New community resources to ensure water safety education for all children
- 29% of children only learn to swim during summer*
- 39% of all drownings occur before Summer months**
- Books proven to be effective for teaching children water safety principles
- To ensure water safety education is accessible to all children Kids Alive has launched a new water safety education program Frog Squad
With only 51% of children learning to swim all year round*, and a notable drop off in lessons throughout the cooler months, a new reading centric program has launched nationally to ensure more children receive vital water safety education.
Recent research conducted by Kids Alive has proven the effectiveness of teaching water safety through books; 83% of people saying books helped them recognise potential dangers and 4 out of 5 parents saying it reinforced safe behaviours around water.****
The insight led Kids Alive to develop the Frog Squad, a learning platform for community groups and early learning centres that raises the awareness of water safety by using storytelling, children’s music, active movement and multi-sensory play to engage young children.
With learn to swim numbers dropping a minimum of 20% over winter and 39% of drownings occurring in the cooler months*, the need to make sure children receive water safety awareness in all seasons is paramount.
Founder of Kids Alive and former Olympic swim coach Laurie Lawrence said last year 50% of the 16 drownings in the under 5 age group occurred at home in the bath or pool.
"These statistics underscore the urgent need for continuous water safety education, which is why we develop resources like the Frog Squad program to ensure water safety can be made a year-round topic.”
Emma Lawrence Kids Alive Operations Manager said regular exposure to water safety concepts could have a profound impact on children.
"85% of people we researched reported positive changes in children's behaviour around water after engaging with water safety messages in a book. By integrating water safety education into daily routines, parents can effectively reinforce safety messages, significantly reducing the risk of drowning incidents at home. This simple yet powerful practice can save lives.
“We want water safety education to be accessible to as many people as possible, which is why we have targeted community groups, early learning and libraries with this new program as they reach millions and millions of children each year.”
For more information about Kids Alive and to access the free online water safety training, visit https://kidsalive.com.au/videos/kids-alive-teachers-hub/.
The training is delivered online via video modules, with access to downloadable course and resource materials relevant to the industry.
Research
*SWIMSAFER Week 2023 Report SWIM Australia 1000 people.
**Royal Life Saving 2023 Drowning Report https://www.royallifesaving.com.au/research-and-policy/drowning-research/national-drowning-reports
***Kids Alive Wise Owl Book Series Evaluation Are Media Bounty Bag
Key Facts:
· 29% of children only learn to swim during summer*
· 39% of all drownings occur before Summer months**
· Books proven to be effective for teaching children water safety principles
· 83% of people saying books helped them recognise potential dangers and 4 out of 5 parents saying it reinforced safe behaviours around water.
About us:
Kids Alive is a specialist water safety education company producing free materials for the most vulnerable children under 5.
Contact details:
For interviews contact Trina McColl 0413 922 284 . [email protected]
