Children’s School Manual
“The important thing is not so much that every child should be taught, as that every child should be given the wish to learn.”
— John Lubbock
Teaching skiing or snowboarding is an important job filled with responsibility especially for those teaching children. Parents allow us the privilege of spending time with their children and teaching them to enjoy the sport of skiing and snowboarding. We treat these children as our own and provide them with a safe learning environment. In your efforts to provide a fun lesson be sure that safety is not compromised.
Safety
Incorporate the teaching and practice of the Responsibility Code.
Responsible instructors are aware where all the members of a class are, what the energy/comfort level is of each student and what their abilities/limitations are, what terrain is suitable for all members of the group and what condition that terrain is in.
Remember that young children have a limited concept of what cold is and how long they are able to “play” in what may be a relatively alien environment. Children’s instructors should intuitively observe behavior and ask questions in such a way that a youngster can give a meaningful response.
Schedule
Morning lessons (Mini-Camp, Mini-Riders, Small Fry Camp) run 9:30am-12:00pm.
Afternoon lessons (Mini-Camp, Mini-Riders) run 1pm-3:30pm.
Full day lessons (Mini-Camp, Mini-Riders, Ski Camp, Snowboard Camp) run 9:30am-3:30pm.
Small Fry Try runs 12:15pm-1pm.
Breaks
Children need breaks, especially if it is very cold outside or if they are fatigued (primarily the beginners and mini-camp children).
Don’t be excessive: keep them short (5-10 minutes is plenty of time), take your breaks halfway through the lesson (not too close to the beginning or end of the session) - this reduces the likelihood of fatigue, frostbite, heat exhaustion, dehydration, and bathroom accidents as well as ensures there is enough time before and after to teach something meaningful.
Each child may have one cup of hot chocolate (half cup for mini campers) on cold days. On warm days have children drink water and take breaks outside if possible.
Make sure children have enough opportunities to use the restroom (no pee, no ski!) to prevent bathroom accidents while on the mountain.
Lunch
Each day lunch will be served to kids in full day programs. If you are teaching a full day program, you will bring your group to lunch at the time assigned at briefing. Each instructor is responsible for their students during lunchtime.
Lunch responsibilities include serving food and drinks, taking children to restroom, and helping kids with hats, gloves, and goggles. Everyone is responsible for keeping our area in the dining room clean and stocked. If an item is running low, please tell the dining room manager or a supervisor.
Morning & Afternoon Activities
Morning Activities: 9:00 - 9:30 am
Afternoon Activities: 3:30 - 4:00 pm
The instructors assigned to Morning and/or Afternoon Activities can choose from a variety of activities depending on weather and the ages and energy level of the children.
Mountain Village activity location will be in the Mountain Sports office. Madison Base activity location is the supervisor’s office.
This product is complimentary when parents, guardians, or older children are in group lessons.
A Typical Day
Example Ski Camp Day
9:15am Be in Kids Bowl for briefing; Kids start arriving/Ski-Off starts
9:30-11:30am Morning lesson time
Start with easy terrain for the level
Maybe take a short break
12:00pm Lunch will be around this time
1:00pm-3:25pm Afternoon lesson time
Fill out a report card
Maybe take a short break
3:25pm This is the time you should aim to be back at the Kids Bowl
Debrief parents
Example Mini Camp Day
9:15am Be in Kids Bowl for briefing; Kids start arriving/Ski-Off starts
9:30-11:30am Morning lesson time
Start with easy terrain for the level
Fill out a report card for half-day students
Maybe take a short break
12:00pm Drop off and debrief with parents of half-day students at the Kids Bowl
1:00pm If you had a morning lesson, return to Kids Bowl
Afternoon students are placed in lessons
1:00pm-3:25pm Afternoon lesson time
Fill out a report card
Maybe take a short break
3:25pm This is the time you should aim to be back at the Kids Bowl
Debrief parents
Class Handling
The Mountain Sports School teaches with the philosophy that technique is more important than terrain. Often children/parents see skiing or riding down difficult terrain as the measure of success and therefore ski on terrain above their capabilities, which in turn creates poor technique. This is called “over-terraining” and should be avoided. We should stress the fact that mastering the technique will allow mastery of more difficult terrain.
Teaching children is challenging and places responsibilities with us that we would not have if we were teaching adults. We cannot assume with children as we can with adults, that they can be responsible for themselves. We should be the authority.
Remember that you are the responsible party in charge. Do not allow your kids to talk you into something they are not prepared for. For example: skiing a blue run before being ready; letting them go somewhere on their own or taking a jump that is not safe. We want to have fun, but we should also be in charge.
Another important item is keeping the children together. Discuss rules and expectations with the group and check for understanding before leaving the Kid’s Bowl at the beginning of the lesson, including staying together and what to do if anyone gets lost. Set up a meeting place/plan in the event of a child getting separated from the group. You, the instructor, should continuously observe the children and count them regularly. **AVOID LOSING CHILDREN!!** If you have a missing child, contact the Mountain Sports School office immediately and notify a supervisor.
Parent Handling
As stated earlier, the Mountain Sports School instructs with the philosophy that technique is more important than terrain. Often parents see a run down difficult terrain as the measure of success, regardless of the technique used. More often than not, this causes a parent to expect placement in a higher group level. This will be detrimental to the child’s development as a skier/rider. We should stress the fact that mastering the technique will allow mastery of more difficult terrain.
Children are not our only concern. Parents are anxious to know how their child is doing. Therefore, it is important we give the parents our undivided attention when speaking to them about the lesson.
Fill out progress cards and, whenever possible provide a verbal report to parents.
Parents frequently overstate their child’s abilities. Many things contribute to this. The most common being that the child may not have skied/ridden since the previous season. It is our job, as professionals, to explain why a child is placed in a certain group.
Acknowledge their concerns and discuss the matter with the parents. Remember that children will feel a sense of accomplishment when being moved up to another group. They will also feel a great disappointment if moved down a group. For this and other reasons we should be certain of the placement choices we make. Never hesitate to refer the parents to a supervisor. We are here to help you!
Progress Cards
Finish the lesson with enough time to complete the progress cards. Fill out as much as possible before returning to the meeting area.
Review progress cards with parents in the meeting area.
All Ski Camp, Ski Mini Camp, Mini Rider Camp, Snowboard Camp and Small Fry Try students should receive progress cards. These should be completed by the end of each lesson and given to each student or parent, with an explanation of what has been achieved etc., as time permits.
The skills outlined on each of the cards should be mastered before moving to the next level. At times there may be pressure to advance a child to the next level before the child is ready. This is done at the risk of upsetting the group dynamics. Splits in ability will develop, creating difficulty for fellow instructors.
Be certain that you and the student are confident in his or her abilities before progressing to the next level.
Other Things to Know
***Please be sure to review the following sections of the Mountain Sports School Instructor Manual:***
Mountain Sports Lift Riding Protocols
And check out these resources for more information: