Getting the kids to swimming lessons can sometimes feel like a juggling act – towels, goggles, snacks and the occasional protest from home to the poolside.
Yawa Aquatic Centre’s solution? GOswim Active Pathways; a new initiative designed as both a learning opportunity and a moment of play where kids are prompted to star-jump, hop and even clap their way into venue through a range of games with cartoon animal characters there to guide them.
Since introducing GOswim Active Pathways, a considerable improvement in kids’ and carers’ moods has been observed, with a 16% increase for kid’s and a 29% increase for carers. Physical activity outcomes also improved, with a 9% increase in kids’ steps of those surveyed.
While most pool safety messages focus on carers changing the behaviours of children, this initiative seeks to support children – even where children are pre-literate – with visual clues reinforcing vital safety messages in the car park such as ‘hold my hand’ and ‘stay close’.
The program was designed with four key goals in mind:
- Safety: By sharing important messages with both children and carers in the car park.
- Engagement: By gamifying the entry experience to create excitement about learning to swim rather than trepidation.
- Skill development: Through reinforcing messages of learning in fun and interactive ways, to have focused, happy and energised participants.
- Physical activity: By encouraging movement and incidental exercise, from the moment families arrive.
The colourful graphics have proven to be a huge success, with Pat Otten, Venue Manager at Yawa Aquatic Centre commenting:
“Since installing GOswim Active Pathways, we’ve seen kids arriving at lessons happier, more active and ready to learn, not to mention the increased energy and confidence. It’s turned the walk into their lessons into a joyous, active mini adventure that sets the tone for learning and safety.
“Our surveys, measuring both children’s and carer’s moods, were used to see the correlation between improved mood and retention as well as class occupancy. Kids’ step counts were monitored before and after the pathways were installed to gauge increased physical activity and incidental exercise.
“Safe and happy kids are more likely to engage favourably with their teachers and progress through their levels, so this has been a huge win.”
The GOswim Active Pathways program demonstrates that when care and consideration is shown to kids and carers in the wider community, we can create a greater impact on safety, engagement, skill development and physical activity. A simple smile, fun friend or message of encouragement can make a big difference and when kids feel empowered to act, everyone around them benefits.
Visit Yawa Aquatic Centre to discover the GOswim program in action or find a GOswim venue near you.
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