Kids Alive launches new training hub to support ECEC educators to teach water safety

A new online training platform aims to reach millions of children with water safety messages by providing free specialist training for education and community specialists that work with the most at risk category for drowning, children under the age of five years.

Kids Alive developed the program and has launched three training hubs, including one designed to support early childhood educators specifically.

The timing of the campaign launch recognises that the number of children engaged in learning to swim courses drops by 20 per cent in the cooler months. 

Kids Alive founder Laurie Lawrence told local media source The Esperance Express that it was common practice for families to take a break from learning to swim in autumn and winter but that risks were present year round. 

“We need to make water safety and learn to swim a year-round activity and education opportunity, which is why we created these training sessions,” he added. 

Kids Alive national operations manager Emma Lawrence created the material in conjunction with industry experts across all sectors.

“Our aim is to reach more children through their typical place of learning including childcare, library storytime sessions, playgroups and schools,” she told the paper. “Libraries, for example, see over 3 million little ones a year so just imagine if we were able to share water safety messages directly through this channel alone.”

Ms Lawrence said the programs were well received with 1500 early childhood centres, 85 libraries and 9 schools completing the training already.

The training is delivered online via video modules, with access to downloadable course and resource materials relevant to the industry/sector covered in the training. 

EYLF outcomes have been used to guide the training for educators, with the initiative also being aligned with the Australian Water Safety Strategy 2030 by supporting the availability of education to the at-risk birth to four year old cohort. 

“Resources are tight for water safety, especially in regional areas, so this training is open to everyone and enables a community to take charge with educating children via a variety of channels. We hope to see more and more uptake of the Kids Alive training and more families aware of the dangers and how to combat them,” Mr Laurence said. 

The free training can be accessed at www.kidsalive.com.au via the Teachers Hub tab. Kids Alive also have books, puppets, and costumes available to support the programs.

To read the original coverage of this story, see here.