#USA #Washington #Red Cross #water safety #WHALE Tales

Prepare Your Kids for a Safe Swim Season

As summer approaches, ensuring the safety of children around water becomes crucial. The American Red Cross has taken a significant step by revamping its Longfellow's WHALE Tales Water Safety for Children program, now accessible in Spanish. This initiative aims to equip kids from kindergarten through 5th grade with essential water safety skills, making sure they are prepared for a fun and safe summer.

What is the WHALE Tales Program?

The WHALE Tales program stands for "Water Habits Are Learned Early," and is designed to educate children about safety around water. This program is particularly necessary as recent research highlights that about 45% of Hispanic/Latino children are reportedly lacking swimming skills, which escalates their risk of drowning incidents. By providing crucial safety information in Spanish, the Red Cross ensures that language is not a barrier in empowering families with knowledge to keep their kids safe.

Language Accessibility and Community Engagement

The decision to transcreate the WHALE Tales materials for Spanish-speaking communities stems from the Red Cross's commitment to inclusivity. Alex Villa, the Red Cross director of Latino Engagement, emphasized the importance of providing resources that are accessible to all community members. This effort allows for more families to engage in important discussions about water safety, helping prevent potential tragedies where children are involved in water activities.

How Does WHALE Tales Work?

The WHALE Tales initiative features fun and engaging lessons centered around key water safety principles. Educators, swim instructors, and parents can easily teach these lessons, which are designed to be colorful, entertaining, and age-appropriate. Each lesson includes catchy rhymes that help children remember critical safety practices, applicable in various water environments - from pools and lakes to oceans and rivers.

Resources for Parents and Educators

Both educators and parents are encouraged to access free downloadable resources that include lesson plans, engaging activity sheets, videos, and guides that cover these vital water safety lessons. These resources are available on the Red Cross website, allowing both professionals and caregivers to educate children effectively before the swimming season kicks off. Whether you're leading a class or teaching your child at home, tools like the WHALE Tales program can significantly enhance safety awareness among young ones.

The Impact of Water Safety Education

With the implementation of the WHALE Tales program, children are not just learning fun rhymes and songs; they are also absorbing lessons on making smart decisions around water. These skills are invaluable, with a direct impact on how safely they can navigate water-related activities. Connie Harvey, director of Aquatics Centennial and Survival Programs for the Red Cross, mentioned that the program contributes greatly to safer summer adventures, promoting responsible and informed engagement with water.

The Legacy of Red Cross and Water Safety

The Red Cross has a long history of water safety education, having reduced accidental drownings nearly 90% over the past century. It’s meaningful to recognize that the foundational efforts in lifesaving education began with Commodore Wilbert E. Longfellow in 1914, and today, the Red Cross continues to lead in aquatics training, ensuring that families have the knowledge to keep their children safe.

Conclusion

As families gear up for summertime fun, it’s essential to prioritize water safety. The revitalized WHALE Tales program not only imparts critical skills to children but also fosters a culture of safety within communities. By investing in this education and making tools readily available, the Red Cross is paving the way for a safer summer for all children, regardless of their background or language. For more information and access to resources, visit RedCross.org/WHALEtales or CruzRojaAmericana.org/WHALE-tales-espanol.