turning potential setbacks into growth opportunities. Give them a wonderful first experience, making them feel com- fortable and aware of the trust they're placing in their in- structor. For me, I take seriously that I could be shaping a life path TRAINING continued
call a dive if something feels off. As a mom, I can tell even with a regulator in their mouth and mask on if a child is smiling, happy, sad, or frightened – train your staff to read these underwater cues through eyes and body language . Never push beyond
– many of my students have be- come Divemasters, instructors, or pursued marine science ca- reers. As a mom, when parents entrust their kids to me, I treat each like my own, and I recom- mend instilling this mindset in your staff to heighten their vigi- lance. Not all instructors are suited for kids, so during training, as-
readiness; kids get cold, tired, and hungry faster, so mandate shade, breaks, snacks, and hydra- tion in your protocols. When I started 25 years ago, safe kid-friendly programs were scarce, so I created Kids Sea Camp as a "bunny slope" for gentle introductions. For your shop, this could mean designing progressive courses that ease
sess for key traits: patience for repetitive questions (kids love to ask "why" endlessly), a gentleness beyond adult teaching, and kindness that slows everything down. Make learning fun – turn skills into games, hold hands through anxieties, wipe tears after tough moments, calm fears with stories, and always make them feel heard. Know when to
kids in, sparking interest in non-diving parents – especially moms who feel intimidated by the "dive ninja" style but see family fun through their children's success. Train staff to assess students like dive conditions: Ask "How are you feeling today? Excited to dive?" before
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