World Mental Health Day: Why Emotions Matter in the Pool
As we approach World Mental Health Day on October 10th, it’s the perfect opportunity to remind ourselves of the importance of nurturing emotional well-being, especially in children. For swimming teachers, the pool is not just a place to learn strokes; it's also a space where feelings and emotions can be explored and understood.
Why Incorporate Emotions into Swimming Lessons?
Swimming can sometimes evoke strong feelings in children—whether it’s excitement, nervousness, or even fear. By acknowledging these emotions during lessons, we can help children develop emotional intelligence. This means they’ll learn to recognise and process their feelings, both in and out of the water.
For example, a child might feel anxious about trying a new skill or nervous about swimming without support. By talking openly about these emotions and reassuring them that it’s okay to feel this way, we are creating a supportive environment that nurtures not just physical development but mental well-being too.
How to Incorporate Emotions into Your Lessons
One way to help children express and process their feelings is through games and activities that reference different emotions. You could use simple exercises like asking children to swim like they’re feeling joyful, tired, or a bit scared. These playful activities give children the space to connect with their emotions and understand that all feelings are valid.
When children see that it’s okay to say, "I’m feeling a bit scared," or "I don’t understand this yet," they become more confident in asking for help. This helps them learn that processing emotions is a part of life—and that there’s nothing wrong with needing support when they're feeling unsure.
Teachers’ Mental Health Matters Too
It’s also important to remember that swimming teachers are human too. Teaching can be a demanding job, both physically and mentally, and it’s crucial to be aware of your own emotions. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or anxious, don’t push those feelings aside. Taking time to check in with yourself and manage your mental health will not only benefit you but also your swimmers.
Children look up to their teachers, and one of the most powerful ways to connect with them is by sharing your own experiences. If you’ve felt nervous before a competition or anxious about learning something new, let them know. It helps children feel heard, respected, and reassured that even adults have emotions they need to process. This can build trust and make them more comfortable expressing their own feelings.
Acknowledging Emotions Builds Resilience
Incorporating emotions into swimming lessons does more than help children feel understood—it builds resilience. Children who learn that it’s okay to talk about their feelings are better equipped to handle challenges and setbacks, both in the water and in everyday life.
As swimming teachers, it's helpful to add a few extra tools to our "teacher toolkit" to support the emotional needs of our swimmers. Incorporating visual aids like emotion charts or images can be a great way to help children identify and express how they’re feeling. These charts can show different facial expressions or colours representing emotions like happiness, nervousness, or frustration. Having these available by the poolside gives children an easy way to point out how they feel, especially if they struggle to find the right words.
Using puppets or soft toys can also be a comforting approach, especially for younger children. Sometimes, speaking through a puppet helps children open up about their feelings in a way that feels less direct or intimidating.
In addition, mindfulness strategies—such as simple breathing exercises or short moments of stillness—can help calm children who may feel anxious or overwhelmed. You might take a minute to have them float quietly in the water, focusing on slow, deep breaths. This not only soothes their nerves but teaches them tools they can use in other stressful situations.
These small yet impactful techniques can provide a calming, supportive approach when a swimmer needs it most, helping them feel safe and understood in the pool.
So this World Mental Health Day, let’s make it a point to bring feelings and emotions into our lessons. Not only will it help our swimmers thrive, but it will create a healthier, more supportive environment for everyone in the pool.
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