted to do was put her feet in it. My mom eventually coaxed her into a baby boat/raft. where the only that was in the water was her feet. Mom took her around the pool over and over again. Slowly we changed rafts, till she was only in swimmes and she loves it. She doesn't like to get splashed and it get scared if she does, we just talk her down and dont let her out. She keeps a towel by the edge to wipe her face if "she needs to". This has helped alot. She was finally able to get with the other kids and had tons of fun!!

W - posted on 10/19/2009

Patience and fun... Ring around the rosie in the pool works... eventually... confidence will come. An pool exercize barbell works too.

Kimberly - posted on 10/08/2009

How do they like the bathtub? Start bringing "pool" toys in the tub and practice arm movements just for fun. Play pretend swim games at home, using your arms to show strokes and have kicking contests in a "pretend pool". Put a blanket down and use it as a "pool" and play splash. Go to the library and see if they books about pools. Maybe if the stigma of it is removed and they assiciate the pool with games and fun, they will loosen up!

Nelly - posted on 09/10/2009

let your child learn from the expert... they are trained how to handle with kids...
my son loves swimming lesson now...

Cindy - posted on 09/05/2009

swimming lessons. My daughter started a year ago, almost 4 years old, she was taking classes twice a week and 4 times in the summer and she is swimming so good already and love it.

Michelle - posted on 08/12/2009

At this age fears are normal and usually subside over time. Try a community pool that has a toddler pool also. Soon your child will want to try the big pool. Relax, not many teenagers are afraid of the pool :)

Katie - posted on 07/30/2009

Swimming lessons, let your child slowly get comfortable with it. We had a situtation last year with our daughter (who turns five this august) which made her terrified of water. This summer she did lessons and is now a little fish