#USA #Washington #American Red Cross #WHALE Tales #Aquatic Safety

Get Ready for Summer Swimming Safety

As summer approaches, with its promise of sunny days and swimming activities, ensuring that children are well-versed in aquatic safety is more important than ever. The American Red Cross has recognized this need and is proud to present its revamped program, WHALE Tales, now available in Spanish. This initiative is part of their ongoing commitment to making water safety accessible to all families, especially those in Hispanic communities.

What is WHALE Tales?

WHALE Tales is an educational program aimed at young children, specifically targeting those from preschool through fifth grade. The acronym WHALE stands for Water Habits Are Learned Early, emphasizing the critical importance of instilling good water safety habits from a young age. By using engaging and age-appropriate materials, the program teaches essential safety behaviors without requiring access to a swimming pool.

According to recent studies, a staggering 45% of Hispanic children are either non-swimmers or have limited swimming ability, significantly heightening their risk of drowning. The American Red Cross is taking proactive measures to address this alarming statistic by providing content in Spanish that resonates with young audiences through new animated characters, relatable real-life scenarios, catchy rhymes, and engaging songs.

How to Implement WHALE Tales in Your Community

The WHALE Tales program is designed to be flexible and easily accessible. Educators, swimming instructors, parents, and caregivers can utilize the program to teach vital water safety lessons before the swimming season begins. The curriculum consists of short, engaging lessons adaptable to various environments such as pools, water parks, oceans, lakes, and rivers. Each lesson includes a memorable, rhyming phrase to assist children in retaining what they learn.

Available Resources:
Participants can access free downloadable resources, including lesson plans, course presentations, and interactive materials such as videos and activity sheets. Links to these resources can be found on the official American Red Cross website:

• - WHALE Tales in Spanish: CruzRojaAmericana.org/WHALE-tales-espanol
• - General Water Safety for Kids: CruzRojaAmericana.org/seguridadacuaticainfantil

These resources include helpful videos and activity sheets, as well as a discussion guide for parents and caregivers to facilitate conversations surrounding water safety.

The Impact of WHALE Tales

Connie Harvey, director of Aquatic and Survival Programs for the American Red Cross, states, "The WHALE Tales program teaches kids to develop water awareness and to make responsible decisions in and around water. This knowledge will enhance the safety and enjoyment of aquatic activities this summer."
Moreover, the WHALE Tales program traces its origins back to Wilbert E. Longfellow, a founding member of the Red Cross Lifeguarding Corps in 1914. The American Red Cross launched the first national water safety program in the United States and has since successfully reduced accidental drownings by nearly 90% over the past century.

Conclusion

In a world where water activities are a hallmark of summer fun, ensuring that our children are equipped with the proper safety skills cannot be overstated. With the American Red Cross's WHALE Tales, we have a powerful tool at our disposal to forge safer communities through education and engagement. Let us work together to prepare our children for a safe and enjoyable swimming season.

For more information on the American Red Cross and its safety programs, visit redcross.org or follow their social media channels.