For Educators

Ready-to-teach classroom packages

Each package has three short lessons with teacher scripts, picture cards, activity sheets, an observation checklist and a family note. Every activity is done on dry land, with no pool or water.

Guidance for your setting

Why water safety belongs at school

According to the CDC, more children ages 1 to 4 die from drowning than from any other cause of death, and for children ages 5 to 14 drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury death after motor vehicle crashes (CDC, Drowning Facts). The CDC also notes that drowning happens in seconds and is often silent (CDC, Preventing Drowning).

Schools and child care programs can reach children whose families may not have talked about water safety at home.

Five messages for every age

These run through every page in this section. The wording changes by age; the ideas stay the same.

1. A grown-up is always watching. The CDC advises designating a responsible adult to supervise closely and constantly when children are in or near water, including bathtubs (CDC). For young children, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends staying within arm's length, which it calls "touch supervision" (AAP, HealthyChildren.org).
2. Ask first, every time. The American Red Cross advises teaching children to always ask permission to go near water (American Red Cross).
3. Life jackets for open water; toys are not safety gear. The AAP says children should always wear life jackets in, on or near lakes and rivers, and that floaties, water wings and inflatable toys do not prevent drowning (AAP).
4. Learning to swim helps, and supervision still matters. Formal swimming lessons can reduce the risk of drowning, and children who have had lessons still need close and constant supervision (CDC). Swim lessons don't make kids "drown proof" (AAP).
5. Get help; don't go in. Children through grade 3 stop, stay back and shout for a grown-up; they never go in, reach or throw. From grade 2 they also learn when to call 911, and from grade 4 to help only from land by reaching or throwing something that floats: "reach or throw, don't go" (American Red Cross). In-water rescue is for lifeguards and other trained rescuers.

Materials from national organizations

WaterWiseKids is not affiliated with these organizations. Each publishes water safety materials you can explore.

• American Red Cross, Longfellow's WHALE Tales: a free course that can be taught without a pool, including by a school teacher. The Red Cross's free outreach resources are available after registering as an Aquatic Leader and completing a simple orientation to the materials. The same page lists an educator toolkit and a K–12 scope and sequence. Red Cross teaching resources
• Pool Safely (U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission): a Kids' Corner with a song, an app and activities, plus a materials library. poolsafely.gov
• National Drowning Prevention Alliance: ndpa.org
• Josh the Otter: joshtheotter.org

Printables to send home

Both classroom packages include a one-page family note with what children practiced and what grown-ups can do, with sources. Print it from the pre-K package or the kindergarten package.

Using WaterWiseKids at your school?

Tell us what you teach and what would help. Contact us.