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In reply to the question, I work at a club that does not allow parents to stay and watch practice for children in the levels program. Children in kinder or rec based programs can have their parents watch.
I like this idea, as a coach I dont like coaching a child when their parents are watching on. I feel like the parents will be judging what I am doing, or that I have to treat that child differently because their parent is there (for example they get to be the leader etc). This policy was only put in place about a year or so ago after the manager of the gym had a number of comments from both coaches and parents after parents had been viewing the lesson.
In gymnastics I feel it very much is the coach who knows best, I find alot of my parents dont understand the sport of gymnastics. It revolves around technique and correct shaping for safety etc, often we get parents saying "well why isnt my child doing this skill yet?" when the truth is that child isnt ready for various reasons, or they are learning that skill through drills and progressions, the parent just doesnt realise. Aswell, when parents were watching, the children would get distracted and wave etc, especially the younger ones, and it was becoming a bit of a safety issue.
I know all of my gymnasts, their strengths and weaknesses and I know exactly the sort of program each child needs (i coach kids from the age of 5 all the way to the age of 15).
I dont think there is a need for a parent to stay and watch their child train, they are given the opportunity to watch their child progress at the numerous competitions and displays.
The only time I would encourage a parent to watch a practice was if the child was unhappy, or if the parent was unhappy for any reason.
I feel I have mumbled on a bit here haha... but I strongly believe that in the more serious programs it is better for the parents not to watch.
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