It's about helping kids reach their full potential in life.
I thought I'd take this opportunity to explain in a bit more detail what I do in case you're not familiar with my methods, or you are but just want to know a little more.
From a distance, it may simply look like two kids just playing (me being the big kid!) but the reality is there is so much more than just play happening.
The first contact I have before I start working with a child is with the parents. This initial chat helps me understand who I'll be working with; such as the child's personality, health challenges, general likes and dislikes as well as gathering information around why they think their child needs to train with me. Communication with parents is an extremely important element of the children’s training so we know we are working towards the same goals and are on the same page.
We then tee up a 30min intro session where I meet the child, chat with them and introduce them to some games and natural movements. This is a chance for me to get to know them, to make a connection, and to see where they're at physically and emotionally with movement - I can see what they're capable of and what needs improving.
From the first moment I meet the children, I am mentally taking notes of how they interact, for example, are they shy, excited, tired, uninterested etc? This initial meeting often dictates how I am going to interact from then on. Say they're really shy, I need to back off a bit to try and build rapport and earn some trust. If on the other hand, they're excited and friendly, I need to match my intensity with their excitement level.
Once I think I've established some rapport with them I start to introduce them to my games. These games are suitable and modified to suit their current needs and ability level.
At this point again my mental notepad is working over time. I'm noticing how they're responding to the game, if can they do it easily or with difficulty, if they're getting bored or frustrated, and how they're moving in general. If I detect some consistent movement struggles, I will give some suggestions on how to move a little better, than allow them to try again. I find with children, it’s not about movement perfection, but allowing them the space to develop better skills.
One of the goals of the sessions is to get children outside playing and having fun increasing fitness and once I think I've established some rapport with them I start to introduce them to my games. These games are suitable and modified to suit their current needs and ability level.
I find with children, it’s not about movement perfection, but allowing them the space to develop better skills in a less structured and specific manner.
One of the main goals with these sessions is to get children outside playing, having fun, increasing fitness and self-confidence. It's not about gaining really specific skills and techniques.
This mental note taking continues through the whole session as I continually change, adapt and modify the games according to the child.
Once the session is finished we sit down and have a casual chat. Here I often find out what they liked most, what they didn’t like and why. This allows me to change things around for next week’s session to help achieve maximum results and create a general program in my head for the amount of time we'll be working together.
From the outside it may look like play, but in reality every game, every movement and every conversation is working towards the bigger picture of helping them achieve their maximum potential.
I really enjoy working with kids, and find it both challenging and rewarding working with those experiencing behavioral issues such as ADHD and Autism. I don't specialise in these areas but I've seen positive results and received fantastic feedback from parents over the years I've been doing this.
Week after week it's all about meeting the child where they're at on any given day at any given time. Sometimes we don't play many games, or any at all, it depends on how they're feeling that way. We might just walk around the island and talk. We might do some sensory activities like walking through the mud and picking up crabs, whatever they need that day is where I meet them and cater to them while always trying to get them slightly outside of their comfort zone and learning something new.
I've had some Private Kids Coaching clients now for a few years and love reflecting on how far they've come since we first met. I can see they'll be more confident and capable going into teen years and then into adulthood. And I recently introduced Private and Group Fishing Coaching services and am so excited to see those grow and more kids out there fishing!
Clint
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