How to help toddler become more brave?

My baby just turned 2 years old. I don't know since when he has developed a fear of swimming. We took him swimming once when he was a little baby, maybe less than a year old, he seems to love it and now when we want to take him again, he keeps crying in the water. Also, I can see when he is in the playroom, he is afraid of the other kids running, he is kinda timid. He runs around a lot, but doesn't really want to play with other kids, and is even slightly afraid of other kids. Is this normal? How do I help him to become more brave? Also, I get really angry when big kids running around in the play room knock him over on the floor. Am I being too protective as a mother?

jingaling, it's not about brave or not brave, in my opinion at least!


Your baby didn't know and wasn't aware so much before this period of time..... just turning two now, he's more aware of his surroundings, and his own personality and character is just developing.... also many moments, he will be in his toddler temperament. During this time, children at this age have their "terrible twos" moments b/c they actually don't know what they want .... and cannot express it accurately.


The only thing you can do is to protect from (physcially) from not getting hurt.... I do it too b/c my daughter is petite for her age. But you can encourage him to try new activities, and in a new surroundings, keep smiling, and let him feel more secure until he settles in.


This phase will change... when he's about 2 and half or 3 years old, in a class setting, he will learn to play and interact with other children.


Good luck !

Is he having swimming lessons or are you just taking him in the pool? I stopped swimming lessons because my little boy hated it (cried/ shrieked etc.) but he loves just going down the pool with his mummy/ daddy and hanging out and playing in the shallow end. Buy him a little blow up boat that he can sit in and some toys and let him chill in the shallows (supervised of course).

Thanks all!