At Water Safety Ireland, we believe it’s never too early to start learning how to be safe around water. In fact, the earlier children begin to understand water’s potential dangers, the more it fosters a healthy respect for water safety as they grow. That’s why we created our Hold Hands Water Safety programme for Early Learning and Care.

Our Hold Hands Water Safety programme was launched in 2021 and a resource pack was sent to Early Learning and Care providers across the country. These included illustrated storyboards that act as an engaging device to highlight potential water safety dangers at home, on farms, on the beach, at rivers, lakes and on holidays. These storyboards and lesson plans can be used in the classroom or even as an activity to do at home!

At the heart of the programme is a very simple idea. That children should always hold an adult’s hand near water. By getting children to do this one thing, it will save lives.

Our storyboards are now available digitally so you can display them on a white board and get the whole class involved. What’s more, we’ve got lots of ideas on how you can expand the key water safety messages to really engage children and promote a positive and safe attitude towards water.