Fears are common in children and most have at least one situation or object that they fear at some point as they grow. Fear is one thing, but as a child's fear turns debilitating and prevents her from interacting in everyday situations, she may be diagnosed with a phobia, according to helpguide.org. If your child is afraid of water, her phobia can keep your family from having beach vacations, going to swimming pools or having a picnic by a lake.
Phobias
A phobia is a fear, according to health website Kids Health, that is relentless, enduring, and excessive. Phobias are one of the leading causes parents take their children to mental health professionals, because a phobia can be quite difficult to manage if the fear is about something that cannot easily be avoided, such as thunderstorms or dogs. Patricia Henderson Shimm of Baby Center says that water can give a child a feeling of not having boundaries, which can be frightening for a child.
Signs of a Phobia
The Child Anxiety Network says that children with phobias will avoid certain situations that they fear. A child afraid of water may deliberately avoid going to the pool or taking a bath. They also display discomfort and may complain of physical reactions to the feared stimulus, such as having a rapid heartbeat, stomachaches, shaking or their palms will sweat. If a child's fear is out of proportion to the feared object, such as running away from a bathtub because of the presence of water, he may have a phobia.
Exposure Therapy
One way to combat a specific phobia related to water is through what psychiatrists call exposure therapy. Exposure therapy is a gradual exposure to the feared object in a safe environment. It may start by having your child think about water. Gradually, your child's positive interactions with water will increase, and you may be able to get her to touch water in a sink. Soon, she will be happy to go into water in a pool or ocean.
What Parents Can Do
One of the most important things you can do to help your child is acknowledge that his fear is real. If you make light of his phobia, he may begin to stop trusting you for support. Kids Health also suggests teaching your child to rate the level of fear he is experiencing. Teaching him relaxation techniques can help when your child is confronted with water. Shimm says that to get your child into a body of water such as a pool, allow him to stay back while you play and have a lot of fun. Eventually, he may feel brave enough to try coming in the water. If he does, allow him to be in charge and never force him to stay in the water if he decides he's ready to get out.
Swimming Classes
Shimm of Baby Center also suggests that a swimming class may be a good and easy way to get a child into the water. The first few meetings, allow her to stay out of the water and watch the other children. Teaching her to swim will make her feel safer and more secure in the water. Also, seeing other children enjoying the water will catch her eye, making her more likely to feel safe getting in the water. You can also try making the most of bath time, adding toys and games to the experience. Once she has fun in the tub, she will be more inclined to hit the pool.
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