Aqua Sensory

Come and join us our next Aqua Sensory Certified

Seasonal Christmas sensory inspiration. Lets share. We find balance, we live in peace. From womb to world.

It’s free to join our zoom live :

https://www.subscribepage.com/ascoct26 We are on a mission with a big vision to nurture the next generation by sharing our love of 𝚜𝚎𝚗𝚜𝚘𝚛𝚢 𝚑𝚊𝚛𝚖𝚘𝚗𝚢 – 𝚒𝚗 𝚠𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚛. When we are more connected, in harmony, from the inside and out. We love and respect water. We feel in flow. Our babies and young children water experiences are happy as they grow. Aqua Sensory is the perfect recipe for the developing child.

10/10/2026

Let’s talk about wise somatic wisdoms….
Baby’s language, the language of the body.

A gentle sway isn’t just a sway.
A cuddle isn’t a break from learning.
A song isn’t just singing.

“The pool is more than a place to learn to swim.”

I’ve been saying this for years and I’ve been loving sharing this message here in Estonia too at the Nordic Baby Swim Conference. (160 people from 15 countries- wow 🤩) 🇪🇪

When we begin to understand sensory development, nervous systems and the importance of connection, we start to see baby swimming very differently.

We start to not only read baby’s language, their communication and cues….. we start to work with the regulation tools of the body.

We have a principle called is more and sometimes this is the most powerful thing we can do as teachers and swim parents.

Less rushing and more observing, to give time for baby to lead.

That’s why our BATH BABIES program is SO special and successful. Less rush and more connection from womb to world, bath to pool.

This is why I believe sensory education belongs at the heart of baby swimming.

I’d love to know, swim teachers around the world, what’s one thing you’ve changed in your teaching as you’ve learned more about child development? 🌍 🌍 🌍 🌍 🌍 🌍 🌍 🌍

09/10/2026

We arrive at the pool with our lesson plans, our floating pumpkins, colourful toys, songs, hoops and seasonal activities.

We’ve planned the theme and chosen all the equipment…. have we decided what the children will do?

What are the children noticing for themselves?

One baby might be fascinated by the ripples their fingers make in the water. Another might spend ages watching a floating leaf gently bob up and down. A toddler might want to fill and empty the same little watering can over and over again and I’ve bet you’ve seen this lots of times …. another child might be far more interested in the sound of their own splashes than the snowball activity we’ve carefully planned!

I’m not saying don’t plan….. I love to simply wait, watch and wonder…. OBSERVE first.

I love to give children time to explore, repeat, experiment and follow their curiosity in the pool. Then we can gently extend their learning through invitations, movement, sensory experiences and playful interactions to support their water confidence.

I often say the magic is in the moments in-between.

What if we stopped planning what children should experience in the pool and started noticing what they’re already discovering?

Planning seasonal swim activities is our next Aqua Sensory Connection, it’s free to join us, Tuesday 24th October 7pm. Link 🔗 in Bio

Would LOVE to see you there.
Ho ho ho 🎄
Splashes! Jo 💧

07/10/2026

This might sounds obvious… in the pool, the conversation with baby happens also through our hands and not just our words.

At Aqua Sensory, we guide our swim parents to have ‘listening hands.’ Because when we are holding baby, we not just supporting them, but feeling into their response.

It works both ways …. A littie tonic dialogue of baby reading our posture, pressure of our hands, and rhythm of our movement. ♾️

That’s why we love our hold and move practice ; we call LISTENING HANDS. 🙌

It’s something I’m so passionate about and talking about at the Nordic Conference tomorrow in Estonia. 🇪🇪

Reach out if you are going and we can connect more, or send me a DM if this resonates with you too and would like to find out more about our Aqua Sensory BABY practices. I love to share.

05/10/2026

As our world becomes more digital and more AI-generated, I think real human connection is going to become even more valuable.

Of course, you can ask AI for 50 sensory swimming activities, but the observation, the reflection, the subtle details are lost.

