Do you allow parents to watch?

[bushido_man96]

We finally had to move the parents (and disruptive little ones) out to the lobby. We had two large windows installed so that parents could watch. This works great. A few parents were not too happy but they were the ones causing the most distractions (bringing wild little ones, trying to coach their kids, etc.). It has made for a much better teaching and learning enviroment.

Ah, the coaching parents. They can be tough to deal with. I love the fact that there are some parents who are willing to do more than drop the kids off and be back in time to pick them up. But when they coach during class, I nip that in the bud quick.

What you can do to combat that, however, is just give the parents a few little things that their children can practice on at home to improve some facet of their technique. Just one or two things at a time, and make them simple to explain to them. Then demonstrate it to them, and then have them demonstrate it back, so they know they are ok. This lets them feel like they can still help out, but don't disrupt your class in the end.

[NewEnglands_KyoSa]

wow some of you guys have great set ups going. where i teach, i teach in two different rooms on any given night. one room is closed off but with plexiglass windows at the entrance on the entire wall so parents can sit right outside the windows(literally) and watch and listen because plexi glass isnt sound proof and well, maybe im a sorta loud teacher! the other room is closed off for the most part so parents are allowed in and sit up the back of the room. it's annoying and it causes problems. i personally wish parents, spouses, grandparents, friends, whatever would just stay away. they cause more harm than good.

[tori]

Our training area consists of 2 floors. Each floor has several cameras. There are 6 televisions in a seperate area, behind closed doors that parents can sit and watch their children take class. We want complete attention from all of our students. Parents and other children sitting off to the side inhibit a proper training atmosphere because they unintentionally distract all the students who are training when they carry on conversations amongs each other.

[Holland]

My lobby has a door to the workout area and that door gets closed when the parents get too loud.

Kind of my way of casually showing them to keep the volume at a respectful level.

[Senseimurphy]

I like to have the parent s watch because I like them to be involved. I have had some parents ask me to show them a particular move that we practiced in class so that they could help their kids practice at home. Now I know they are going to practice at home because mommy and daddy are going to make them.

I dont think you need to worry at all about asking parents to quiet down and controll their other kids. Not only are they disrupting YOUR class but the other parents who are really there to watch there kids class. Yeah, you may loose that one family, but the rest of the group will respect and appriciate you more for standing up for your class. They are paying you, but they need to realize that youre doing them the favor.

[IcemanSK]

I encourage & welcome parents to watch every class for a few reasons. 1) I want them to know what their kids are doing & be involved. 2) I want them to know what I'M doing. From that idiot instructor who was arrested for kicking an 11 year old 200 times to "teacher touched me" all kinds of things can happen or be said if parents aren't watching what their kids are doing!

We teach "stranger danger" to kids. Part of that is telling parents, "get involved in what your kids are doing."

I have no secrets when I teach.

[white owl]

I encourage & welcome parents to watch every class for a few reasons. 1) I want them to know what their kids are doing & be involved. 2) I want them to know what I'M doing. From that idiot instructor who was arrested for kicking an 11 year old 200 times to "teacher touched me" all kinds of things can happen or be said if parents aren't watching what their kids are doing!

We teach "stranger danger" to kids. Part of that is telling parents, "get involved in what your kids are doing."

I have no secrets when I teach.

I agree with what you wrote. But some times some parents get overly involved I use to be one. like yelling at their kids during class. (meaning the ones participating in class.)

[white owl]

I encourage & welcome parents to watch every class for a few reasons. 1) I want them to know what their kids are doing & be involved. 2) I want them to know what I'M doing. From that idiot instructor who was arrested for kicking an 11 year old 200 times to "teacher touched me" all kinds of things can happen or be said if parents aren't watching what their kids are doing!

We teach "stranger danger" to kids. Part of that is telling parents, "get involved in what your kids are doing."

I have no secrets when I teach.

I agree with what you wrote. But some times some parents get overly involved I use to be one. like yelling at their kids during class. (meaning the ones participating in class.)

Just let you know I'm not the parent yelling at my kid, it kind of sounded like it the only thing I tell mine is keep your guard up and now I hardly say that he is a higher ranking student an I feel he should know that now, so gets hit he will not drop it again

My sensei is dealing with a parent now he is always yelling at he's kids I am always telling him shh, sensei will deal with it.

My thang now as a parent is keeping my mouth shut when my kid is grappling. He is always letting others take him down easly and then he lets them mount them easy, he does a lot better with older people(teenagers)but when he gets people his age or younger or even girls he is like a limp noodle does not give them a whole lot of residence. I find myself bitting my tongue a lot sometimes.

[blackbelt]

In my school, our classroom is closed off from the gym part, but we have two windows so parents or people in the gym can watch. But the windows also have blinds so if the students get distracted, the blinds can be closed so their are no distractions.

[NewEnglands_KyoSa]

In my school, our classroom is closed off from the gym part, but we have two windows so parents or people in the gym can watch. But the windows also have blinds so if the students get distracted, the blinds can be closed so their are no distractions.

wow i like that idea. i do that with the clock sometimes, its removable and when i see kids watching it, i toss it(or occasionly round kick it off the wall )