October 1, 2025

By Evis McDonagh, Turtle Tots Wicklow

Has your toddler hit the brakes when it comes to participating in lessons? If you have a toddler who suddenly wants nothing to do with swimming and it’s been going on for more than a few weeks, it can be tough. You’re probably getting frustrated or anxious, but believe me, you’re not alone. Nearly every toddler has a water wobble at some point. Over the years we’ve seen so many different swimmers, and truly they all are so special and unique! Toddlers are so much fun, but it can be a challenging time when ‘no’ is their new favourite word and your investment in lessons feels like money down the drain.

My 10 Top Tips

Here at TT we have a lot of tricks up our sleeve to get kids back on track. Not every idea will work for every child, and so you might need to try a few suggestions before one works. Here are my best tips you might find helpful to help your toddler participating in lessons again.

1. Toddlers love to play, so use as many games, toys and songs as you can think of. All our skills can be taught in a fun way, which helps them learn without even realizing it. Find your own inner child and play too – pull faces, have the craic, sing along, and enjoy yourself. Kids find it irresistible!
2. Lead by example, show no fear, and participate in our activities yourself. Show your little one how you kick your legs, blow bubbles, and go underwater. If it’s floats or woggles they don’t like, use them yourself without forcing the same on them. Be an actor and make a show of how great something is -for example, keep a smile on your face after your dip underwater instead of scrunching up your face or wiping your eyes. For kids, seeing is believing.
3. If what they need in that moment is a hug, then by all means give them one. But as you cuddle, try to position yourself so that they can look out over your shoulder and still observe their classmates. Once they’re feeling more calm, and without any pressure to participate themselves, they can observe what other kids are doing. It just might encourage them to be braver next time.
4. Try to be near a classmate who enjoys the activity you’re struggling with. Toddlers are inspired by each other, and love to copy and compete. If there is another child who doesn’t like the same activity as your own kid, try not to stand too close to them for the same reason.
5. If your kid doesn’t like getting their face wet yet, then don’t stand near or swim too close behind the splashy kid (there’s always one).
6. Patience is key! However frustrated you may feel, don’t force your toddler to do something once they’ve said no. Still ask them every week, but also support their choice and be understanding. There is a reason for their feelings, even if they can’t communicate it or it doesn’t make sense to us.
7. Believe in that moment that they are truly doing their best. They are. Celebrate every little effort they make in the right direction.
8. We all know toddlers can be LOUD when they’re giving out, and it can make parents feel self-conscious. Whilst it’s a good idea to take a step back when things get too heated, do return to the group after and don’t stand on the edge. Trust us, absolutely everyone there knows you’re doing your parenting best and we’ve ALL had those moments, so don’t be embarrassed.
9. Sometimes, it’s nothing to do with swimming at all! Changes in routine like sleep, a new sibling, starting creche, or moving home often have a knock-on effect. You might find that as things settle in to a new routine at home, their joy returns in the pool too.
10. Give them time! They will get over this wobble, it’s just sometimes takes longer than you think.

Getting Out The Other Side

Always remember that your toddler is a little person, with their own mind, character and feelings. Listen to them, and validate how they feel ❤️. By building their trust in you, in turn they’re more inclined to believe it’s not a trick the next time you ask something new of them. Once they’ve made peace with what’s bothering them, they’ll become unstoppable little sharks in the water! Every scenario is different too. We love to help with advice, and always have time after class for a quiet conversation when you need it.