Kids Alive - Do the Five! Learn To Swim

	3. Learn To Swim
	Free Water Safety Lessons:
	This summer to combat drowning, Laurie Lawrence will use the internet, to give five free water safety lessons to all parents across Australia. The five free lessons are designed for parents with children under the age of five and are communicated via an online interactive learning program. *Click Here for your 5 Free Water Safety Lessons*
	Learning to swim has many benefits for our children. It’s great for their health and well being, it enhances their self esteem and importantly teaches them a respect for water. While children are capable of being independently mobile in the water from a very young age, they must never be left unsupervised. No child is drown proof. I believe parents should enroll in learn to swim programs that encourage:
	Developmentally Appropriate Learning
	• Developmentally appropriate learning means choosing swimming activities that correlate to children’s growth and development on land

Learning Without Floatation Devices
• It is my belief that floatation devices are suitable while supervising children in a play environment • Flotation devices including back bubbles and arm bands should not enter the realm of the formal learn to swim lesson • Children must feel buoyancy and the floating sensation to learn to swim
Maximum Practice Time
• Maximum practice time is essential for skill acquisition • Make sure that your lesson focuses on swimming activities like breath control, submersion, floating and propulsion • Children should not move on until they master the prerequisite skill • Games and songs should always have a swimming related purpose
Homogeneous Grouping
• Homogenous grouping means that children are booked into a class according to their age and or ability level • In this instance we can cater to children’s individual differences and promote maximum practice time as the whole class moves together
Parental Involvement
• Parental involvement is essential for a safe, secure and productive learning environment • I believe the parent should accompany the child in the lesson until 4 years • While children can learn to swim long before this age, children need constant manipulation and direction to develop great swimming skills • Parental involvement also allows for maximum practice time in the lesson • Furthermore, parental involvement teaches children that they aren’t allowed to swim without being accompanied by mum and dad
Remember:
Kids Alive – Do the five!
1. Fence the pool 2. Shut the gate 3. Teach your kids to swim - it's great 4. Supervise - watch your mate and 5. Learn how to resuscitate
Contact your local swim school for information on classes. Check that the swim school you are contacting is certified by Swim Australia to ensure it meets national guidelines in teaching. Contact Swim Australia on (07) 3376 0933 for further information.
Laurie Lawrence Swim School
For more information about a Laurie Lawrence Swim School please contact:
BRISBANE LLSS Underwood 284 Millers Road Underwood, 4119 PH: (07) 33 417 260	GOLD COAST LLSS Helensvale Rugby Lane Helensvale, 4212 PH: (07) 55 735 797	GOLD COAST LLSS Mudgeeraba Crn Robert & School St Mudgeeraba, 4213 PH: (07) 55 305 288

World Wide Swim School
The World Wide Swim School has been designed to teach children of all ages and abilities to swim over the internet. Designed to share 40 years of swimming teaching techniques that have taken raw beginners to Olympic medalists. Uses interactive technology and high definition video streaming to educate parents, teachers and swim school owner/operators.


Kids Alive is a community service program

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