Private Lessons?
My five year old daughter is attending a group lesson 2X a week. She was skating six days a week for 1.5 hours until the beginning of the summer when it became too much for me with swimming, dance, etc. She skates about 4 hours a week now and would skate all the time if I had the time. It seems that the teacher in the group lesson does not have the time to give the children the individual direction they need. I am wondering if it would be a good idea to add one private lesson a week. My daughter really wants to do this and has already approached a coach while on the ice. She said that she has an opening for one 30 min lesson a week. At the same time I know essentially nothing about skating and one of the other mothers seemed very surprised that I was thinking of doing this. Help! Angela |
Marie says:
Yes! By all means have her take private lessons! She will be able to learn things a lot faster (and better) than with just the classes. Make sure you put a lot of thought into selecting a coach, though. How does she get along with your daughter? How are her other students progressing? What type of credentials does she have? You may want to talk to the parents of her other students, too. Discuss your goals with her. Does your daughter want to compete? What's involved with that? What are her fees?
It sounds like from your daughter's enthusiasm/dedication, available time to practice, and young age, that she has the potential to do very well in skating!
Linda says:
Starting private lessons is a big expense but can be well worth the money. If your daughter has approached a coach on her own, that is a good sign that she wants the private lessons and is motivated. Group lessons are good but as you know, a coach can only spend so much time on each student.
Although private lessons cost more, your daughter will have the undivided attention of the coach. This will be beneficial to her. Your daughter is young but it sounds as if she is more than ready to start private lessons. If she were not as enthusiatic, you may re-think the need for privates lessons. The enthusiasm and motivation of the student is very important in skating.
It sounds as if your daughter would benefit by having extra instruction. Also, she does not need to discontinue group lessons when she starts private lessons. If private lessons do not work out, you can go back to only group lessons.