|
Navigation |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
![]() ![]() |
|
28/02/2013, 09:58 AM
Post
#1
|
|
![]() ![]()
Posts: 514
Joined: 26-June 11
|
|
| Regular Member | |
|
I'm not really sure what do here. We started swimming lessons for our 3 yo DS. We have done about 5 weeks now. He likes the water and likes going "swimming". But when it comes to the class, he doesn't want to participate. He doesn't like putting his head under water or getting water up his nose. Either myself or my husband are in the water with him. It's a real struggle to get him to do what the teacher asks. I don't like to push him as I am worried that it becomes a battle of wills and put him off swimming. My husband things we should push him a bit more or be more forceful. But then DS starts to get upset and lashes out. So we are disagreeing about how to handle it. My husband gets angry about it and thinks if we don't try to push DS into trying to participate that DS is learning that if he doesn't want to do something then he doesn't have to do it. DS told me he's scared of the "big" pool. So, I am not really sure what to do. Any thoughts? Do you think we should push it like my husband thinks we should? Or keep persisting at DS's own pace? Or I am thinking of just stopping the classes and trying again later in the year.
|
|
|
|
|
28/02/2013, 10:07 AM
Post
#2
|
|
![]() ![]() ![]()
Posts: 1,007
Joined: 3-May 09
|
|
| Amphibious superhero | |
|
Your DH is right about teaching children that some things are not optional, and to persevere... but three is quite young, and your son may not have the understanding of delayed gratification needed to push through his discomfort.
I reckon give formal lessons a rest, take him for a weekly splash anyway for water familiarisation, and find another activity he can do that will help him learn to comply with teacher's directions - something he enjoys, like kindygym or soccer. |
|
|
|
|
28/02/2013, 10:15 AM
Post
#3
|
|
![]()
Posts: 301
Joined: 3-December 11
|
|
| Member | |
|
part of my decision making would take into account how many pools are in your DS environment. ie you have one or grandparents or you live near beach etc. If your child is going to be at places where he needs swimming skills i would say take it at his pace but keep going. IYKWIM
If you aren't around water maybe delay. |
|
|
|
|
28/02/2013, 10:15 AM
Post
#4
|
|
Posts: 28
Joined: 27-February 13
|
|
| New Member | |
|
I think get him familiar with the water first and let him go at his own pace...he is only 3 and I think forcing him would be too traumatic for everyone. Good luck!!
|
|
|
|
|
28/02/2013, 10:17 AM
Post
#5
|
|
![]() ![]() ![]()
Posts: 1,444
Joined: 8-April 08
|
|
| Advanced Member | |
|
We have had similar situations with both our girls. We have a swimming pool so learning to swim is important in our house. With our first girl, we changed swim schools until we found a small one which she loved, and we never forced the issue. With her personality it just made it worse. She can now swim at 4.5 yrs old.
My almost 3 yo has been the same as the big girl. Not wanting to go under. The teacher asked me to go into the reading area away from the class, and it worked perfectly. She then went under and participated. Would never have worked for no. 1 daughter. Having said that, I am not one to force these things...as we would never leave our children near water unsupervised. I know this sounds obvious but where I live, near the beach, lots of kids swim early so parents do leave their kids unsupervised: It blows me away. We were also the situation where the girls were afraid of water and wouldn't go Anywhere near it without us...incl the bath!! |
|
|
|
|
28/02/2013, 10:17 AM
Post
#6
|
|
![]()
Posts: 471
Joined: 28-February 01
From: Melb, Vic, Aust
|
|
| Member | |
|
I agree with pp, I'd give it a rest, maybe you could take him swimming yourself once a week until his maybe 4 years old. I found this age much easier with swimming lesson. He isn't going to learn very much if he isn't happy.
