Moving up Students

[Truestar]

Pretty soon we'll be moving a couple 7 year olds up to a new class that is going to be a bit more structured than our Little Ninja class. They are good students but often have a hard time concentrating or getting motivated and the new class isn't as much "fun" as the class they are currently in. Our Little Ninjas generally do basic activities to enhance their abilities that they are currently developing as children and the class doesn't focus on real "heart-pounding" material.

I'm sure my head instructor will help me along the way as I continue to learn to be a better teacher with young children, but I was wondering what some people here thought or would do.

[ninjanurse]

It can be a tough transition for some kids...you just have to be patient and give them lots of positive moments. I tend to continue teaching to them as "ninjas" while introducing them to the new class routine and raise my expectations each class until they get used to it. Some kids need an extra push, others will fall right into the program. Talking about the class before they move up helps too...let them know what is expected and get them excited about it first.

[Truestar]

Today was their first class to my surprise. They did surprisingly well and didn't give up. The warmup was tougher than the Little ninja class but they stuck with it with some smiles to go along with it.

I don't foresee a major problem.

[bushido_man96]

I'm glad to hear that the transition went well, Truestar. Patience is one of the virtues that I improved upon when I became a kid's instructor.

Pretty soon we'll be moving a couple 7 year olds up to a new class that is going to be a bit more structured than our Little Ninja class. They are good students but often have a hard time concentrating or getting motivated and the new class isn't as much "fun" as the class they are currently in. Our Little Ninjas generally do basic activities to enhance their abilities that they are currently developing as children and the class doesn't focus on real "heart-pounding" material.

I see these problems in my school as well. The transition can be tough, and some of the kids that do make the transition I sometimes think could use some more time in the Ninjas class. Its important to evaluate the maturity level of each child before he/she is moved up. Some will be able to jump in sooner than others, and that is ok.

At times, I think that having a kids program seperate from the adults but above the Ninjas class is what benefits the transition period the best.

[tori]

Our little ninja class focuses greatly on improving areas of balance, concentration, self discipline, and attitude. The classes are short and fun. Just enough to keep small children interested. When they become old enough to join the traditional class, it only takes a short time to get used to the organization of it. We do have fun at the end of class, but fun isn't our basis of the traditional program. It does however, get them something to look forward to. I do notice that once the kids are old enough to be in the next level, they are ready, because they no longer want to be "the little kids".