With education integral to the ongoing reduction of drowning rates in the most vulnerable under 5s, a new wave of interactive water safety education shows will be rolled out to early education centres across Australia this spring thanks to the continuation of the successful partnership between Kids Alive – Do the Five and Ready Set Dance (RSD).
With over 250 Ready Set Dance locations across metro and rural Australia, the program is expected to make a significant impact, bringing vital water safety messages to life through song and dance.
Last year, 15 children aged 0-4 years drowned, representing 5% of all drowning cases. While this reflects a 6% decrease from the previous year and a 25% reduction from the 10-year average, Kids Alive goal remains to bring this number to zero.*
“The steady decline in drowning rates among young children over recent years highlights the impact of ongoing public awareness, education, and advocacy initiatives,” said Kids Alive Managing Director Emma Lawrence.
“Nevertheless, this age group continues to be at significant risk, making it crucial to sustain and build upon these efforts to ensure the positive progress achieved over the past two decades remains on track.”
“Our collaboration with Ready Set Dance is key to this as it helps us make sure so many more children are exposed to water safety education in a way that’s fun, engaging, and memorable for young children. Repetition is the key,”.
Ready Set Dance Chief Creative Director Belinda Agostino expressed her pride in the partnership, highlighting the unique blend of dance and safety education.
“Our studios are thrilled to be part of such an important initiative. Through these interactive shows we can make water safety a natural part of children’s lives, blending the joy of dance with lessons that could save lives.”
The Interactive Water Safety Shows will be hosted by RSD studios at local early education centres and community groups starting September 1, continuing throughout the month. Ready Set Dance studios conduct specialised training with Kids Alive in order to deliver the safety messages.
“The show content addresses key safety water safety hazards head-on by reinforcing the importance of constant adult supervision and messages for the home, pool, farm and beach environments. Our partnership with Kids Alive enables us to bring these life-saving messages to the most vulnerable under 5s and our studio owners are passionate about helping to share them with their local community.”
Educators or community groups are encouraged to organise an Interactive Water Safety Show through their local Ready Set Dance studio.