Good luck |
|
|
|
|
28/02/2013, 10:22 AM
Post
#7
|
|
![]()
Posts: 433
Joined: 29-January 10
From: Saratoga
|
|
| Member | |
|
Could u try a group lesson where parents arint in the water? I know my daughter is much better now I'm not in the water and she copies what the other kids do.
|
|
|
|
|
28/02/2013, 10:22 AM
Post
#8
|
|
Posts: 74
Joined: 20-March 10
|
|
| New Member | |
|
After only 5 weeks? No I don't think you should give up just yet. He is only three so the space between each lesson will seem huge and as such it can take a while for them to feel comfortable. I would go to the pool between lessons and just persist and encourage him to go under water. The teacher should be able to try a number of different things to get him to participate. Perhaps try another teacher or school.
|
|
|
|
|
28/02/2013, 10:24 AM
Post
#9
|
|
Posts: 26
Joined: 5-December 11
|
|
| New Member | |
|
My daughter was similar, we tried her every term and had the same issues, so gave it a rest. Just this last term she is finally loving it! And after only 3 weeks she's been promoted into a class without me, and she's loving it and is so confident! Never would have guessed this would have happened, it's just a matter of time unless you traumatise them with over trying. While she wasn't going to lessons we would go swimming every week so I'm sure that helped build her water confidence too. Just don't make a big deal about it, it will happen a lot quicker and easier when the time is right.
|
|
|
|
|
28/02/2013, 10:25 AM
Post
#10
|
|
![]() ![]() ![]()
Posts: 1,008
Joined: 4-March 10
|
|
| Fembo, not tart. | |
|
Hmmmm, how many kids are in the class? DS started swimming at 5 months old and I have been with him in the water all this time. Then he turned 3 and it was suggested he goes 1 class up. He's now in a class with 2 other boys and I just sit on a chair and watch him.
He likes to play with his "class mates" before lessons. One of the boys also only started lessons a few weeks back and is very wary of water in his nose and all that. But as they now have a bit of a play before lessons, he is getting more confident and is copying my DS and the other 3yo boy. Goggles helped DS with having his face in the water. Is private lessons an option? Or if he;s in a big class, can you ask to put him in smaller class so he gets more 1 on 1 attention? If this isn't possible, perhaps look for a pool that does have smaller classes? I Personally would persevere though, but that's just me. We live in an area that floods easily, so it's just piece of mind. |
|
|
|
|
![]() ![]() |
Got bored kids? Quickly find the best activities for kids wherever you are in Australia with the Essential Kids app.
We know you're busy. That's why we've made it easier to connect with us online.
It?s a simple premise: a dad re-enacts the conversations he has with his two year old daughter ? but the daughter is played by a grown man. And the results are very, very funny.
At last, a new Standards Australia revision now allows for ISOFIX child restraints.
NSW Health has warned of a current outbreak of mumps across the state, urging members of the public to check their vaccination status.
The tragic case of two young boys who died while their mother was only metres away has highlighted the need for ongoing awareness of postnatal depression.
Whether your child is on a special seat on your bike, is sitting in an attached trailer, or is 'helping to pedal' on a half bike, there are lots of options to keep everyone comfortable and safe while cycling as a family.
For many, the Mirena IUD is a brilliant contraceptive option. For me, however, it was a dreadful mistake ? and I've since learnt I'm not alone.
In 1938, the Finnish government began giving parents-to-be packages to help them care for their babies, supplying them with clothes, nappies, and a box that could be used as the child?s bed. Today, the tradition is still going strong.
In parents? ever-increasing search for the perfect memento of their pregnancy comes an ultrasound you can touch.
Somewhere along the journey, someone removed my ?me? identity and replaced it with ?mum?. Here's what I've learnt about finding my 'me' again.
Gossip sites went into meltdown over news of Kate Winslet's pregnancy to her third husband. Amy Gray looks at why people judged her so harshly while so many others go unscathed.
Why do the ordinary people who go to extraordinary lengths to help give children a better life often end up out of pocket?
Lisa Curry may be 51 years old, but she?s not letting that get in the way of trying for a baby.
Check out our new interactive ebook, part of the brand new SMH Shortbooks series, for free!
Skip to:
You can win a Safety 1st car seat featuring Air Protect side-impact technology and a travel pack, valued at $290.
You could win the stylish 4WD Cosmopolitan pram from Mountain Buggy, valued at $799.
You could win one of 10 copies of the album Ten in the Bed by Jay Laga'aia.
You could win 1 of 4 $50 vouchers to spend at babyography.net.au.
Find everything you need to plan your next kids party. Essential Kids has ideas for kids party themes, free printable invites, cake ideas and tips for party games.
|
Lo-Fi Version Skin by IPB Customize |
Time is now: 20/06/2013 |