Paura dell'acqua: come affrontarla.

Summary

In this insightful interview, Giulia Mincato, an expert in water safety and child development, discusses the common issue of water phobia in children. She explains how fear of water can develop, particularly after experiences like the COVID-19 lockdown or disruptions in routine activities like swimming. Giulia highlights the importance of parental involvement and different approaches to help children overcome their fears, including using play, gradual exposure, and emotional support. She also emphasizes the need for parents to reflect on their own feelings toward water and how this can impact their children's experience with it.

Takeaways

• 😀 Children are born without an inherent fear of water, as they experience it in the womb during pregnancy.
• 😀 Fear of water often develops around the age of 3 when children start to understand abstract emotions like fear.
• 😀 Lack of consistent exposure to water, such as during COVID-19 lockdowns or busy parenting schedules, can lead to water-related fears in children.
• 😀 Parental reactions play a significant role in shaping how children perceive water: overprotective behaviors or harsh exposure can amplify fears.
• 😀 Two primary parental approaches to children's water fear: overprotectiveness (e.g., using swim caps) and harsh exposure (e.g., pushing the child into water).
• 😀 Overprotecting children from water may unintentionally reinforce the idea that water is something to be feared.
• 😀 Pushing children into water before they're ready can create traumatic associations with water, leading to more anxiety and resistance.
• 😀 Gradual exposure to water through play and positive experiences, such as bath time or pool games, helps children build confidence and familiarity.
• 😀 Books and stories about water (e.g., bath time or swimming) can be helpful tools for children to understand and prepare for water-related experiences.
• 😀 Parents should assess their own comfort with water and ensure they aren’t transmitting their own fears to their children through their behaviors.
• 😀 Working with a professional, such as a swimming instructor, can provide both parents and children with the necessary tools to confidently navigate water-related experiences.

Q & A

What is the primary cause of fear of water in children?

The primary cause of fear of water in children is usually limited exposure to aquatic environments. This could result from events like the COVID-19 lockdown, or from long breaks between swimming lessons, leaving children unfamiliar with water activities.

At what age do children typically begin to develop a fear of water?

Children generally begin to develop a fear of water around the age of 3, when they start to understand abstract concepts and become more aware of potential dangers.

Why do younger children usually not fear water?

Younger children typically do not fear water because they are still in the early stages of cognitive development and lack the ability to form abstract fears. Additionally, they have spent the first months of their life in the womb, where they were surrounded by water, making it a familiar environment.

How can parents unintentionally reinforce a child's fear of water?

Parents may unintentionally reinforce a child's fear of water by overprotecting them, avoiding water-related situations, or using protective measures like water caps. This can signal to the child that water is something to be afraid of, even if it isn't inherently dangerous.

What are the two extreme approaches parents may take when dealing with a child's fear of water?

One extreme is the overprotective parent who avoids water or uses protective gear to shield the child from it. The other extreme is the parent who is overly forceful, pushing the child into the water or demanding they face their fear immediately, which can lead to trauma and an increased fear of water.

How can parents help their child overcome their fear of water in a gentle way?

Parents can help their child overcome the fear of water by accepting the child's fear, gradually exposing them to water in a controlled and playful manner, and engaging in activities like reading water-related books or playing with water toys. This approach should be done without forcing the child into uncomfortable situations.

What role does a parent's own attitude toward water play in a child's fear?

A parent's attitude toward water can significantly influence how a child perceives it. If a parent is anxious or fearful about water, they may inadvertently pass on these feelings to their child. It's important for parents to reflect on their own comfort level with water and work through their own anxieties before guiding their child.

Why is play a crucial element in helping children overcome their fear of water?

Play is crucial because it helps transform water-related experiences into fun and enjoyable activities. By using toys, games, and imagination, parents can shift the child's focus from the fear of water to the excitement of play, which helps them feel more comfortable and secure around water.

How can reading books help a child overcome their fear of water?

Reading books about water-related topics, such as swimming or bathing, can help children understand that others face similar fears and successfully overcome them. It also allows children to see water as something fun and positive through characters they can relate to.

What should parents do if their child continues to feel scared of water despite gentle exposure?

If a child continues to be scared of water despite gentle exposure, parents should consider seeking professional support. Swimming instructors or specialists can help provide structured, safe learning environments that build the child's confidence while ensuring that the child's emotional needs are met.