When you choose the Red Cross Swim Preschool program, you’re getting:
- A program based on research
- Proven excellence in teaching
- Age-appropriate learning through games and songs
- A focus on your child’s safety and comfort
8-level program for children 4 months to 6 years of age
Give your child the gift of aquatic fun and swimming at an early age. Songs, games and introductory swimming skills will make your child comfortable and happy in the water. Each level is built around an aquatic animal mascot, which makes lessons engaging and fun. The instructor uses progressive teaching techniques adapted to each child and provides constant feedback and encouragement.
Parents / caregivers will participate in the classes with their child for the first two or three levels depending on the facility. Children enter a level based on their age and abilities.
Red Cross Swim Preschool Program
Starfish
Age: 4-12 months
- Orientation to water for babies and their parent/caregiver.
- To enter this level, babies must be able to hold their head up.
- The goals are to help babies experience buoyancy and movement through songs and play in the water and to teach the parent/caregiver age-specific water safety.
- This level is participation-based only, without formal evaluation.
Duck
Age: 12-24 months
- Orientation to water for toddlers and their parent/caregiver
- Age is the only condition for entering this level.
- Swimmers learn how to use floating objects for support and explore different water movements through games, songs and active water play. The parent / caregiver also learns age-specific water safety.
- This level is participation-based only, without formal evaluation.
Sea Turtle
Age: 24-36 months
- Orientation to water for toddlers and their parent/caregiver. May also be offered in unparented format.
- Age is the only condition for entering this level.
- Swimmers learn, through fun games and songs, how to combine skills, how to kick with a buoyant object and how to perform basic floats, glides and kicks.
- This level is participation-based only, without formal evaluation.
Sea Otter
Age: 3-5 years
- Transition level that transfers the preschooler to the care of the Instructor.
- All skills are assisted by the Instructor.
- Swimmers enter this level when they are 3 years of age.
- Using games and activities, swimmers learn to open their eyes under water, further develop basic floats and glides, and swim 1 metre. they also learn age-appropriate water safety skills.
- Swimmers are evaluated based on performance criteria and progress to Salamander once all criteria have been successfully completed.
Salamander
Age: 3-5 years
- Swimmers enter this level when they have successfully completed Sea Otter.
- Using games and activities, swimmers learn to swim 2 metres, further develop basic floats and increase their distance on front and back glide.
- Front swim and roll-over glide are also included, and swimmers learn appropriate water safety skills such as how to jump into chest-deep water and how to use a life jacket / Personal Flotation Device (PFD).
- Safety skills development includes water orientation, safe entries and exits and only swimming when an adult is present.
- Swimmers are evaluated based on performance criteria and progress to Sunfish once all criteria have been successfully completed.
Sunfish
Age: 3-6 years
- Swimmers enter this level when they have successfully completed Salamander.
- Using games and activities, swimmers learn to swim 5 metres, increase their distance using buoyant objects, increase their front and back glide with kick, and develop their roll-over glide, side glide and front swim. Safety skills include deep-water skills and use of a lifejacket/Personal Flotation Device (PFD).
- Safety skills development such as water orientation, safe entries and exits and always asking for permission before going near the water.
- Swimmers are evaluated based on performance criteria and progress to Crocodile once all criteria have been successfully completed.
Crocodile
Age: 3-6 years
- Swimmers enter this level when they have successfully completed Sunfish.
- Through games and other fun activities, swimmers learn to swim 5 metres on their front and back, perform a dolphin kick and begin using rhythmic breathing. They also progress with kicking drills and increase their swimming distance to 10 metres.
- Safety skills include jumping into deep water and performing surface support for 10 seconds, recognizing when a swimmer needs help and using a lifejacket/Personal Floatation Device (PFD) in deep water.
- Swimmers are evaluated based on performance criteria and progress to Whale once all criteria have been successfully completed.
Whale
Age: 3-6 years
- Swimmers enter this level when they have successfully completed Crocodile.
- Through fun activities, swimmers perform a front and back swim for 10 metres. Swimmers work on developing their flutter kick and perform a distance swim on 15 metres.
- Safety skills include identifying safe swimming areas, jumping into deep water, swimming 5m, surface support for 20 seconds, a return to safety, throwing assists and sitting dives.
- Swimmers are evaluated based on performance criteria and complete the program once all criteria have been achieved. Children 5 years or older are ready for the appropriate level of Red Cross Swim Kids.
Red Cross Swim can also be modified for swimmers with disabilities, please check with your facility.
Your child may also have the opportunity to attempt swimming in clothing, which will teach children how to survive unintentional falls into water-one of the leading caused of drowning for this age group.
Red Cross swimming programs support the Canadian Sport for Life long-term participant development model. Learning to swim with Red Cross Swim provides the swimmer with the confidence to participate in a range of sports such as sailing, water polo, diving, canoeing, white water paddling, synchronized swimming, and competitive swimming as well as pursue careers in aquatics, search and rescue, law enforcement, etc.
SWIMMING LESSONS: Call 780-354-2203 for information.
Participation in Red Cross Swim Preschool may qualify you for the federal Children’s Fitness Tax Credit.