Presenter Profile
Molly B. Johnson, PhD, M.AmSAT
Research Scientist
Drowning Prevention and Water Safety Program
Trauma and Injury Research Center
Dell Children's Medical Center
molly.johnson2@ascension.org
Drowning Prevention and Water Safety Program
Trauma and Injury Research Center
Dell Children's Medical Center
molly.johnson2@ascension.org
Dr. Molly Johnson is the research scientist for the Dell Children’s Medical Center’s Drowning Prevention and Water Safety Program and an adjunct Kinesiology Professor at the University of the Incarnate Word. Her research aims to understand factors associated with injury risk and to explore the impact of injury prevention approaches. Her current research focuses on drowning risk and prevention in children. Dr. Johnson also oversees a professional training program for Alexander technique specialists who work with performing artists and people with chronic pain. Her background allows her to approach pain and injury prevention from both a research and clinical side.
Presentations
Caregiver Views of Toddler Water Competency Skills
Molly B. Johnson, PhD, M.AmSAT
Karla A. Lawson, PhD, MPH
Part of session:
Background:
Drowning is a leading cause of death for toddlers. Caregiver supervision is an important layer of protection against drowning. However, caregivers may reduce supervision as their toddler gains water competency skills. The aim of this study is to explore reported water competency skills, swim lesson experience, and views about supervision by caregivers of toddlers.
Methods:
A survey was conducted on 650 adult caregivers of 1-4 year old toddlers using the online Amazon MTurk platform. The survey asked caregivers their toddler’s age, swimming lesson history, and attitude about supervision following swimming lessons. Surveys also asked whether their toddler could perform these water competency skills: 1) Enter water above his/her head and return to the surface, 2) Turn around and then find an exit from the pool, 3) Float unassisted for 1 minute, 4) Tread water for 1 minute, 5) Exit the pool without using a ladder, and 6) Swim 25 meters without stopping. ANOVA and Bonferonni post-hoc pairwise comparisons were used to determine differences in water competency skills by toddler age.
Results:
On average, caregivers reported that their toddler could perform half of the water competency skills (Mean: 2.85; SD: 1.95). The number of skills reported varied by the toddler’s age (F(3,646)=11.65, p<0.001). Caregivers reported significantly fewer skills for 1-year olds (Mean: 1.88: SD: 2.22) compared to other ages. The number of skills for 2-year olds (Mean: 2.68; SD: 1.95) and 3-year olds (Mean: 2.75; SD: 1.96) were not significantly different from each other. Caregivers reported significantly more skills for 4-year olds (Mean 3.41; SD: 1.95) compared to younger toddlers. In all age groups, fewer toddlers were reported to be able to swim 25 meters without stopping or exit the pool without using a ladder than other skills, with only about ? of toddlers reportedly able to perform these lifesaving skills. The majority of the toddlers had taken swimming lessons (59.2%), with 29.5% planning to take their toddler for swimming lessons and 11.2% not planning to take their toddler for swimming lessons. Thirty-six percent of caregivers agreed or strongly agreed that, after a toddler has had swimming lessons, they don’t need to be watched as closely when they are in a pool.
Conclusions:
Although caregivers reported more water competency skills for older toddlers than younger toddlers, total numbers of skills were low across all age groups. Even with a majority of toddlers having taken swimming lessons, few were reportedly able to perform critical life-saving skills. Yet, many caregivers believed that toddler supervision could be reduced following swimming lessons. Findings suggest that misconceptions about the ability of swimming lessons to drown-proof toddlers are common and that efforts are needed to change perceptions about the importance of supervision regardless of swimming lesson history.
Objectives:
Explore caregiver perceptions of swimming lessons, supervision, and toddler water competency skills.