Parents Must Understand, Here Are 5 Reasons Why Children Are Afraid Of Water

Ilustrasi (Bii Photography/Pexels)

JAKARTA - Usually, small children are very happy if they are told to play with water. Unfortunately, not all children enjoy such a wet experience. Some of them actually chose to retreat if they had to play in the water and even shouted hysterically.

From this incident, many parents conclude that their child is afraid of water. Quoting What to Expect, Tuesday, August 17, children's fear of water is normal. This fear often occurs in infancy. The reason is, water both in the pool and in the bath is considered a scary foreign object.

So, what causes your little one to feel that way? Well, as reported by the Parenting page, this is the reason why your little one is afraid to play in water.

Ignorance

Actually, not knowing what actions to take when your little one is in a pool of water is what causes them to seem afraid of water. For this reason, parents need to teach adaptation slowly if they invite their children to soak in the pool. Just demonstrate what they have to do and continue to accompany your little one until they are able to adapt themselves, yes.

Bad experience

Another reason why children are afraid of water is that they have experienced trauma with water. Like, ever slipping in a bathtub, having difficulty breathing when submerging your face in the water, to the pounding of hard waves that accidentally hit your little one's body while playing on the beach. One bad experience causes a prolonged period of fear.

Imagination

Children's fear of water can arise from their imagination that there are monsters or beasts under the sea underwater that will pull their legs while swimming or there are holes that can suck their bodies when bathing in the tub. If this is the reason, explain slowly to your little one that such creatures don't really exist. Turn the sight of a monster into a cute doll or a fun imaginary animal.

Fear of Bathing

Fear of water or the term aquaphobia is generally caused by a fear of water submerging the head. Because in the head area there are sensitive senses. So that the little one is afraid to feel uncomfortable when the senses have to be submerged in water.

Different World

The atmosphere underwater is actually different from the surface. Underwater, the sound is muffled and the scenery is different. Some sounds will sound louder, for example, your own breathing and heartbeat. All these differences make the child so anxious that they refuse to play in the water.