Guidelines for the instructor

Now that the building blocks of planning are set up, it’s time to think how to run a training.

In the first couple of sessions you can all start learning each other’s names. You can for example use various different name games and for example let the kids come up with a movement attached to their name and then use that same movement later.

Rules

As the first thing, it’s good to set the ground rules for the training group in the beginning. It makes it easier to run the activities when everyone knows how to act. You should let the children come up with some of the rules too.

When making your rules, consider these:

• What kind of rules work?
• What kind of rules do the children understand?
• Why?

Examples:

1. We don’t bully anyone
2. We arrive on time
3. We take care of our own equipment
4. We encourage each other

Basic guidelines for instructing children

1. Clear and concise instructions
   • Speak loudly and clearly
   • Use short sentences
   • Only 1-2 instructions at a time
   • You listen better when sitting
   • Put the discs down when talking and listening
   • If necessary, separate kids that distract
   • Learn the names as soon as possible
2. Show an example
   • Emphasize the important parts
   • You can ask a child to help
   • Make sure that everyone sees and understands
   • Reduce distractions
3. Give and ask for feedback
   • Observe
   • Always give feedback on the action, not the person
   • Remember to say -why- something went well
   • Remember everyone
   • Ask these questions:
     • Was it fun?
     • Did you get sweaty?
     • Did you learn something?
4. Activate
   • As much activity as possible
   • No queuing and waiting
   • Group activities
   • Games
   • What is your signal for pausing and starting?

Be calm, be present, be encouraging – take part too! Remember to encourage doing and don’t concentrate on the results.