A simple and visual method for checking in on how the children are feeling both before and after practice. Doing the same thing when practice ends provides an indication of how the session was experienced.
How it works:
Check-in (at the start of practice)
- Gather the group and ask: “How are you feeling today?”
- The children show thumbs up (good), in the middle (okay), or down (not so good).
- Adjust the practice as needed—for example, expectations or choice of exercises.
Check-out (at the end of practice)
- Gather the group after practice and ask: “How are you feeling now?”
- The children show their thumbs again.
- Compare with how they felt before.
This provides valuable feedback on how the practice was experienced and gives you as a coach the opportunity to identify any participants who may need an extra pat on the back. Feel free to discuss emotions and that it is okay not to always feel great, but also how feelings can change through practice.
