be like mosquitos underwater.They love zero gravity and can fly in any direction. Kids are wowed and distracted by the colors, fish, and each other.They love exploring how fast or slow they move underwater and enjoy being upside down and doing somersaults. I would suggest staying close enough for them to reach out to you whenever they need to. I like my students close enough to hold on to during training dives, current dives, first-time night dives, and wall dives. 6. Good Communication: It’s so much fun to communicate with kids underwater and teach them about marine life at that mo- ment. I always have slates for drawing with them; I enjoy their writing and communicat- ing with me in the moment, as kids need to do. I have a quick-release clip to share my Scubapro wet notes book and pencil with my students. I love their drawings of a fish they want to ask me about later and review- ing their questions that tell a story of their dives. I love teaching signs and signals to kids and letting them create new ones to share with their parents.This is one of the great- est tools to give kids and parents. Once they
start diving together, writing notes can create bonds, preserve memories, and relieve stress. 7. Ask questions: It’s essential to build trust, and getting to know your students a little better can make a difference in your dive. I ask how they feel and what they are excited to learn and see today. I ask multiple times if they are too cold, hungry, or hot. I ask if they are nervous and comfortable. I brief and debrief and then ask if they have any questions and make sure they feel every question is essential and answered. 8. Be Patient: I run a junior open water class at every Kids Sea Camp as a week-long course. If you’re used to teaching adults, when teaching kids, get out of your head and en- sure that everything runs smoothly, efficiently, and as planned.Then, you can make learning fun, take your time, and create memories to last a lifetime with kids. 9 Turn around: This is the one thing I find myself teaching and advising instructors the most.You could not take kids to a mall, carnival, or fair and walk in front of them for
more than 2 min and not turn around and expect them to be following behind you.The underwater world is like a big aquarium full of fantastic aliens and critters to be memo- rized by.The corals and walls and water are all distractions. Kids need constant over- sight. My best instructors dive backward for the majority of the dive.You are too far away if you can not see each child’s eyes clearly. 10: Why? Be prepared to answer this question in detail and often.Think about giving positive, inspiring, and safety-conscious answers.Why do I have to take my mask all the way off? Why do I have to wear a wet- suit? Why do I have to wear a snorkel? Why can’t I touch that fish? Why can’t I dive deeper? These questions must be answered with care, patience, and thoughtfulness.Try not to give answers that will scare kids. Most importantly, with kids, you have the opportunity to be the person who changes their lives, inspires their passion, and forever changes their love of the ocean.
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