Make a Difference and Save Lives with Water Safety Curriculum Emma Lawrence > Kids Alive
ACA Qld Patron Laurie Lawrence, founder of ‘Kids Alive Do the Five’ Drowning Prevention Campaign, is dedicated to the welfare of Australian children and educating the community on children’s water safety. Early learning childcare educators have an opportunity to help save lives by increasing water safety awareness to the most vulnerable under-fives. Emma Lawrence water safety advocate and Managing Director of Kids Alive said she wanted to help educators incorporate water safety into the regular curriculum.
“Educators are in a unique position to impart on children information that could ultimately save their lives,” Emma said. “Making water safety fun and engaging is our passion at Kids Alive and there is a wonderful opportunity for educators to share this with children and make water safety part of everyday learning.” The need to reach children has never been more dire with Royal Life Saving Society reporting drownings in the underfives increased by 108% last year, and for every toddler drowning death approximately eight children are admitted to hospital as a result of a non-fatal drowning.
“There is a need to help families understand the dangers around their home, pool, at the beach and farm areas.” “We have all sorts of resources available including dances, songs, puppet shows, concerts and of course books. Reading is a particularly important element of our program as it is so impactful.”
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EARLY EDITION > SUMMER 2021
Kids Alive conducted research that proved 72% of parents and carers who read water safety books to under 5’s were more likely to keep water safety top of mind and modify their behaviour to act more safely around water and children.
“Reading about water safety with kids is just one part of the water safety education process but it has a big influence on both parents and kids. It is also something that can be done all year round,” Emma said.
