What if swim lessons didn’t start with stress or fear – but with trust, connection, and joy?
That’s the heart of Kaylee Kennedy’s approach. In our LiveTalk, Kaylee shares how parents can begin supporting water safety and comfort from day one. Whether you have a toddler, a baby, or you’re simply curious about how to make the water a place of connection instead of anxiety, her insights offer both practical tools and deeper mindset shifts.
To watch the full video, visit our Childhood Potential Club.
A Gentle Way to Begin with Kaylee Kennedy
You want your baby to feel comfortable in the water.
You also want to feel confident that you’re doing it right.
But between bath-time meltdowns, questions about submersion, and all the advice floating around online, it can feel hard to know where to start – or what’s actually safe.
In our LiveTalk Kaylee talks about how water can be more than something to get through—it can be a place of bonding, trust, and fun, right from the beginning.
Start Small, Start at Home
One of the biggest takeaways from Kaylee’s session?
You don’t need a fancy pool or a swim class to begin.
Water readiness can start in your kitchen sink, your bathtub, or your backyard with a bucket and a warm day.
Kaylee shares how water play – done gently and mindfully – can help babies begin to understand their breath, their body, and their comfort level. And the best part? You’re not just teaching skills. You’re building connection.
Breath Before Splash
So many parents ask: When should I start introducing water to my baby’s face?
What if they swallow water?
How do I know if it’s too much?
Kaylee walks through all of this, starting with one simple shift: focus on breath control first. Before a child is ready for submersion, they can learn how to respond to a cue—something as simple as “Take a breath”—and begin to associate water with safety instead of surprise.
It’s not a performance. It’s a slow, respectful process. And Kaylee shows how even very young babies can begin to feel more comfortable when they know what to expect.
Discover practical, easy-to-implement strategies to gently navigate your child’s emotional outbursts, while maintaining your own sense of calm.
What If They Hate It?
Here’s the thing: not all babies love the water right away. And that’s okay.
This talk is packed with practical ways to gently introduce water, help your child feel safe, and handle the “what ifs”—like unexpected splashes, fear of the tub, or that moment when a little water gets in their nose and everything goes sideways.
Kaylee’s approach isn’t just about technique—it’s about tuning into your child, understanding their cues, and creating a calm environment where they can explore at their own pace.
You Don’t Have to Be an Expert
You don’t need swim instructor training to guide your baby.
You don’t need a perfect plan.
And you’re definitely not behind.
Kaylee reminds us that parents are their child’s best teacher—especially in those early moments. The goal isn’t to “get ahead,” but to stay connected. To enjoy the moment. To help your child feel capable, safe, and seen.
About Kaylee
Kaylee is a lifelong swimmer, experienced instructor, and founder K&K Swim School and Watermellow – an online swim school that helps parents become their baby’s first and best swim teacher. With over 15 years of experience, she’s known for her gentle, child centered approach to swimming and her mission to make water play safe, joyful, and connected from the very beginning. Built on her years of experience and the proven Swimful curriculum she created, Watermellow offers a gentle, nurturing introduction to the water – starting as early as 3 weeks old.
