You have really missed out on one of life's most inspiring experiences if you've never put your heart into coaching a child. As coach, you carefully observe a player's beginning point, and do all you can to help that child become the best he/she can for the game/task/speech at hand. The rewards are immediate for the striving child and for you. When coaching for a specific event, take small, gentle steps with our young people as you quickly decide on two or three skills that can show results everyone can see, and the child can feel inside. There results a boost of confidence in the walk, and energetic delight in the eyes. Try offering, with heart, your experience to help a child grow; you'll love it!
Coaching as small groups and individually, last night I had the pleasure of working with six young leaders (grades 3-7) as they prepared for tonight's comedy night get-together at home. The children had a broad range of speaking experience backgrounds. Each one performed and then listened well, sometimes indulging me with specific gestures and staging. Each child diligently - and some gleefully - tried on new ways to use the voice, choosing how to assimilate them to fit the text he/she has chosen.
By the end of our practice-and-refine session, we felt the warmth of accomplishment and laughter in the air. Thanks to one of the thoughtful young moms who organized the rehearsal and the event, several families will tonight enjoy their neighborhood comedy night. There will be laughter, pride, and more laughter!
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