Trial Lesson Hell

Here’s some of our terrible trial lesson stories:

The uninvited guest

Doing a trial lesson in the August heat, a meaty cockroach flew out of the air-conditioning onto the trial lesson Mom’s lap. 

Signed up?: No

Lessons Learned:

• Cockroach traps needed.  
• No more trial lessons in August:  Students come hot and bothered and are less likely to sign up.
• Cockroach 1 Dave and Amy English 0.

2.  Peekaboo

You’re doing the trial lesson. The student is hiding under the table.

Signed up?: Yes.

Lessons Learned: Surprisingly, the initial shy students often adapt well and level up quickly. 

3.  Family tree

Mom, Dad, and 3 younger siblings, including a month old baby come to the trial. Often the younger children run around the room, pulling books off the shelves and generally causing havoc.

Signed up?: Mainly yes.

Lessons learned:

• Ignore siblings. It’s not your job to take care of them.
• But DO confiscate materials being crushed by young hands (why don’t the Mom and Dad do that??).
• Keep trial short and sweet.  Smile through gritted teeth . 

4. Boooooring!

The child stares mournfully out the window throughout trial.

Signed up?: Mainly yes. 

Lessons learned:

• Do the trial lesson with the Mom and Dad instead.
• Tell Mom and Dad, that with other children participating, their child will also participate.
• Kids often behave differently with Moms and Dads. 

5. Waaaaahh!

The child is FINE in the trial.  But Mom worries about the lessons when she won't be there. 

Signed up?: Mainly yes.

Lessons Learned:

• Most kids DON’T cry in lessons.
• If they do, most stop after 5 minutes.
• Kindergarteners (we start lessons from the 2nd year)  are used to being without Mom. 
• Moms worry too much.

What stories do you have??  

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