Puggles Pro Course | Deaf Children Australia

What is Puggles Pro?

Puggles Pro is an advanced online professional learning course that builds on the foundations of Puggles Swim, supporting swim teachers and swim schools to confidently include deaf and hard of hearing children across a wider range of lesson levels and teaching scenarios.

Developed by Deaf Children Australia in collaboration with industry and community expertise, Puggles Pro provides practical strategies, real-world examples, and downloadable tools that can be applied directly on pool deck. It is designed to strengthen inclusive teaching practice, improve lesson consistency across staff, and reduce the barriers that can prevent children from fully participating in learn to swim.

On successfully completing the course, accredited swim instructors will have deeper capability to support communication, understanding, safety, and engagement in mainstream classes, including when lessons become more complex and expectations increase.

The course takes 2-hours to complete and will grant 5 Personal Development Points!

We believe every child has the right to learn to swim. Puggles Pro exists to help ensure swim programs are equipped not only to welcome deaf and hard of hearing children, but to support them to progress, thrive, and feel confident in the water.

What You'll Gain?

Practical strategies for communication, safety, and engagement
You will learn how to set expectations clearly, reduce confusion, and keep lessons moving through visual supports, structured demonstrations, and simple communication routines that support understanding and confidence in the water.
Downloadable tools and templates for pool deck
You will have access to ready to use resources you can print or save to your phone, including lesson planning supports, visual prompts, progress tools, and quick reference guides that help you stay consistent even in busy lessons.
Video based learning built for busy educators
Short, focused modules make it easy to learn in your own time. You can revisit key topics before lessons, use videos as a refresher during the season, and share consistent approaches across your team.
A clear framework for teaching a wider range of learners
You will gain a practical structure for adapting activities, managing different communication needs, and building confidence when moving students through higher level skills, while maintaining safety and inclusion in mainstream classes.

Learning Objectives

Explain the key communication, sensory and safety needs of deaf and hard of hearing children in aquatic environments, and how these differ from hearing peers.
Design inclusive lesson plans that integrate visual teaching strategies, structured routines and clear communication channels for mixed hearing and deaf/hard-of-hearing groups.
Demonstrate effective use of visual cues, signals and key Auslan signs to support instruction, feedback and behaviour management in and around the pool.
Adapt teaching techniques, activities and class set-ups to minimise communication barriers and maximise engagement, confidence and skill development for deaf and hard-of-hearing swimmers.
Collaborate effectively with families, interpreters and hearing support professionals, using Puggles resources and communication frameworks to create consistent support across home, school and swim centre.
Implement and document safety, risk management and emergency response procedures that account for the specific communication needs of deaf and hard-of-hearing children.
Evaluate and refine their own practice using Puggles Pro checklists, observation tools and feedback from children and families to drive continuous improvement.
Advocate for inclusive, accessible swim programs within their organisation, using evidence and Puggles Pro resources to influence policies, programming and staff development.

Pricing

Puggles Pro Course, Regular Rate

$72.00

for Individual Purchase

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$408.00

for 6 Enrolments

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$650.00

for 10 Enrolments

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Hear from the Skippers

Jake Culkin, Inclusive Swim

Jake Culkin photo

Water safety should be accessible for everyone, and Puggles Pro is essential to removing barriers for participation. This training provided me with clear and inclusive resources to make the experience of participants welcoming and engaging. Working primarily with Autistic and ADHD participants, these resources have been highly engaging and fun for everyone. Through increased awareness of how to effectively introduce Auslan into my sessions, I feel more confident to assist in the skill progression of participants of all abilities in my program.

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Puggles Pro for?

Puggles Pro is designed for swim teachers, supervisors, and swim schools who want practical strategies to better include Deaf and hard of hearing children in learn-to-swim programs, at all skill levels and as they progress into amazing swimmers!

What will I learn in the course?

You will learn practical, real-world strategies to improve communication, reduce confusion, increase engagement, and support safety and inclusion. The course focuses on tools you can apply immediately in lessons for all different types of skill levels.

Is Puggles Pro suitable if I'm new to teaching Deaf or hard of hearing children?

Do I need to know Auslan to complete the course?

No. Auslan knowledge is helpful but not required. The course focuses on inclusive teaching methods and communication strategies that work in real swim lesson settings.

How is Puggles Pro different from Puggles Swim?

Puggles Pro builds on the foundations of Puggles Swim with more advanced insight, deeper teaching strategies, and additional tools to support higher levels and more complex lesson environments.

Is this course self-paced?

Yes. Puggles Pro is delivered online and can be completed at your own pace, making it suitable for busy swim educators and teams.

How long does it take to complete?

Completion time varies depending on your pace. Most participants choose to complete the modules across a few short sessions so they can apply learning between lessons.

Can our whole team access Puggles Pro?

Yes. Many swim schools use Puggles Pro as a team professional learning resource. If you are purchasing for multiple staff members, consider offering a team-based rollout.

Is the course suitable for private lessons and group classes?

Yes. Strategies and tools can be applied across both formats, including mixed-ability classes, mixed-age groups, and high-volume programs.

Does Puggles Pro include downloadable resources?

Yes. Puggles Pro includes practical tools and templates that can be printed or used digitally to support lesson delivery and consistency across staff.

Is there a certificate of completion?

A certificate of completion can be provided once you finish the course requirements, which will grant you Professional Development points.

Is the course aligned with industry standards?

Puggles Pro has been developed with input from AUSTSWIM and SWIM.ORG to support best-practice quality and practical relevance for swim educators.

Can I use this as part of my professional development hours?

Yes, this course is recognised by AUSTSWIM and SWIM.ORG to directly contribute to your PD points.

How do I access the course after purchase?

After purchase, you will receive access details via email and can log in online to complete the modules and download resources.