I can’t get my son to swim. Dragging him around from one swimming instructor to the next, each one tells me: his fear of the water is real. We have to respect that.
And I do. I understand that he is a land creature at heart. On family beach outings he builds sand castles, never wading in past his ankles. When his friends run through the sprinkler on hot summer days, he keeps to the edge so that water doesn’t get in his eyes. In the bathtub, he can’t wash his hair without covering his face with a washcloth.
But not learning how to swim is not an option. Rationally, he understands. But that doesn’t make him any less afraid when he edges closer to the water.
Do you know what does boost his courage? Seeing other kids being brave. Those boys jumping off the high dive? They don’t look so scared, he observes. It is a first step towards imagining that he can do it himself.
I can also see the tangible benefits of reading him stories about kids in scary situations. Venturing into the deep, dark forest, outwitting monsters with cunning, pushing beyond ones imaginable limits – hearing these stories about children who are afraid but overcome their own fears gives him a sense of courage.
Fairy tales – offering an ample supply of villains and challenges to be overcome – are a great way to boost children’s confidence. These folk tales have been teaching children for centuries. But how do you find the right tale for the right situation? The Three Little Pigs, for example, might be useful to teach children the value of hard work, but it is not going to get my son in the water.
That’s where PonyApps’ Fairy Tale Kingdoms tool comes in (https://www.saturnanimation.com/fairy-tales).
Guiding parents through a series of “kingdoms” – or categories – it helps them navigate through the magical world of fairy tales. The three kingdoms – Heart, Commitment, and Great Feats – help pinpoint your search for the right story at the right time.
As for me, I think I’ll start by looking into the Kingdom of Great Feats, so I can help my son conquer his fear of the water. Which kingdom will you visit with your child?
Can reading fairy tales help my son learn to swim?
About the Author: Genine Babakian
I love a good story, whether I'm reading, writing or telling them. I've made my living by the pen for more decades than I care to admit, working as a journalist and an editor for the U.N. and international organizations. A mother of three, I love bedtime, when I get to read with my children.
