HEALTH AND SAFETY

How to get children to overcome their fear of water

Water is an element that is part of human life, even before they are born, since in the womb the foetus is immersed in amniotic fluid.

In newborns, fear of water is generally absent. When this occurs, it could mean that there was a wrong approach in washing them the first few times and this could have caused a 'trauma'.

For infants, but even more so for older children, in addition to the presence of parents near places where there is a possibility of approach with water, the example provided is important.

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Fear of water in infants and children
Water is an element that is part of human life, even before they are born, since in the womb the foetus is immersed in amniotic fluid. If infants and children develop a fear of water, therefore, there may have been a trigger.
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The possible traumas of infants
In infants, fear of water is generally absent. When this does occur, it may mean that there was a wrong approach in washing them the first few times and this may have caused a 'trauma'. For infants, but even more so for older children, in addition to the presence of parents near places where there is a possibility of approach with water, the example provided is important.
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Learning the water approach
As with any aspect of life, the relationship with water is also a matter of education. Children must learn to approach it (be it a sea or a river...) in the right way, without fearing it, but at the same time taking the right precautions to avoid danger. The example of parents is obviously crucial in this.
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Negative experiences
Fear of water where one does not touch it is common in some children. Again, this is usually a phobia due to previous negative experiences, which the child probably experienced when he or she was first learning to swim.
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The constant presence of adults
One of the main ways to prevent children from being traumatised by their relationship with water is to always be by their side when near the sea, rivers, lakes... Moments of distraction could allow children to engage in unsuitable activities, take potential risks and thus experience trauma.
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