The Parent Trap

So, the restrictions are off. We can go back to some form of normal classes, which means a number of things: more kids, more fun, more… parents.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I like parents. Some of my best friends are parents. I have parents of my own. In fact I have been one myself for many years.

Without the fantastic parents we have at Noodle, we wouldn’t have made it through lockdown. They are the ones that make you smile when you open the doors, the ones who make you cry when you read the gorgeous card thanking you for xxxx’s progress and the ones who email horrified, to ask if they owe money when the general fee reminder goes out – even though they paid within 5 minutes of the fees being added 6 weeks before.

Huge thanks to you all!

 
And for those parents who are just about to start their journey into the world of activities and classes, those searching the internet and local press, trying to find the best options for their offspring, those considering signing their kids up for tasters and new groups of any kind this September – here’s a quick guide to making new classes great, for you, for the teacher and for your kids!

Help us help you

There are all sorts of activity classes across Cheshire, in different venues with different times, for different ages (from those new to walking to 16 year olds) so emails like “have you availability for my daughter?” are really obscure. Let providers know where you are, how old your child is and some specifics about what they want to do.

Reply

Sometimes the information you get back won’t suit you. It’s impossible to please everyone all the time and kids do so many activities there are bound to be clashes. Timetabling and pricing are a nightmare for all providers but going silent just leaves us thinking: “shall I pester them further?”, “do I delete their registration?” and “did they even get the email”? Which leads me onto this…

Always Check Your Spam!!

Business emails are renowned for ending up in the junk. So if you find us there, please mark us as safe, or if you aren’t interested anymore, tell us so we can leave you alone!

Read the boring stuff!

I have sent out more ‘informative emails’ than ever this year due to coronavirus: class info, Covid info, New Starter info, I may have slipped in my bra size and favourite tipple as well along the way. Just to see who read it. Oh, I’m no angel. I am the worst for scan-reading school emails and such, but since Covid I really have tried, because these emails are hard to write, they take ages and they need to be read. Sometimes you really need to know!

Trust the teacher

The relief on many forums for kids’ activity providers when Boris announced that parents should remain not just outside the class, but outside the building, was quite overwhelming. I have taught the 3-7 year age group for over 10 years and I know that a parent in class can be a worse obstacle to a child’s progression than anything else. I consider myself a good driver but sit watching me, and my gearbox will not thank you for it. It’s the same for teaching and learning. Teachers teach and children learn better when left to get on with it and their confidence flourishes as a result. If a child really can’t come in the room without their responsible adult then maybe they aren’t quite ready yet, but insisting on staying there puts pressure on everyone in the room, big and small.

Give it time…

Taster sessions are a bit odd, really. Tesco wouldn’t let you eat a crisp without buying the bag and it doesn’t give you the full flavour. One session doesn’t really help kids take the time they need to process stuff. It’s overwhelming: lots of other kids are there, doing strange unfamiliar things. Some kids will dive right in, others will stand and watch but that might be their way. Give it a chance and another session, you wouldn’t throw someone in a pool and expect them to start swimming straight away. If your child doesn’t pirouette out of their first toddler dance class – so be it!

Most importantly, free session or not, turn up. Be there and give it a go and if you can’t make it then tell someone – preferably the provider. They’ve spent a long time waiting to reopen their doors fully, be the fantastic supportive parent that helps keep them that way.