Hydrophobia: a fear of water.
It’s certainly no laughing matter. This is especially true for parents who have noticed that their infants throw full-blown tantrums the moment any water splashes into their eyes.
Perhaps, it can be expected that a newborn baby may not particularly be a big fan of the seemingly strange liquid.
But, once a child develops into a toddler and eventually into a school-aged child, the fear of water can become a debilitating situation
How can a fear of water become a debilitating issue?
Also known as aquaphobia, a fear of water can prevent people from engaging in a lot more than swimming, boating or travelling over bodies of water.
Everyday activities such as bathing are also avoided by people who suffer from this fear. In some cases, people don’t even wish to put their feet into a tub of water. Instead, they opt for short showers as their sole means of bathing.
And while showers are perfectly acceptable methods of getting clean, it’s important to note that hydrophobia debilitates people in ways that impacts more than just their physical activities.
Experts have found that a fear of water can also produce lower self-esteem and confidence, feelings of guilt, shame or failure, internal problem-solving conflicts and a decreased willingness and ability to confront new challenges.
What steps can you take to help your child overcome a fear of water?
Offer positive reinforcements for the small steps they take
It is recommended that parents take the path of encouragement first.
In other words, focusing on a child’s emotional state, as it relates to his/her fear of water, is of paramount importance.
Encourage your child to take small steps such as placing his/her feet in the water. Upon accomplishing this step, be sure to heartily congratulate your child and offer a reward of some kind.
He/she will be inspired to continue to make you proud and hopefully begin a journey towards getting in the water completely.
Encourage water-based activities that don’t require submersion
If your children are having a hard time placing themselves – or any parts of their bodies in water – try getting them accustomed to enjoying water in other ways.
Throw on the sprinkler in the backyard, buy water squirting toys and create water balloons.
Engaging in games that involve these items will help to introduce water in fun ways to your child. This will hopefully show them that they don’t have anything to fear.
Get their faces wet
Great! You’ve managed to get their feet wet (both literally and metaphorically). Now, it’s time to get their faces in the water.
While it’s true that many children dislike getting their faces wet, it may be worthwhile to get them to wear properly-fitted goggles to give it a try.
Naturally, you’ll want to lead by example. Try it in your sink or tub at home and make a game of it – a blowing bubbles competition, perhaps – so that it becomes less harrowing an attempt for your child when visiting a pool.
Make use of floatation devices
Some aquatic experts don’t believe in floatation devices as they fear that kids will become dependent on them.
However, life jackets, inner tubes, water wings and kick boards were all made for a great reason. They help keep people afloat so that they can enjoy the water without a fear of drowning.
After all, a fear of water is really a fear of drowning, isn’t it?
Giving your kids devices that will ensure them of their safety while in the water will go a long way in helping them overcome their fears of it.
Enrol your child in summer camp
There’s a reason we didn’t list “Enrol your child in swimming lessons” as our fifth and final step of helping your child overcome his/her fear of water.
While swimming lessons are highly advisable, it’s generally a step to take when your child is a lot more comfortable being in the water.
At summer camp, your child will be introduced to a wide variety of water-based activities that will help him/her get a lot closer to overcoming that fear.
While swimming is always an option, many camps offer opportunities for kayaking, canoeing, tubing, paddle boarding, sailing and rowing as well.
In fact, many of our camps are catered towards these disciplines. At various water sports camps, children can enjoy all of the above! Perhaps, one would be perfect for your child.
How does summer camp help children overcome their fears of water?
At summer camp, counsellors take great measures to ensure both the safety and the confidence of first-time swimmers, if they do go ahead and choose to give swimming a chance.
Making sure your child feels safe and comfortable and offering words of encouragement is a big part of a camp counsellor’s job.
Counsellors know that it is incredibly important for children who fear the water to take things one small step at a time.
Not to mention, summer camps are filled with other kids who are the same age as your son or daughter. They help to provide added motivation for your child to get in the water to play with them.
Their exhibition of not having any fear offers a type of role modelling that can help your youngster to enjoy water-based activities in ways he/she never imagined before.
Of course, overcoming a fear of water is just one of the many benefits that your child can enjoy by going to summer camp.
If you’d like to learn more about the many great benefits that summer camp has proven to provide children, please don’t hesitate to contact the USA Camp Association today!