Aqua Sensory Connections
This month: Christmas Sensory Swim Workshop
Come and add a little Christmas magic to your swimming lessons!
This month we're opening up the Christmas toolkit, and looking at the developmental why behind every festive activity.
Next Session: Tuesday 27th October • 7pm GMT • Live on Zoom (free)
Can’t make it live? Replay will be available for £11.
You’ll receive the Zoom dial-in details by email after booking.
Aqua Sensory Connections (monthly sessions)
Each month, we explore a hot-button topic. These sessions are designed to build community, confidence and connection and to give you practical tools you can take straight back into your work.
October topic: Christmas Sensory Swim Workshop
Join me for a playful, practical session packed with seasonal sensory sensations, Christmas swim ideas and developmental inspiration for babies and young children in the water. As always with Aqua Sensory, we'll go much deeper than simply what to do.
I'll be opening up the session so you can share your ideas too… bring your activities, props, songs, sensory invitations and lesson ideas you’ve used over the years.
Let’sl explore the all-important developmental WHY behind our seasonal play.
How can a Christmas activity support reaching, tracking, crossing the midline, balance, body awareness, language, connection or regulation? How can we use festive sounds, textures, movement and visual experiences without tipping into sensory overload? And how can we create Christmas magic while still following the child?
The Christmas theme might make it sparkle, but underneath every activity there should still be intention, connection and development.
"Less 'Christmas activities for the sake of Christmas'… more meaningful Christmas magic through a child's eyes."
Jo Wilson
Aqua Sensory
In this session we’ll cover
- Activities, props, songs and sensory invitations from a Christmas toolkit sharing circle
- The developmental why: how festive play can support reaching, tracking, crossing the midline, balance and body awareness
- Language, connection and regulation through seasonal songs and rhythm
- Festive sounds, textures, movement and light, layered with care so little ones stay out of sensory overload
- Keeping the magic child-led: following the child, whatever the theme
- Connection time: share your own festive favourites and hear what works for others
You'll leave with lots of ideas you can take straight to the pool, plenty of festive inspiration and a fresh way of looking at your Christmas lessons.
Come ready to SEE, SENSE, FEEL and PLAY!
Who it’s for
These sessions are ideal for:
- baby & early years swim teachers
- swim school owners and team leaders
- anyone who wants their classes to feel more attuned, calm and connected
If you've ever thought:
"My Christmas lessons look lovely, but I'm not sure what they're actually doing for the children."
"Some of my little ones love the festive weeks. Others seem to fall apart."
"I run the same Christmas session every year and I'm ready for fresh ideas."
…you'll get a lot from this month's Aqua Sensory Connection.
Come for the topic. Stay for the community.
Aqua Sensory Connections exists as a way toshare, learn and grow together with more attunement, more inclusion and more depth. This is a place to learn, reflect, and feel supported.
Event details
Live session: Tuesday 27th October • 7pm GMT • Zoom
Cost: Free to join live
Prefer the replay? Book anyway: you'll get the option to purchase the replay via the thank you page and in your welcome email.
FAQs
Is it really free? Yes: joining live is free.
What if I can’t make the time? A replay will be available for £11.
Is this only for teachers working with babies? Not at all. The ideas work for babies and young children, and the principles apply wherever you teach.
Do I need to buy special Christmas props? You don't need anything new. The focus is on the developmental why behind your play, so you can apply it to the resources you already have.
What if some of my families don't celebrate Christmas? Much of what we'll cover works just as well as a winter or seasonal theme, so you can adapt it for every family in your pool.
Will there be time to share and ask questions? Yes. Connection time is built into every session.
Meet Jo Wilson
Founder of Aqua Sensory | Sensory Swim Pioneer | Mentor to Baby & Early Years Swim Professionals
With over 20 years of experience in aquatic education, Jo is a developmental play practitioner, swim school owner, and the creator of the Aqua Sensory approach: a blend of sensory science, soulful teaching, and deep respect for child-led learning.
She's trained over 1,000 swim professionals worldwide and is known for her gentle, imaginative and research-informed methods that support babies and young children in and out of the pool. Through Aqua Sensory Connections, Jo mentors aquatic professionals to teach with more attunement, more confidence, and more joy — because when we understand a child's sensory world, everything changes.