New Kids Classes - A first timers experience

[BlueDragon]

I've been hanging around these forums for the last couple of weeks gathering advice for the new juniors class (ages 6-13) our school is starting up. Well, we had our first lesson last night and I think I owe it to all the helpful people here to describe my experience as a first time juniors instructor in a class full of little first-time martial artists.

The reason I want to describe my experience is because the things I thought would be hard were easy but there were difficulties I hadn't even considered. Maybe this will help others know what to expect.

First of all, some enthusiastic kids arrived 20 minutes early! I was expecting everyone to show up maybe 5 mins before and to begin introductions and all the form filling on-time. Lesson 1 learned: overplan activities and have something to entertain early kids with.

As all the kids were new to the school we gave a bit of an introduction for the parents, explained the rules of conduct etc. which I think went over most kids heads.

The funny part was getting kids to line up. I thought this would be the easy part but they didn't want to spread out and give themselves space. It took us a while to get them into an arrangement that would allow them to kick and punch without hitting the person in front. Lesson 2: Kids don't understand the concept of 'lines' without being shown.

Showing the moves was the easy part. They were really focussed and put lots of effort in. There were a few perspective issues on the tricky hand movements but I was prepared for this (eg. my left hand moving to the right turns into their left hand moving to the left). I was trying to keep things moving fast because they had so much energy running jumping around before the lesson started, but a couple and one in particular got discouraged that they weren't getting it right away. I wasn't really expecting this. I thought they would just want to get in there and throw some kicks and punches and have fun but they took it really seriously. For the youngest ones getting 10 punches out in a row was a real challenge for them. Lesson 3: Even though kids have lots of energy, learning new skills that require their concentration, like punching, can really wear them out!

I slowed things down after this moved on to kicks instead, which are a bit easier to learn. Their kicks were great and I tested to see if anyone could remember the kicks and the names, which they could.

Because they were so good a focused (and I was starting to find their seriousness slightly scary!) I introduced a game for the last quarter of the lesson to get them to relax. We played dodge ball with a gym ball rolled along the ground (it's about the same height as the smallest kids) and the kids that got out helped roll the ball. This turned out to be a bit too easy so we added an extra ball in. The two balls were great, they had to become really aware of their surroundings and continually watch their back! If they get too good with 2 we can add a third ball.

[Eliz]

Congratulations and glad to hear all went well. :)

I am not suprised to hear the 6 year olds were a bundle of energy, but I am a bit suprised to hear the 13 year olds were too. That can typically be an unpredictable age.

Lining up? :laugh: Have an assistant stand on the exact spot you wish to place a child and point said child to the assistant. It actually goes pretty fast once you and your assistant get in sinct. If by yourself, than you stand on the exact spot and call said child to you.

Mirror image is tough to get. Don't sweat it - it comes with practice....and repeated mess ups.

Ending the class with a game was a good choice. Best to leave the class on a positive/fun note.

Best of luck to you in the future. Let us know how it progresses. :)

[Gordon Nore]

Shannaka,

Congratulations on your first class. It is to your credit and your kids' benefit that you invested so much energy in preparing for them. Teaching is far more than simply knowing your subject. Ditto everything Elizabeth said. Just keep repeating your routines carefully, so it sinks in. I tend to start with the rules that I feel keep the class safe and productive and go from there. Next class, start questioning the kids as a group about any oral instruction you have given them. Eg. Who remembers...? Who can tell us...? When you catch a kid following your procedures or instructions well, call attention to it.

Have fun and keep us posted.

[BlueDragon]

Thanks!

Had our second lesson last night. I did as you suggest and stood exactly on the spot where I wanted them to stand. Thank you! Now they line up perfectly every time.

I slowed things down even more when going through kicks and hand movements and they started picking things up even better to the point where I could start getting pickier and make small corrections.

The only thing I can see that might become a problem down the track is that the older kids tend to have a 'this is easy' attitude, so they start getting sloppy and it's hard to correct them.

How do you cater for different ages in the one class, challenging the older kids who have more balance and coordination without overloading the youngest ones with too much to think about at once?

I added to the dodge ball game as well by putting kick shields on the ground, so not only do they have to keep and eye on two balls they have to watch where they step as well.

[Eliz]

Thanks!

Had our second lesson last night. I did as you suggest and stood exactly on the spot where I wanted them to stand. Thank you! Now they line up perfectly every time.

I slowed things down even more when going through kicks and hand movements and they started picking things up even better to the point where I could start getting pickier and make small corrections.

The only thing I can see that might become a problem down the track is that the older kids tend to have a 'this is easy' attitude, so they start getting sloppy and it's hard to correct them.

How do you cater for different ages in the one class, challenging the older kids who have more balance and coordination without overloading the youngest ones with too much to think about at once?

I added to the dodge ball game as well by putting kick shields on the ground, so not only do they have to keep and eye on two balls they have to watch where they step as well.

I like that game revision! I don't teach young ones much anymore, but I will borrow from you if I find myself in that situation. :)

As for the differences in age, we don't put 13 year olds with 6 year olds. Ages 11 to about 16 ish are tough ages. Their bodies and their lives are going through all kinds of changes.....:rolleyes:

Best to ship the older kids off with an assistant and basically give them their own class and their own activities. They will feel special and the younger ones will look forward to "graduating" to the older group.

The younger ones are still trying to conqour standing still for more than 5 micro-seconds. :laugh:

Keep up the good work. It is nice to see instructors putting so much energy into their classes. :)

[mvoncannon]

Thanks!

Had our second lesson last night. I did as you suggest and stood exactly on the spot where I wanted them to stand. Thank you! Now they line up perfectly every time.



Another option is dots on the mat / floor. This is assuming you can do this. They can be stickers or painted on. Try to get them about 2 inches accross if possible. Put the dots in the class formation and tell each kid to find a dot.

This does sound like you are on the right track. Kids = Energy.