Child separation anxiety swim

"Koala kid" & Protest in pool? Fear of getting in the water? 

These are common issues in children who are brought up in an overly protected environment especially the "Covid-era babies". 

To parents, is time to learn to "let go". Understandably, as a young parent or first-time parent, the urge of maternal/paternal instinct exists to protect our loved little ones, but when is it time to cut the slack?

I came across many (& I mean MANY) cases where kids who came to the pool and cling on to the parent(s), do nothing but cry for the whole sessions. Some even started crying at the sight of the pool or me. 

Separation anxiety though is a normal phase of development in which children (infant & toddlers included) experience emotional distress or anxiety when separated (even for a second) from their primary caregiver. 

Separation anxiety can vary in its duration & severity. In most children, separation anxiety will develop around 10 - 12 months of age, but could start earlier. When dealt at the right time in the right way, children will out-grow it around 2-3 years of age. Some, usually Asians might take a longer time.

Separation anxiety is often classified into three possible stages:

-protest (Example, said "No" to submersions but performed as told with hesitation)

-despair (Example, said "No" to submersions, cries before & after submersions, throwing tantrums)

-detachment (Example, refuse to attend swim sessions, start cries & tantrums before entering the pool)

Most parents I know started looking for professional advise only when aggression & destruction such as screaming, kicking, hitting, throwing & breath holding took place instead of the usual whining & crying. 

There are no bible to parenting but there are ways to tackle the signs & symptoms as soon it surfaces. Early childhood learning such as pre-schooling & of course swimming helps to correct undesired behaviour. 

Setting ourselves apart from others, dip! by coach athan curated successful swim programs that include pool-breaking your child & have them love swimming. We value-add our swim coaching to provide parents insight to handle child separation anxiety.

Though some little ones may cry & whine during the initial months, especially in Singapore where the sessions are mostly held once a week, those parents who lost their littles ones to drowning would do anything to hear them cry again. Behavioural corrections will not be optimised if the parents of the affected child does not have the courage to follow through. 

It is then time to talk to your doctor if:

• You often feel angry or out of control when you respond to child anxiety at the pool

• You keep giving in to your child

• The separation anxiety swim caused much bad feelings between you & your child

• You have questions about what you're doing or what your child is doing

• The separation anxiety swim become more frequent, intense, or last longer

• Your child often hurts himself/herself or others

• Your child seems very disagreeable, argues a lot, & hardly ever cooperates during swim sessions

• Your doctor also can check for any health problems that may add to the separation anxiety swim. Though not common, sometimes, hearing or vision problems, a chronic illness, language delays, or a learning disability such as ADHD & Dyslexia can make kids more likely to develop separation anxiety swim

We provide 20 mins free online consultancy on swim development. Feel free to contact for more information on swim behaviour and progression.