Teach children water familiarisation skills.
Introducing children to water from an early age is an important step in developing lifelong water safety habits. Water familiarisation helps children feel comfortable in aquatic environments and introduces the basics of swimming, water safety, and survival skills in a fun, supportive way.
Infant aquatics and early childhood swim programs are a great way to build confidence in the water. These sessions also offer valuable bonding time for parents and children while encouraging safe behaviours around water. Children aged 6 to 36 months are introduced to simple water skills like getting their face wet, blowing bubbles, and moving through the water with help. As children grow, water confidence programs for 3 to 5-year-olds build on these foundations with more structured activities.
Remember that even a child who can swim can still drown so there is no substitute for supervision, regardless of a child's age or swimming ability.
What Does Water Familiarisation Involve?
- Gradual exposure to water in a safe and controlled environment
- Teaching simple skills such as floating, kicking, submerging, and climbing out
- Reinforcing safe behaviours, such as waiting for an adult before entering the water
- Establishing clear rules and boundaries around water — and consistently enforcing them
- Encouraging conversations about water safety at home and when visiting new aquatic environments
Help Your Child Become Water Aware
Water awareness is more than just swimming lessons. It’s about helping children understand water hazards, learn safe behaviours, and develop respect for water. Talk to your child about water safety regularly and involve them in setting rules — for example, no swimming without an adult or always walking near the pool.
Start Your Child's Water Safety Journey Today
Enrolling in a Royal Life Saving WA Infant Aquatics program or visiting an Endorsed Swim School can be the first step in your child’s water safety journey.
