Purpose

To familiarize young children (from ages 6 months to about 3 years) to the water and prepare them to learn to swim in the American Red Cross Preschool Aquatics or Learn-to-Swim courses. It is not designed to teach children to become good swimmers or to survive in the water on their own.

Prerequisites

�� No skill prerequisites

�� Child must be at least 6 months old to enroll

�� Parent or other caregiver must accompany each child into the water and participate in each class

Learning Objectives

�� Learn to ask for permission before entering the water.

�� Learn how to enter and exit the water in a safe manner.

�� Feel comfortable in the water.

�� Explore submerging to the mouth, nose and eyes completely.

�� Explore buoyancy on the front and back position.

�� Change body position in the water with support.

�� Learn basic water safety rules and how to avoid water hazards around the home.

�� Learn about the importance of wearing a life jacket and experience wearing one.

�� Learn how to stay safe in, on and around the water, including knowing how to stay safe in the sun and how to avoid recreational water illnesses.

�� Learn how to call for help and the importance of knowing first aid and CPR.