WSI Orientation In-Service Introducing... WSI Orientation In-Service Updated Sept 05

What’s New ? Program Redesign and Restructuring SAFETY Reduce the number of water-related injuries and drownings EMPOWERMENT Offer a lifetime of opportunity for aquatic experiences HEALTH AND FITNESS Promote swimming as part of a healthy, active lifestyle To respond to new market trends, Red Cross has broadened its initial injury prevention focus to three well-defined goals.

Three core content areas In response to market trends, Red Cross Swim focuses on: Skills and Water Safety Swimming Fitness Activities Actively teaching safety Building strokes through progressions and drills Distance swims, butterfly and side stroke drills, focus on personal improvement Using our market research we have enhanced the focus on Swimming and Water Safety to include a stronger emphasis on fitness as part of a holistic approach to learning how to swim and be safe in, on and around the water.

Red Cross Swim Preschool 7-level program for children from 4 months to 5 years of age Whale Mascot for each level For engaging and fun learning (through activities and songs) Crocodile Starfish 7 Levels The first two levels (Starfish and Duck) are parented; Sea Turtle is a transition level as it can be parented or unparented. Salamander, Sunfish, Crocodile and Whale can be run parented or unparented based on what works at your pool. Skills & Water Safety, Swimming, Fitness Activities Parents want preschoolers to acquire skills Water Safety is still top reason given by parents for lessons Increasing fitness in all children is a growing need Lesson Plans, Mascots, Songs Instructors and Authorized Providers wanted teaching resources for preschoolers Psychologists encourage the use of animals for teaching preschoolers to reduce fears Sunfish Duck Salamander Sea Turtle

Red Cross Swim Kids 10-level program for children ages 6 years and up Allows kids to strive for and reach their personal best Seamless progression from one level to the next, based on swimmer’s development All 6 strokes and swimming techniques while building endurance and embracing a healthy lifestyle Water Safety actively taught Learn alongside peers in a fun and encouraging environment Red Cross Swim Kids has 10 Levels According to our research, parents’ top reasons for enrolling kids in lessons were: Drowning prevention Safety around water Learn to swim Fun Skills & Water Safety Reduced theory, focus on active and applied Instructors needed to reduce ‘time spent on deck’ Focus on active and APPLIED Water Safety: For example, a swimmer will not spend time learning about the difference between a Lifejacket and PFD; instead they learn about the benefits of wearing a Lifejacket and/or PFD; and when and why to wear it. And then they will apply this learning during the class. Active and Applied. Swimming Front Crawl, Back Crawl, Elementary Back, Breast Stroke Need to streamline progressions, clarify stroke standards and emphasize corrective methods at Instructor level Fitness Activities Includes kicking drills, distance swims, butterfly, side stroke, sculling, eggbeater Our program already improves physical fitness, but we need to have the right tools to reposition this in the mind of the parent to encourage continued participation through to completion of all 10 levels of the Red Cross Swim Kids program. Parents identified fitness as the 5th main reason for enrolling their kids in swimming (after drowning prevention, safety around water, swimming properly and fun) Parents value recognition for achievements (personal best stickers help to do this).

Red Cross Swim Preschool Preschool Products 1. Progress Booklet – valuable tool for feedback and gathering rewards 2. Completion stickers (one per level) – fun and motivating incentive across the program

Red Cross Swim Preschool Preschool Products (cont.) 3. Participation sticker – acknowledgement tool if completion is not applicable 4. Red Cross Swim News (one per level, available online) – information for parents on what to expect in this level and the next, with practical tips)

Red Cross Swim Kids Kids Products 1. Progress Card – valuable feedback tool (8 panels) 2. Recognition badges (one per level) – motivating incentive across the program

Red Cross Swim Kids Kids Products (cont.) 3. Personal Best Sticker, Distance (optional or participation) – for levels 1-5 to record participant’s longest swim 4. Personal Best Sticker, Time (optional or participation) – for levels 6-10 to record participant’s fastest time 5. Completion medal (optional) – reward for the successful completion of Level 10 6. Completion certificate (optional) – reward for the successful completion of Level 10

Red Cross Swim Kids Kids Products (cont.) 7. Red Cross Swim News (one per level, available online) – information for parents on what to expect in this level and the next, with practical tips

What’s New in Instructor Training? Program Redesign and Restructuring Phase 1 Phase 2 Optional Upgrade Assistant Water Safety Instructor Course Water Safety Instructor Course Water Safety Instructor Trainer Course Our goal is to create greater value for Instructors as they go through the certification process. Two-stage integrated Instructor Development program: The two phases employ a co-op approach, used by many post-secondary institutions, to better prepare individuals and develop job readiness. 1st stage builds knowledge and skills required to teach. This allows participants to practice teach and give them more hands-on experience prior to certification. The 2 stages offer a focused progression. The 2 stages are built from each other to avoid duplication. Completion of the 2nd stage results in certification as a WSI. Our goal is to develop top quality deck ready instructors

Instructor Development Program Levels Teaching Experience New Resource Material Assistant Water Safety Instructor (30 hours) Assistant WSI (8 hours) Flexible delivery AWSI manual Stroke Chart Lesson Plans Water Safety Instructor (25 hours) WSI (12 hours) WSI Manual with teaching strategy chapter Water Safety Instructor Trainer (20 hours) AWSI and WSI courses WSIT Manual AWSI and WSI Facilitator Guide Assistant Water Safety Instructors and Water Safety Instructors: Time required to produce quality Instructors needs to be broken out into two steps to increase absorption Certified Assistant WSI apply teaching skills. Upon successful completion AWSIs can teach under the direct supervision of a WSI. Direct supervision is defined as actively involved with the class, in the water with the AWSI. New resource materials Manuals geared to candidate age group and linked directly to course Authorized Providers & Instructors valued content from strategy cards but current format was not used on deck frequently. Our solution was to put it into the manual and create an index to support Instructor use of the strategies. Lesson plans provide new Instructors with practical tested teaching strategies WSITs Gain the knowledge, skills, and experience to train Assistant Water Safety Instructors and Water Safety Instructors Leadership and expertise to champion the development of quality, deck-ready instructors Encourages Instructors to use self-reflection to develop and promote values that are consistent with the Swimming and Water Safety Program.

Assistant Water Safety Instructor AWSI Products 1. AWSI Manual - resource for during and after the course; CD-ROM with 170 lesson plans included 2. Strokes Chart - stroke correction resource (14 panels)

Water Safety Instructor WSI Products Program builds onto AWSI Manual focuses on new topics topics – instructional emergency response skills, stroke development, drills, and corrective strategies

Swim with the best!