Swim Coach Kelci

11/06/2026

🙃 Okay before you come at me for this one… I know this message is well intended.

And honestly, if a child gives you a high five before going in the pool, great! Teaching children to pause, ask permission, and learn boundaries around water is absolutely valid.

But we need to be careful about the language used and the conclusions parents may take from oversimplified messages.

“Ensure your child doesn’t swim without an adult present.”

That level of certainty isn’t something a child-initiated rule can reliably provide.

My concern isn’t that children are being taught a boundary…

It’s that these types of messages can sometimes be interpreted as a system that provides a level of prevention that a young child’s behaviour cannot consistently deliver.

Research shows young children can understand and repeat instructions, but they do not consistently apply them in real situations when they are excited, distracted, or focused on something else.

That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t teach the rule. It means we shouldn’t expect the rule to protect a child.

Another concern is that messages like this can unintentionally shift responsibility onto the child to communicate risk to an adult, and may lead parents to assume their child is not in the water simply because they have successfully followed a high five rule many times before.

Young children are not responsible for managing water safety.
They are not reliable risk managers.
They are children.

A child who has been taught to wait may still run to the pool.
A child who knows the rule may still forget the rule.
A child who can repeat the rule perfectly may still not follow it in the moment.

When we focus too heavily on what a child should do, we risk shifting attention away from the layers of protection that do not depend on memory, judgement, or obedience.

So teach children to wait.
Teach boundaries.
Practise rules.

But be careful about presenting it as something that can ensure prevention of water entry.

Simple messages are easy to share.
Keeping children safe around water is far more complex than a single rule.

💙💙

06/06/2026

Hate to break it to you all but this 88% quote is getting out of hand now… has anyone actually bothered to read the study before sharing this quote???

Here’s my take on what the study actually says: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1E4YuxsrkG/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Most parents think swim lessons are just about preventing drowning. But research shows toddlers who start swimming early get 88% drowning protection PLUS something unexpected: enhanced brain development. Every stroke and kick creates cross-lateral movement that forces both sides of the brain to work together, literally wiring neural pathways for reading, focus, emotional control, and language skills.

When your child moves through water, they're doing more than learning to float. They're developing better balance, quicker problem-solving abilities, and stronger motor skills than kids who don't swim. The resistance of water challenges their body awareness and posture while building core strength. Studies consistently show early swimmers outperform their peers in cognitive tasks that require bilateral brain coordination.

Here's the hidden gem: floating and breath control naturally teach emotional regulation. When toddlers learn to stay calm in water and control their breathing, they're building real-world skills for handling stress and trying again when things get tough. Early swim lessons leverage your child's natural brain plasticity and lower fear levels, making skill acquisition easier and more confident. You're not just enrolling them in another activity - you're investing in their safety, cognitive development, and emotional resilience all at once.

21/05/2026

Meeting Harry and teaching him survival swim skills so he can be safe and independent in the water is probably one of the best highlights from my career. 💙 I feel honoured his parents put their trust in me to help him.

He is the one of the funniest, kindest, cheekiest, smiley boys and he honestly just lights up the room.

Amazing charities like Barretstown help support children like Harry who have gone through the unimaginable, and their families.

Please share to help spread awareness and donate if you can so an amazing charity like this can continue to support families in the beautiful ways that they do. 💙

14/05/2026

One of the hardest things to teach?

Breaststroke kick and timing. 🐸

It’s often the stroke children find hardest to swim technically well at the start.

I love breaking the stroke down into small individual parts first, then slowly piecing it together with a big focus on rhythm, timing, and maximising distance per stroke through the glide.

13/05/2026

Swimming lessons: teaching safety for them, surviving germs for me 😂

05/05/2026

SUMMER SWIM COURSE UPDATE:

Priority scheduling has now ended.

If you’ve submitted your application form, I’m currently finalising your lesson schedule and putting everything into a clear confirmation with your session plan and payment details. These will be sent out over the next few days, so keep an eye out!

If you missed this first deadline, don’t stress. Applications are still open, but lesson times will now be based on the remaining availability after these confirmations have been completed.

If you’d like to apply, send me a DM or WhatsApp and I’ll send all the information over. 💙