BEGINNERS EDGE SPORTS TRAINING

Beginners Edge Sports Training

Program Expectations Document for Parents with Children under 6

Welcome to a new session – we are excited you have decided to join us. We wrote this information guide to give you some information as to what you should expect when coming to class and what we expect from you as a parent no matter what program you are participating with us. The common thread of everything you will read is that B.E.S.T will always try to make your experience a pleasurable one for your children. We can never meet every parent’s expectations and please realize your view of the class as a spectator and the enjoyment of your child as a participant are sometimes quite different. Below are some common questions we get asked and then some tips on what o expect for kids Under 6 years old.

When are T-shirts passed out?

2nd or third week since they need to be delivered around the Valley and many people enroll late.

Who can you talk to if you have a question?

Your coaches Call the office 623-748-9453

What if I would like the Coach to do something a bit different in the class can I request that from him/her?

Yes, as they are the people hired and in front of your children and know your children the best. They can best address making any adjustments in the class over what we can do

Can we call the office if we feel uncomfortable talking to the Coach?

Yes, although speaking with the Coach in a constructive tone is the best method as they are challenged to work with many different personality types and working with kids with their parents a few feet away can sometimes be a bit intimidating. Fill out electronic feedback form online.

What if you feel the Coach is amazing?

Tell us, tell the coach, tell someone since their paycheck depend on receiving these evaluations. Coaches want to hear about it all even the not so great since they want to improve and make your experience the BEST.

What if you feel the Coach is not living up to your expectations?

For Constructive criticism comments please speak to the Coach, call the office or fill out online feedback form. Please understand we do not and will NOT react and take immediate action based on Parental feedback as many times parental feedback is not a shared opinion.

I missed a class or going to miss a class, what do I do?

Do NOT Call the office when you are going to miss a class Call the office when you want to schedule a make-up class. Please do NOT just show up to another class you are not registered for as you will be turned away.

What is success for your Child in our programs?

Success is your child getting up in the morning and showing up to class. We measure success by a child participating as much as they feel comfortable and in the activities they want to. Success is children TRYING and having fun

Will our program be a success for your Child?

Who knows, but we will try our best. The Coach, group of kids, flooring material, lighting, equipment, temperature, the facility colors, etc are all factors (including a million others) on whether your child will enjoy the class on any given day. Each class offers a new experience and new set of challenges all directly relating back to whether it will be successful for your child.

What are our Coaches there for?

They are there to Try their best, to teach your kids to try their best to learn the skills we are teaching in a fun and safe environment.
- To create and environment where kids can learn without competition.
- To execute games as stated on the weekly curriculum list
- Teach teamwork, camaraderie and respect for their instructors
- To present structure as a way of conducting the class

What are our Coaches NOT there for?

The Coach is not there to change your child’s typical behavior.
They will present structure but enforce it as PC as possible.
They are not there to scold children.
They will provide choices and give them the option to pay and have fun or sit on the side with their parent.
They are not there to make super stars – they are there to present the basics of the sports.

What are you the Parents there for?

The parents are there to make sure the kids can go to the bathroom when they need to
To encourage their Childs participation not push them and threaten them to participate
For parents with
Kids Under 3.5 – they are their to actively and physically participate in all aspects

Kids 3.5 to Under 5 – they are their to verbally facilitate when needed in all aspect

Kids over 5 – you are there to facilitate when they are not acting properly by intervening and queuing them to proper behavior.

Push and Pull Philosophy – what is it?

We don’t force kids to play games - we present them the opportunity (Pull) to play. For the U4’s this is many times through the interaction with the parent. Our Coaches are directed to NEVER PUSH a child to participate rather try to encourage (Pull) them in a casual manner. If a child does not respond in any way to the encouragement (calling their name, asking them to be a special helper etc) the Coach will ignore this non-participation in lieu of the parents help to figure out why they are not participating.

DETAILS ABOUT KIDS AT DIFFERENT AGES

For all children under 24 months old. (Soccer Specific)

This is our Teddies I - 18 to 26 months: This 100% active parent participation class using a variety of props, songs (minimal), and games to engage toddlers in active activities. Simple motor skills are stressed. Soccer NOT stressed

Synopsis: As a parent myself and a Coach who has been involved with kids and sports for almost 20 years I can honestly say that at this age expectations on how an 18-24 month old will react any minute of any day should be approached with caution. A child partially participating to fully participating at this age is terrific. What makes a child participate vs does not participate is a HUGE guess. We have NEVER had a coach that was able to master controlling the parents and the kids in this age group class. This class is created and has been created to introduce loosely the concept of soccer through games and activities.For this reason, noodles, balloons, soccer balls, cones, hat cones, parachute – all colorful and fun objects are used to facilitate eye hand and eye foot activities i.e. kicking, hitting, running, walking, throwing, big steps etc..

CHILDREN UNDER 26 MONTHS

Children being introduced to concepts like running, jumping, walking backwards, eye tracking, kicking, etc
Coaches to ask for your 100% physical participation. Coaches will not force you to or ask multiple times
Your child to wander. This is OK. Coaches will present the opportunity to actively play the games with the parent but it is up to the parents to encourage their child to participate with them.
Parents to actively interacting with their children 100% of the time. These are the children typically having the most fun.
You can expect us to ask the parents to put little pressure on the children by accepting what their child is doing (as long as it is enjoyment). Kids at this age explore and love to have FUN. STRUCTURE is foreign to them.
Parents to throw out the door any expectations they may have for children under 24 in a program. U24 months is an unpredictable age.
Coaches to use of “Pull Technique” trying to engage he children not make the children participate. “Pushing” participation just pushed children further away.
Engagement and proper playing interaction with other children
Teaching your child to TRY not necessarily succeed. Succeeding comes with years of practice not just 45 minutes once a week.
The Coaches job is to walk around and help the parents help the kids and get ready to present the Parents with the next activity. Some parents want us to push soccer at this age and we present fine and gross motor skills at this age based on some soccer related skills.
Controlled or uncontrolled Chaos are the terms I have heard over the years. Our Coaches gain much more control over kids once they turn 26+ months.

CHILDREN 24 MONTHS TO UNDER 3.5 YEARS
The children under 3.5 all REQUIRE parent facilitation at least and some active participation. At 26 months old kids typically want to listen, they understand by listening, they can have fun and they understand choices. We like to use the term “Follow Directions” since most children are listening they are just choosing whether they want to follow directions or not.

Facilitation means Parents actively on the field and verbally facilitating and encouraging their children to participate and providing direction based on Coaches direction.
Participation includes physically aiding your child in some of the activities.
Some children who may have trouble following direction by themselves will require the parent to physically participate by helping their child execute the activity. Moving body parts as necessary.

What should you expect from our 24m to less than 3.5 program?

Children being taught to focus better
Your child being introduced to structure with less leeway from the Coach through the use of “Pull Technique”
Coach to be a bit more adamant about the use of the spots
Engagement and proper playing interaction with other children
Teaching your child to TRY not necessarily succeeding. Succeeding comes with years of practice not just 45 minutes once a week. Your child TRYING is a success.

CHILDREN OVER 3.5 YEARS OLD
Over 3.5 typically kids have the ability follow direction and certainly understand consequences. We use this information as guidelines to Coach our classes as best as possible.

These children typically do not require parent participation BUT should you need to start off in class due your child’s needs then please do.
Do not think because of their age they will miraculously not need you.
Transition is important – physical participation may not be required but verbal facilitation can be needed so please support the Coaches efforts in this area.

- WEB SITE DESIGN BY OTBTOURS.COM -