5 Tips to Help Nervous Swimmers Feel More Comfortable and Confident for Lessons

At Big Blue Swim School, fun, confidence, and safety all go hand in hand! We understand that some children may feel a little nervous about taking swimming lessons, but fear not—we’ve got you covered. Here are five tips to help your nervous swimmer feel more comfortable and less anxious about their swimming journey.

Let’s jump in!

1. Start with Open Communication

Before your child’s first swim lesson, take the time to have an open and honest conversation. Talk to them about what to expect, reassuring them that they’ll be in a safe environment with experienced instructors by their side.  Emphasize that it’s absolutely normal to feel a little nervous and that many other children initially feel the same way. Open communication will help ease their anxiety and build their confidence.

Pro Tip: One thing you can try is having your kids make a list of the things that make them feel anxious about lessons, then bring the list in and talk through it with an instructor or staff member at Big Blue! Our staff will be more than happy to go through the list with them, building the foundation of a trusting relationship between Big Blue staff and your swimmers.

This exercise can also help to ease their fears about being in the water. Plus, once they’re at the pool, they’ll be able to see what a warm, welcoming, and fun environment Big Blue has to offer!

2. Familiarize Your Child with Water

To help your child feel more comfortable in the water, start by introducing them to a pool environment outside of lessons. If possible, take them for casual swims or playtime in the water, allowing them to explore at their own pace. Encourage them to splash, kick their legs, and use their arms to propel themselves.

Something else you can do right at home? Utilize bath time! Bathtime without the bubbles is like having a mini pool, especially for younger children. The smaller area provides a sense of control, and children can test out wearing goggles or play “swim” games like racing with water toys.

Depending on their comfort level, they can even kick and pretend to move with a swim stroke. Bath time is also a great way to practice wiping water up and off the face if water gets in their eyes. Using bath time to prep for lessons can reinforce how much fun it will be with more space and new friends during lesson time!

3. Foster Positive Associations

Creating positive associations with swimming can make a world of difference for your child's comfort level. Offer compliments and praise for every effort they make in the water, no matter how small. It’s important to celebrate their progress, whether in mastering a new stroke, holding their breath, or even just getting into the water. By focusing on the positives, you’ll boost their confidence and enthusiasm for swimming lessons.

Children may not think about how swimming will make them safe, but they do care that learning to swim can help them become stronger and have more fun in the water outside of lessons! Try showing your swimmers other water sports or recreational activities they can try once they learn to swim—consider boating, whitewater rafting, or even something like diving or joining a swim team! Making connections between swimming and their interests is one of the best ways to get children excited about coming to lessons.

4. Build a Supportive Routine

Routine plays a significant role in helping your child feel secure and at ease during swimming lessons. Establish a consistent schedule for swimming, ensuring they have ample time to relax, snack, and prepare before each lesson. By creating a predictable routine, you’ll provide a sense of stability and promote a positive mindset before getting into the water.

Pro Tip: If your swimmers are enrolled in evening lessons, we recommend eating a healthy meal beforehand and still having a snack to look forward to after their lesson!

5. Communicate Preferences to Instructors

Is there a particular personality type or teaching style that works best for your swimmer? Feel free to add a note explaining this in the parent portal of the Big Blue Swim School app or talk to the front desk team to let us know! We pride ourselves on working to accommodate all parent requests and swimmer needs to the best of our abilities. We want to do everything we can to make swimming lessons a positive, fun, and useful experience for our families.

If your student is nervous, but you know that a high-energy and funny instructor or a calm and patient one would help break the ice, we are happy to help. Big Blue staff truly want to get to know your swimmers, so you can also encourage them to talk before, during, and after lessons about the other things they like outside of the pool! This will make your swimmers feel more comfortable and help the teacher tailor the lessons toward students.

Let Big Blue Help Your Nervous Swimmer

Big Blue is not just a place for swimming lessons—we are a community dedicated to helping families unlock potential in and out of the water. Our expert instructors, safe and clean pools, and proven teaching methods ensure your child learns crucial swimming skills while gaining confidence, strength, and joy through the power of swimming.

