Instructor's Tips Wanted

[Rob_Broad]

I still believe people learn best at play. I used to teacha basic and then incorporate it into a game or fun exercise. This beneficial for both kids and adults.

Another thing I believe in is be organized, know what you are going to teach, how you are about to go throw that process and leave enough time to hammer in the details if neccessary.

 

[KenpoTess]

Originally posted by RCastillo

I apologize for not making a contribution. Your question is an important one.

Guess, right now I'm at the "Burn Out " stage.

Ricardo.. no apology necessary friend I know that stage personally and anything I can do to help .. just ask
Hugs

Tess

 

[KenpoTess]

Originally posted by Abbax8

I'm a judo instructor so perhaps these suggestions are of limited help. I teach a combined adult and kid class. Warmups- anything from traditional stretches from neck to ankle in progression, to using ukemi practice to warmup. Using ukemi balls after breaking a sweat is fun and always popular. Other warm-up ideas are crawling races, crab walks. Log rolls are fun, also fun to watch. Training in techniques. A good rule of thumb- talk little, show and practice much. If a kid is 10 years old, generally he starts to fade in 10 minutes of doing the same thing. 7 years about 7 minutes. This really appears to be true just from my observations. Therefore- plan out your class in such a way that there are changes in training to defeat the boredom aspect. With kids I stress the importance of doing good in school. At least once a month, I'll ask who nailed a 100% on a quizz or test in school. Those who did take turns leading the class in various activities of their choosing. The favorite is jumping over the folding mats or the belt. But others like to do crab walk races, the tree- an instructor is the tree- the students have to climb up and around without falling off- or other stuff. I have veto authority in case something is not safe, but that hasn't been a problem. I'll use the final 15 to 20 minutes of class for this and IT IS VERY POPULAR. Also the kids are training without knowing it. Adults join in and seem to enjoy as well. Hope this helps.

Peace
Dennis

Hi Dennis,

Thank you.. These are very good tips.. Our kid's classes range from age 4 to 11 and I totally agree with the attention span range. When I'm doing warmups with them I go right down the line and do the kicks etc and stretches.. interacting with each and it makes it fun for them. They like the 'animal walks' too
We are lucky we have a great group of instructors to go around so each now pretty much has a their own instructor. I try to exchange students around so each get a chance to work with someone different .. just for diversity and new ideas .

Thanks again.. Will try these ~!

Tess

 

[KenpoTess]

Originally posted by Rob_Broad

I still believe people learn best at play. I used to teacha basic and then incorporate it into a game or fun exercise. This beneficial for both kids and adults.

Another thing I believe in is be organized, know what you are going to teach, how you are about to go throw that process and leave enough time to hammer in the details if neccessary.

I love to play I don't like the drill sergeant way of barking out orders at the kids.. now the adults at times that's needed.. *chuckles* and admittedly for the younger ones too.. but not all the time~!
Organization is paramount in any teaching method.. true.. if the Instructor has no clue what each assistant is doing.. then all structure is lost. I go around with each instructor and see what they are working on and if they call on me for help.. I am 'in the know.'

Thanks Rob

Tess

 

[KenpoTess]

Originally posted by tonbo

Okay, Tess.....

Keep your eyes on your mailbox!! Sometime before the end of the week, I will mail you out a doc, and you can critique it all ya want. Nothing is copyrighted, so feel free to pick and choose, or dump it all.

This will actually be good for me as well, since I will be forced to remember all the details!!

:asian:

Peace--

Thanks ~!!
Looking forward to all

Tess