Monday 19 November 2007
difficulty running class
I run/ ran weekly pre-primary balance/strength/coordination classes at prac. There are 6 kids in each class and we run a circuit type of class which required at least one person supervising at each station. We routinely run into issues regarding parent help with the activities especially in the last week. One of the parents with twins in the class told me that "she was here to gassbag and not be our slaves",two of the others went out to smoke and one other staued in the waiting room, leaving 2 mothers to help as out over 6 stations. The session ended up being really hectic as we had to continually run around checking for child safety and technique. My supervisor was going to say something to the parents about their lack of help, but chose not to in the end. She said since I was running the class I could have said something along the lines of could you please help out more during the next week, but I didn't feel like it would have been appropriate for a student who doesn't have any kids etc to say something like that. Would you guys agree, or would you have said something?
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4 comments:
I feel this is quite a difficult one, as the parents more than likely would have felt quite confronted especially having a uni student, like you said with no kids telling them how it is. In the end though its the safety of their kids that is involved. The class is for the benifit of their children and if they're not willing to help out they should find a different program. I personally, in that situation would not have said anything, in saying that though it needs to be delt with, prehaps via a letter explaining to the parents their responsibilities, or prehaps a general talk at the begginning of the class explaining what is required by EACH person at EACH station. Ideally before the next group of kids enrol it would be explained to the parents it's not day care and they do have to help!
Tricky Nikki, but knowing me I would have said something.
Parents need to understand that their children also enjoy playing with their parents (that the session shouldn't be treated as day care but has a clear purpose in mind)
I have seen a lot of parents lately who don;t seem to know how to play with their children and if their attitude is to go out and have a smoke during the class, I'd be very disappointed and would have something to say about it.
It's different if a parent doesn't get involved because they're shy but even thats no excuse, make them useful somehow!
Sounds like some ground rules need to be set for the next time (eg. next term) with clear expectations about the goals and participation in the class.
Maybe also it would be better that each parent follows their own child between stations (some may feel uncomfortable supervising a child other than their own).
I agree with your supervisor, as the physio who ran the class, you should be able to demonstrate skills to handle this very common situation. You will just need to educate the parents that they meant to be part of the class and it was how the class was set up. Also explain to them that their participation will help with the ultimate goals of the class " to improve their children's phsyical strength for coming preprimary school". Instead of saying safety things, explain to them if they want their kids to be ready for the preprimary, they'd better join the class because their kids learn quicker with their parents involved.
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Boulder Physiotherapy
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