We have been having trouble retaining younger students . Particularly in junior classes. Any suggestions?

Question

We allready use the typical NAPMA format.

Answer 1

Hi,
One thing I would suggest is getting older students who are interested in teaching involved in helping with the junior classes.

We did this at my club, at the kids loved it - I think it gave them a kind of focus (as in if they keep training they will get to do the 'big' class) and also they liked that they were hanging out with older people.

The bonus is that it gives them more time to learn properly and they enjoy having one-to-one teaching.

Naturally you have to pick the students who help out carefully and support them in what they are doing, but it also gives them a new element in their training if they want it.

Hope this helps

Answer 2

Summer months are usually down time for kids because of vacations and the like. It begins to pick up around this time.

Some kids get used to the time off and don't want to come back. Kids classes usually have a high turnover. This is why I really don't teach much kids.

Alot of teachers base their income around generating kid classes. They love to put parents on contract. I prefer to talk with the students after executing kata and application for them. I put them in a circle, powwow style and have a heart to heart talk with them. Show them the benefits and convince them of their potential. Then, I tell them that they have to be loyal to themselves and make a pact with themselves that they will work hard and not give up no matter how hard it gets. I tell them they are going to get hurt on the floor... fall, tire out, etc. If they quit, they are letting themselves down... selling themselves short.

I let them know that I will still be here and other students will learn what they won't be learning anymore.

My top two... the ones that stay... are suppoesedly "special" kids. Slightly Autistic and one Down Syndrome. They make my experience more worthwhile than the so-called "normal" kids.

That's been my experience.

Answer 3

That age group is hard to retain for a lot of reasons. School, sports and social activities usually start to overwhelm them and make demands for their time. Along with that they start getting ready for driving, cost of insurance, dating and the cost everything of else and getting part time jobs to earn money towards those things. Try to instill in them the need for them to stay involved in martial arts even if its only working out twice per week instead of four or five times per week like they may have used to when they were younger. Explain to them that as they mature and grow older and more demands are made for their time they are on their way to becoming young adults and just like adults they may have to cut back a little or learn how to juggle and balance a multitude of things but coming twice per week is way better than not coming at all.

Some will stay-some wont. You are literally competing with everything else in their lives at that point for their time, energy, and attention. Try to stay in contact with those that drop out by sending them a card on their birthdays and always ask friends and parents how they are doing if they do drop out. If you can keep it in their minds that you and martial arts is still there for them then some of them may stay with you or come back when they can.

Answer 4

Children need to feel special. A little praise goes a long way with children.

Each child needs to be singled out for praise, and they will come back for more.

Even the most challenged student will have something that they are good at. When you see it, jump at it and tell them (using their name.. important ) in front of the whole class, how good that was.

The child will beam with pride, and will work harder, and yes, they will definitely be back !

Answer 5

send them to the office plan and simple