LETS SKATE SKATEBOARD PROGRAM

HISTORY



We have been teaching skateboarding to children in Bern, Switzerland since 2007. We have been teaching under the city of Bern "Faeger" program, which provides youth with sports activities during weekends and school holidays. We have taught hundreds of school age children between the ages of 7-15, at all levels of experience and background, from beginner to expert.

 

We are an international group of Instructors and skaters, a multi-lingual skateboard program, instructing in Swiss-German, German, English, and French (when needed). In the past, we have conducted All Girls classes, Free Skate Clinics, hosted demos from Doodah sponsored skaters. Of course, each skater will get a diploma for his achievement in completion of the course, with recognition of his/her special accomplishments or contest results. During the last day of class, we always have a "Funtest" where skaters can earn prizes, like an autographed poster or T-shirt from Glen or a prize from Doodah Skateshop!

 

New for 2018

We will offer more weekend "TRY Skateboarding" clinics, longer Summer Camps, travel to other skateparks, plus we will provide complete skateboards to try out, more prizes, and more demos from Doodah skaters!!



TEACHING PHILOSOPHY

The Teaching Model:  Children learn new skills in different ways and at different rates, so it is important for the instructor to use varied methods to teach each skill. Students must develop a motor program, a mental and physical sequence to do a skill, toward mastery. The teacher must constantly monitor each skater’s progress and adapt and adjust his approach to students’ skill level and learning style. Once a skill is mastered, the instructor can then modify a skill to make a new skill, thereby building on previous learning, simple to complex.

 

Basic Goals:

• Ensure understanding of safe skating practices and skate park etiquette

• To display a variety of attainable skills for individual progression

• To foster community spirit, camaraderie, and inspire ownership in your skate park

• To share skills and knowledge with each other

• Have fun while learning and practicing through games, activities, and “light” competition  we call "Funtests"

• To teach basic equipment maintenance and learn about skateparks in Switzerland

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There are several components to our successful lessons:

• Introduce the Skill

• Demonstration and Explaining the skill

• Practice the skill and reinforce proper technique

• Review-provide feedback and correct errors

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Introduce the skill- Aside from learning how to do a skill; students should understand why a skill is important, how they can apply it to skating situations

 

Demonstration and Explaining the skill- Some students learn by hearing how a skill is performed, others learn by seeing. It is important for instructors to demonstrate each skill very clearly. This may mean exaggerating certain movements so the student has a clear vision of the dynamic

 

Practice- A student can understand a skill, but the body learns by building muscle memory. New skills must be practiced and repeated properly.

 

Review-It is vital for instructors to check for the students understanding of the skills they’ve learned, as well as provide constructive feedback, correct errors, and establish goals for the future.

 

Our Practice Sessions:

• We prepare a plan for the session, a plan of what performance objectives we will strive to accomplish, and the sequence and timing of the session (modified by environmental factors such as heat, rain, wind, etc, student input, assistant coach input, and lessons learned from previous sessions)

• We meet with all instructors before class begins to insure understanding and consistency and smooth running of the session

• We check students’ equipment for proper function and safety, as well as check pads and assist them with putting them on. We make sure students have what they need for the class

• We allow adequate time to practice and get feedback from instructors

• We monitor and evaluate if the skills and place are appropriate for the students age, skill level and interests (eg. Are students challenged yet not frustrated? Did students practice enough or not enough? Is each skater working on something to succeed in? Are we using all available equipment at the park?)

• We continually evaluate the session to improve future sessions. We determine if students experienced a reasonable amount of success, that skaters were not afraid to make mistakes, get skater feedback about session, motivate skaters and give them encouragement and praise, and we try to ensure the practice was fun!

 

Recognition:

We recognize the importance of Recognition and being rewarded for efforts and accomplishment made in the course. So, In Recognition for demonstrating tricks, we have stickers available to give out on a daily basis. Upon completion of the course, we offer each student an “official” diploma (often with something written from Instructor). We also offer generous PRIZES from our Sponsor Doodah for various things during the course.( For example, Most Progress Made Award, Best Trick street or ramp, Most Creative Trick, Youngest Skater Award, Fastest Slalom Racer, Etc.)

 

Our Instructor Attributes:

• Our Instructors try to help ALL their students experience some degree of success, overcome fear, and give sense of accomplishment to students

• He does not assume students who make the trick first, do it the best

• He is Patient with students

• Understands a student must be motivated to learn, therefore, a good coach will himself be passionate and motivated to teach (act as a model) and thereby motivating students

• Makes skaters feel it’s OK to make mistakes, that falling is part of the learning process

• Our Instructors focus on making students comfortable executing skills

• Our Programs focus on student attention, supervision, and direction

• We keep parents involved and informed about progress of student, and welcome them to watch the skate sessions, and even assist in training (esp on halfpipe)

• Our Instructors are professional, positive, and portray a positive image of skating by good appearance and attitude at all times. Profanity and insults, bullying, laughing at others are not tolerated with Instructors or students

• Our instructors adapt and adjust their approach to accommodate children’s behavior*

• Promotes awareness of safety, consideration of others, and a clean skatepark

• Our Instructors are great skaters too!!

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*How do our Instructors adapt and adjust their approach to accommodate children’s behavior?

1. Instructor gains students attention, trust and respect in a controlled environment

2. He teaches in a way that fits the students’ preferred learning style

3. Some students’ need more recognition, reassurance, praise, and positive reinforcement than adults do to keep focused and motivated

4. Are supportive and helpful to create non-threatening environment conductive to learning and fun

5. Because attention spans are shorter, Instructor needs to be creative in approach, making fun and small achievements possible (possibly thru a game or easy tricks)

6. We take frequent breaks and change activity or obstacle to make students more motivated and interested about skating. Dehydration is a problem, esp when it’s hot, so students need to be reminded to drink often, as they often forget from all the excitement!

7. Our Instructors are educated in regard to child cognitive and motor development. Young children need more physical help and demonstration, teens understand more logic and intellect, and understand more from explanations and less physical assistance

ABOUT LETS SKATE