How to teach kids.

[Cappy]

So I started taking my nephew to a kid's fencing class, and they asked me to help teach the younglings. It makes sense that I should help since I'm a fencer, and I'm going to be stuck at the class anyway.

But I'm not particularly talented at teaching kids how to fence. Part of it is that I'm not used to communicating with children, and I guess that's just something you learn. But I also don't remember how to explain the basic concepts of fencing. Is there a good resource, a book or something, that provides a detailed guide for teaching a beginner? Preferably something with an emphasis on children.

Thanks guys.

[oiuyt]

Here you go.

More usefully:

Learning Fencing
Training Fencing
Fencing Steps to Success

If you want to further develop your skills as a coach there are a number of other books I'd recommend, but if you are looking for a basic framework to teach beginners, especially children, the above should fit the bill.

-B

[Purple Fencer]

What age range are we talking about? I've found that -- generally -- there's a HUGE increase in comprehension once you get into the 10 year + range...'course it varies from kid to kid.

[Allen Evans]

I would very much reccommend, for teaching children, a read of this:

New Book on Saber and Young Fencers

I think the new book by Maitré Handleman is very good.

[Purple Fencer]

It also depends on WHAT you're teaching....if it's actual fencing that's one teaching skill set, but if it's more about simply having fun, that's a different one...hence why I asked the age range.

[Cappy]

I think my nephew is like eight or nine? Maybe he's sixteen, I don't know. Most of the kids are about his age or a bit older. I'm sure he will be able to comprehend the instructions a lot better when he's a couple years older. I'm talking about teaching them: "this is how to get en guarde" "this is how you parry" "this is how you advance."

I ordered Fencing: Steps to Success, and the one Allan Evans gave a link to. I hope by next week I will be more useful for the kids.

[TooLoftheDeviL]

I would very much reccommend, for teaching children, a read of this:

New Book on Saber and Young Fencers

I think the new book by Maitré Handleman is very good.

We're carrying Handleman's book in the shop here at Fencing.Net

http://shop.fencing.net/product_p/fb-prcgde.htm

[swordsen]

A whip, a chair, and a cattle prod are often useful in training children.

[chinbeard]

A prominent professor of elementary education once told me that the raising your voice and making threats are "among the most effective ways to get kids to pay attention and learn stuff."

[Cappy]

A prominent professor of elementary education once told me that the raising your voice and making threats are "among the most effective ways to get kids to pay attention and learn stuff."

Is that a true story? That's hilarious if it is.

[catwood1]

Step 1: Buy a bag of jolly ranchers.
Step 2: Buy a bull whip.
Step 3. Experiment with combinations of the 2...

[T H U G]

When you be teachin
dont be a reachin
cuz den u wud be leechin
and dat wouldn't be beetchin

Start out small
advance down a hall
lunge at da wall
don't let em fall

move up slowly
but keep it fun!
move up slowly
they'll learn a ton!
move up slowly
And lock up your gun!

teachin kids be easy
but it ain't always breezy
just do yo best
and dey'll learn. Fo sheezy!

[Bonehead]

Be Loud.

Be Energetic.

Show Real Enthusiasm and Interest in what your saying.

Be Understanding.

Speak Slowly.

Speak Simply.


If you do these things, people of all ages will listen to you.

[piste off]

Be Loud.

Be Energetic.

Show Real Enthusiasm and Interest in what your saying.

Be Understanding.

Speak Slowly.

Speak Simply.


If you do these things, people of all ages will listen to you.

I'm sorry... I missed what you said as I was watching this clip of a cute little cat playing with a ball of string on YouTube.

R-

[Bonehead]

Originally Posted by Bonehead
Be Loud.

Be Energetic.

Show Real Enthusiasm and Interest in what your saying.

Be Understanding.

Speak Slowly.

Speak Simply.


If you do these things, people of all ages will listen to you.
I'm sorry... I missed what you said as I was watching this clip of a cute little cat playing with a ball of string on YouTube.

Exact quote. 100% recall. Excellent.

[SJCFU#2]

YELL AT IT!
(the louder the better)

Oh, wait - that's how to train your dragon.

Never mind

[JacoKierkegaard]

Ply them with wine and women.

[occasionalfencer]

Constantly evaluate your own teaching. Watch your students, and listen to them. If you try to teach something and they are learning it, then you taught it. If they did not learn it, do not blame the students, try a different way to teach it. If you try three different ways to teach one concept or action and none of them work, give up on that until you have learned more from a more experienced teacher. If you have one, or miraculously two, really talented kids who skew the curve, don't use them to evaluate your teaching.