How do little ripples become big waves?

We can really peel back the layers, to meet the needs of our parents and children. To connect and build relationships, AI can’t take over this.

For years I’ve built an online community, but the pleasure is in the connection…. Building a philosophy that swim professionals can integrate into their own programs. An ethos that is child centred and they can trust.

As I reflect upon my wonderful time in at the Polish conference. Big thanks to it was such a pleasure.

I’m packing and prepping for Estonia the Nordic Conference this weekend. I’m also looking forward to Ireland with the then the STA conference is next month too.

Creating little ripples, making waves….. 🌊

Give me a WAVE 👋 if you are going to any of these and we can connect, chat 💬 learn, develop & explore together ….

02/10/2026

Our sensory swim regulation cards can be used in so many ways.

In the pool we often find our cards support emotions and feelings. When feeling “sensitive or tired” these cards act as affirmation to feel seen, heard and safe.

We are finding, using the cards as part of a game, supports children who often avoid activities.

Kirsty Rodgers OT, often advises too-so show practice with the card during calm times, to support dysregulation (rather than always waiting for the overwhelm times).

This week we used them as an interactive circle time activity. You can place a few around the pool and see what cards your children gravitate towards- children often know what their nervous system needs.

We tend to find the sensitive children picking the ‘breathe’ card and the more energetic kids picking cards like the ‘sausage roll! Children don’t have to know how to read- the little Octopus - shows them the how!

The best part? 😃
Parents LOVE them and we have them asking where they are from- to practice at home and on holiday. Parents often comment: oh you picked such a “you” card.

Practice the card together as this can activate focus, engagement and supporting children to try new activities for the first time too.

Why not set up a few cards as a visual prompt to your ‘calming corner.’

Can’t wait to hear all about how you use them and how they are received in your water times.

Available PRINTED 🐙 or instant DIGITAL download.
Comment CARDS for the link. 🔗

01/10/2026

It’s hard sometimes in the pool to share to our swim parents all of the magical benefits of early swimming, as there are so many.

Who’s with me?

I know I’ve been saying for years; the pool is more than a place to learn to swim….. together let’s spread this message, as I know it’s SO true.

Yes, of course we are teaching swimming and water confidence, but let’s also look beyond the splashes and kicks as SO much more is happening.

A baby reaching for a floating toy is developing hand-eye coordination, visual tracking and motor planning.

A toddler moving towards their parent is learning about distance, space, trust and independence.

A child waiting for their turn is developing social awareness and self-regulation.

A song isn’t just a song, it can support rhythm, language, anticipation, memory and movement.

A splash isn’t just a splash, it’s cause and effect.

A little ‘Water Hug’ isn’t time away from learning, it’s co-regulation, connection and the safe base a child needs before they are ready to explore again.

And play? Play is learning.

Our pools can become incredible developmental environments, if we set them up like little ‘aquatic classrooms’.

Together let’s make a difference ….. when you think of the bigger picture, we are not only teaching swimming, we are developing the next generation of humans too. (Wow)

29/09/2026

One small fish 🐟…. An ocean of developmental possibilities.

Just one of the reasons we LOVE these little fish is because they are so INTERACTIVE!

Most swim toys are static little floaters in the pool…. but these little Buddies zoom across the top of the water 💧 we like to call this game ‘fish chase.’

The key to swim success is when we notice the developmental magic…. Can they reach, cross the midline, dip and dive? Because some of the fish like to ‘hide’ before they BOB up again. 🐟 😆

The aim of the game is to challenge our little swimmers to promote progression, but not make it so difficult they freeze, say they can’t try.

That’s why we love Bobbin’ Buddies…. They capture a child’s interest, motivate them to try new skills and are SO playful.

Share with me your favorites in the pool too… 🐟

Splash About Official thanks for a great sensory swim resource.

Address

Royal Leamington Spa

Website

http://www.aquasensory.com/

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