Teaching Adults or Teaching Children?
By Graceekwenx
@Graceekwenx (3160)
Philippines
November 16, 2009 5:59am CST
Who do you prefer to teach, adults or children? Which is more challenging to teach, adults or children? Whats the difference?
The reason i started this discussion is because i was commissioned by my mom to train a group of youngsters (age 6-12) so that they could serve in the Church thru singing. I have heard these kids sing, they do have the ear but they all sound like junior rockstars. I have never experienced teaching kids, in fact, i always fear teaching kids because i can really get rough. I am afraid to hurt their feelings, apart from the scenario that they can always tell their parents that i am such a "torMENTOR." I have experience in teaching an adult choir, but i am not sure if i would be as good with. I am not sure if i could hit it off. Please share me your thoughts. How can i adapt my skills on kids? I really appreciate it.
3 responses
@cloudwatcher (6861)
• Australia
11 Dec 09
Teaching adults / teens / children are all different scenarios, with different rewards.
I have been involved in children's and teens ministry for more than 40 years, have taught adults for nearly 50 years and have been a counsellor for that time as well. Over the years, my preferences have changed.
I see children's ministry as THE most important and it occupies the majority of my time now; more so in writing, preparing materials and programs and organising events, but also in teaching.
I see teenagers as the most challenging to teach. They are the most vulnerable people in our society and they are being forced to grow beyond their maturity.
Adults? Well it depends on the adults, but I possibly enjoy teaching adults more than other groups, especially when they want to dig the depths.
Each group brings rich rewards. Each group brings its own sorrows and challenges. Only you can know where you best fit.
@Graceekwenx (3160)
• Philippines
27 Dec 09
thank you cloudwatcher. the reason why i put this post is because i would soon be handling a children's choir next year! i never had any experience with kids... i had however, with adult choir.. and my experience with that is that after some time, they change their priorities (which i expect from them). Some of them got employed in call centers; while some fell in love with another such that they would rather go dating than attend choir practices. Adults change their priorities to complement their social needs and in a way, they could no longer do their commitments to serve as choir members. Furthermore, there are some adults who lazy around as if they are tired of learning new stuff and that they dont want to improve in their craft anymore. they just stay in the choir for the sake of friends and not for the actual service. And these are the reasons why i could no longer handle an adult choir. I honestly find it frustrating because adults dont share the same commitment as i do.
@cloudwatcher (6861)
• Australia
1 Jan 10
Hi Grace. As someone who is extremely committed to any service I undertake, I understand your frustrations. However, I think that in ANY group you will find a variety of personalities, of commitment and of attitudes.
Children can easily be encouraged, inspired and enthused. While adults are usually more set in their ways, YOUR enthusiasm will also inspire them. If you lose some who are not committed, it can be a good thing, and can lead to more committed ones wanting to join when they see a real opportunity.
Thanks for the best response.
@my_name_is_coco (4333)
• Philippines
26 Dec 09
I have no experience in teaching.the closest thing I got being a teacher was when I was in high school and during "Teacher's Day",we give them a whole day off and we substitute as teachers for them.I handled second and third grader.it was topsy-turvy,but it was actually fun.children love to have fun while learning,so I devised games for them.in my opinion,teaching children is fun,but a whole lot of pressure.you have to teach kids the right things, because they will remember what they've thought until they grow older.as compared to adults,we are opinionated.sometimes,when we don't agree with an opinion,it leads to arguments.
@Graceekwenx (3160)
• Philippines
27 Dec 09
hi coco. i guess i would be grappling with teaching kids soonest. i would be teaching a children's choir next year and i must say that it would really be challenging. based on your advice above, i guess i should be creative enough to think of other fun stuff to extend children's attention. True also that i better teach kids the extracted right things as it is something that would be stocked in their memory banks.
@ishme4nowz (679)
• United States
23 Dec 09
I think I would rather teach adults because they will have more respect for the teacher and they are more likely to pay attention instead of fooling around. For children, it takes a lot more patience to teach them because they're kids and you can say that they don't know any better so they have to be taught a lot of things. For adults, they've already been taught a lot of basics so you don't have to reteach those so you can assume they know proper manners when you teach them something. I think you would have to teach slowly and patiently because you can't expect kids to catch onto concepts right away.
