Shalene Hill

In this episode of Navigating Neva, Neva Nicole sits down with guest Shalene Hill for a conversation about swim instruction, child development, courage, and changing the way we teach children around water.

Neva and Shalene talked through Shalene’s journey into aquatics, when she first began teaching swim lessons, how her philosophy has grown over time, and the work she is doing now with both students and instructors.

They also discuss Shalene’s books, including The Caterpillar’s Song of Courage, her instructor education work, and the updated guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics around swim lessons and drowning prevention.

This episode is for parents, swim instructors, aquatic professionals, and anyone interested in building water confidence through developmentally appropriate, emotionally safe, and skill-focused instruction.