If you have to teach someone to swim, you should know the steps to use for any situation.
I have to teach a 5 year old child who has been abused in the past, to swim. He screams every time he gets near a pool. I have kiddie pools. Any suggestions on how i can slowly get him to get into the pool?
Habe some kids his age jump in the pool simple
I wonder why you "have to" teach him to swim.
If he is that afraid of the pool due to past abuse, you should refuse to teach him until his parents get him counseling.
You have no idea what it is about the pool that causes him to react that way, so trying to figure out a way to desensitize him to something that is NOT a factor may well do more harm than good.
Tell the parent's he's not ready yet. This situation is this is probably above your competence---it would certainly be above mine.