BONUS: Our thoughtfully-designed viewing lobbies make it easy and comfortable for parents and guardians to watch lessons and still allow their swimmers to focus on improving their skills.

Let’s talk about what we can do to make your nervous swimmer feel comfortable. Our experienced, well-trained staff are experts at how to get a child comfortable in the water. Sign your kiddos up for a free trial today.

Frequently Asked Questions About Nervous Swimmers

Is It Normal for Kids to Cry at Swim Lessons?

We wouldn’t call it normal, but it’s definitely not unheard of and not anything to be embarrassed about! At Big Blue, we work hard to hire experienced staff who are wonderful at teaching swimming and working with all children. When kiddos have big feelings, tears can make an appearance. A small instructor-to-student ratio and compassionate staff mean that children aren’t left to cry it out alone. They’ll receive quick and considerate attention so that we can figure out how to best meet their needs while making sure they feel safe and comfortable.

And don’t forget that you’ll be right there in our viewing lobby. If your little one needs you, you can be at their side within moments.

How Do You Teach a Reluctant Child to Swim?

Every child is different, but it usually comes down to comfort and confidence. Fear and discomfort are not conducive to a healthy learning environment. There are so many reasons a little swimmer might be hesitant, so our attentive instructors will work with you and your child to discover the reason for their reluctance—and how to get past it. We’ll grant them time and patience as they get used to the warm water, the instructors, and this new environment. As they realize they’re safe and start to feel confident, the swimming lessons can begin in earnest.

How Long Does It Take to Get Comfortable Swimming?

It simply depends on the child. There’s no average or range to speak of here. Every child comes with their own level of comfort with being in the water and developing swimming skills.

Children who come to lessons with a great deal of experience playing around in pools, lakes, or rivers might be in a better position to learn how to swim a little faster, but you’ll see plenty of variation in any group.

What Should You Not Do When Teaching a Child to Swim?

The number one answer? Absolutely do not simply throw a child who can’t swim into the water and let them figure it out.

This classic “tough love” approach can be traumatic and dangerous and can leave a child with trust issues.

Here are some other guidelines to avoid:

• Negative reinforcement. Children learn better with praise and encouragement in all spheres of life. Swimming is no different.
• Pushing too hard. If a child isn’t ready, no amount of pressure will make them comfortable. If they’re scared or simply don’t feel comfortable, it’s much more important to listen to them and validate their feelings than make swimming progress.
• Overreliance on floating devices. Since the goal is to help a child develop into a safe, confident swimmer, using floating devices can be counterproductive. They may struggle to achieve the confidence they need if floating devices are overused.

Why Does My Child Hate Swimming Lessons?

What do they have to say on the topic? Your child is the expert on this question, so an FAQ might be of limited use. Ask the question and be ready to listen to the answer, whatever it is.

For a lot of kids, discomfort will be at the bottom of a dislike or even hatred of swimming lessons. They may be uncomfortable for several possible reasons:

• Fear
• Dislike of instructors
• Lack of confidence
• Self-consciousness
• Bullying
• Traumatic experiences
  

They may even be one of the rare children who simply don’t enjoy spending time playing in the water. Everyone’s built differently!

For all possibilities, Big Blue believes in attentive, professional instructors who are only responsible for a small number of swimmers and can provide a safeguard against potential issues. While you can’t anticipate everything, having enough instructors who provide personal attention can nip a lot of potential problems in the bud.

How Can I Make My Kids Not Scared of the Water?

Aquatic comfort level can be a long game that develops slowly over time, with positive experiences in the bath, kiddie pools, lawn sprinklers, splash parks, and the shallow end of the pool.
Regardless of comfort level, water safety is extremely important and our caring and understanding staff is always here to help and teach. Big Blue Swim School offers free trial lessons, so if you think a positive experience there could help dispel their fear, that might be a good step to take!