Water Safety school resource for assemblies and classroom discussions hereAs summer approaches and the weather gets warmer, lots of us may be spending more time in and around water, whether it’s the sea, lakes, rivers or reservoirs. However, recent news has highlighted the hidden dangers that bodies of water can pose. So, ahead of Drowning Prevention Week starting from 13th June, this blog shares ideas for how primary schools can develop children’s understanding of water safety, and encourage ways to enjoy water safely.How to build Early Years children’s understanding of water safetyWater safety learning for very young children can take a proactive approach, considering how as adults we can support children to feel safe, familiar and confident in water. Our friends at Water Babies have shared their top tips for parents and educators on building water skills for children aged 0-4. Water Babies advise:Start swimming lessons as early as possible.Make bath-time fun to develop water familiarity and confidence.Always keep an eye on children, and be aware of your surroundings when close to bodies of water.Kit children out in safety gear (e.g., life jackets) but remember that floatation devices are not life preservers.Wear bright swimwear colours to better locate each other in and around water. Learn Basic Life Support in case anyone gets into difficulty in water.Check out the Water Babies blog on summer safety tips here.How to build primary-aged children's understanding of water safetyAs children get older, their curiosity for the wider world and places like beaches or parks with rivers may grow. To bring water safety to life in school, why not try: Introduce and explain the Water Safety CodeKeeping ourselves safe often starts with learning and gaining knowledge first. The Royal Life Saving Society created the Water Safety Code to help people know what to do if they get into difficulty in water.Share the code with children in assembly or during a classroom discussion:Stop and Think - Before going near water, take a moment to look for any dangers.Stay Together - Always stay with adults when you’re near water. Float - If you fall into water, stay calm, float on your back and control your breathing.Call for Help - If someone is in trouble, tell an adult or call the emergency services (999 in the UK).Can the children say why each part matters? What can you create together in school to help children remember the code? Can you make posters or start a water safety campaign within your local community?Look at examples of water safety togetherFor example, show images of people spending time in and around water.Challenge the children to spot which images show good practice, e.g., lifeguards are present, children are with adults, people are wearing life jackets, or staying in safe areas. On examples where water safety could be improved, can the children say how they would make the scenario safer? This will support children to put their water safety learning into practice, applying their knowledge to real situations. It also offers you the opportunity to identify areas where their safety skills could be developed, sparking new discussions and lessons. Learn the RNLI’s flagsFor many children, they may encounter RNLI flags rarely when visiting the seaside, so having knowledge of why the flags are there can empower children to consider the safety of themselves and others when spending time near the sea.Part of your activity, introduce each RNLI flag and share what each one symbolises. Can the children come back to the flags later in the day and recall what they learned?Making this activity pupil-led, by challenging the children to research and teach one another what the flags symbolise, is another good way to boost engagement and reinforce learning about the safety flags.Talk about keeping each other safe and peer pressure Older children, particularly upper Key Stage Two or children in secondary school, may find themselves with their friend groups close to bodies of water. Sometimes, peer pressure and excitement around friends can mean children may be more likely to take unsafe actions around water, without fully thinking about the hidden dangers or consequences.Use this as an opportunity to discuss peer pressure, the importance of looking out for each other and keeping one another safe. Let children know that it’s okay to say no or to contact an adult if they feel unsafe or uncomfortable. The Royal Life Saving Society’s ‘Speak Up. Be A Mate’ campaign may support you with these conversations. Water Safety Special Resource for Primary Schools As 13th - 19th June is Drowning Prevention Week, we’ve created a teaching resource to spread the message of water safety within assemblies and classroom discussions this term.The resource focuses on the Water Safety Code, including what it is and why it’s important. Through discussion and visual learning, children are invited to consider the big question, ‘How can we enjoy water safely?’Tap the link below to get the free Water Safety Special Resource. Water Safety school resource for assemblies and classroom discussions hereUseful water safety links for teachers and parents The Royal Life Saving Society and the RNLI have plenty of safety advice, including resources for children and school workshops. Water Safety for Teenagers information and advice – RLSS Speak Up. Be A Mate water safety campaign – RLSS Summer Safety for Young Children – Water Babies
