A reader reached out recently asking about her 18-month-old daughter's sudden fear of going under water. She allowed me to share her inquiry, so here's what she wrote:

"...My 18 month old who was happy in the water up until recently. Emelia was up to free floating under the water and assisted swimming. All of a sudden the past few weeks she clings and cries and won't go under. I've tried giving her incentive to go under such as toys, games etc. with no improvement aside from letting me hold her in a prone side position rather than totally clinging to me. She hasn't had any bad experiences which would cause the sudden change in behaviour. At first I thought it may be the water temperature, but she is happy wading in the toddler pools which are much colder. Any help would be appreciated! I'm starting to worry that we have totally regressed. She was doing so well!"
- Shannon

It's an excellent question, and since it's a widespread concern among parents of children who are just learning to swim and an issue that I have encountered many times with my students, I am sharing my response with you. 

When teaching an 18-month-old child to swim, it's essential to remember the common tendency for young children to suddenly resist underwater activities. 

Many parents may misinterpret this behavior as a step
backward or even a sign that the child is afraid of the water or has become resistant to learning new skills. 

However, this is almost always due to a natural desire for more control among young children. It can usually be avoided by letting your child go at their own pace and validating their emotions.

Also, by remaining calm and encouraging, you will help Emelia feel comfortable and allow her to progress at her own pace. Playing in shallow areas and fostering independence can help her feel more confident in the water and learn faster. 

In fact, spend as much time as possible in shallow water where she can be in control and feel more comfortable.

And finally, since she's resisting underwater activities, it's best to go back to basic conditioning for a while. 

But, if she doesn't enjoy water pouring over her head, try getting her to pour it over your head instead. It will help her take control of the situation, which can go a long way in helping her regain her confidence.

Through consistency and patience, you can help Emelia overcome any initial resistance and start enjoying all that swimming has to offer once again!