Forums > Social Chat > Teaching poi to children?

Posted: 28th Sep 2004
I would suggest getting or making poi with very soft heads. Maybe that could be the starter class. The Children, with help, make their own poi with socks and soft sponge balls. They are cheap to make. I suppose it depends on what funding you have really. As they get better you can replace the sponge balls for tennis balls or bean bags which are a bit heavier. If you have the funding I'd go for the fluffy poi on HoP. Everyone says they are the softest poi about.

Make sure you have lots of helpers, because trying to keep control of lots and lots of small children all spinning at once would be quite hard. Also they will all learn at different rates so will need a bit more one to one attention.

Make sure they do a few stretching warm up movements first.
Maybe if you have the space you could introduce other things as you go along, tumbling, juggling, Staff, diablo.... there are plenty to choose from.

Most of all just make it fun and interesting. Invite local spinners to give them a demo. Have an end of year show that they can work up to. Let them dress up, face paint, .... it all adds to the fun.

Good Luck.

p.s. Where abouts are you? You might find willing volunteers on Hop to help you run it.

Feed me Chocolate!!! Feed me NOW!

Posted: 28th Sep 2004
I think it's a great idea! I could be completely wrong, because I don't know too much about these sorts of things, but I think the poi would be excellent for co-ordination and motor skills!

i would have changed ***** to phallus, and claire to petey Petey

Rougie: but that's what I'm doing here
Arnwyn: what letting me adjust myself in your room?..don't you dare quote that on HoP...

Posted: 28th Sep 2004
I teach in Canterbury (UK) and would be grateful for helpers but everyone that works with our kids must be police checked which costs.
Thank you stacks for ur help xx

Make your own happiness by making others happy [Ikeda]

*they used to read me stories, as though my dreams were boring*

Posted: 28th Sep 2004
Children love to learn poi - but make it soft as they will hit each other with them! Just give them the basic idea and let them loose!

[Old link] - obviously there's a lot of other crap pulled out by the search but have a browse.

Posted: 28th Sep 2004
I teach kids poi, it's great when they actually want to learn (as opposed to just wanting to just *be able to do it*)

Our local juggling club has a lot of under 10s, so when they see me w/ the poi, they want to be able to do it.

The couple who have stuck around to learn have picked it up well. I either give them the club's mouse poi, or my own sock poi. They do better with the sock poi cos they are lighter. It's great when they go away at the end of the week *Almost* being able to do a 3bt weave, and come back the next week move perfect

I wish i was closer - i'd help!

Good luck,

Lynne

"But what would you do with a brain if you had one?"

Dorothy Gale

Posted: 28th Sep 2004
Tatty my darling..

You know where we all are if you need a hand with it!

Posted: 28th Sep 2004
wow! thank u sweet pea!!! soooooo have to catch up soon!xxx

Make your own happiness by making others happy [Ikeda]

*they used to read me stories, as though my dreams were boring*

Posted: 28th Sep 2004
I'm a bit to far away to join in but I hope it all works out for you Tattty. I think its a great idea!

Feed me Chocolate!!! Feed me NOW!

Posted: 28th Sep 2004
Skulduggery has great idea's , thats actually what i used to do at the summer camp that i worked at in south africa . we taught kids and they had a blast with it.
all you need is poi that dont hurt (!), and some music , 'subconciously i think it gives the kids rythm' (sounds good) , and then you can just make up your own lesson plan from the HoP website , just follow the lessons in order !
well thats what i did!

i think , surprisingly it is alot easier than you think !

all the best

i like breaking the Law , of Gravity !

Posted: 28th Sep 2004
i teach kids in the lakes, i make aload of sock poi for them, its cheap and easy, when i teach kids i mainly teach the crossing of the arms first then that leads into the 3 beat weave when they split it, also i show them the butterfly because its a nice and easy trick to do, they get such a kick out of it whatever they do

hope this helps tattty

Remember.........YOU LOSE!!!

Posted: 28th Sep 2004
What music do you think is best?



and Im allowed to say it this time..

Posted: 28th Sep 2004
pop-dance for kids

Remember.........YOU LOSE!!!

Posted: 29th Sep 2004
thank you soooooooo much, will let u know how it goes!!!xxx

Make your own happiness by making others happy [Ikeda]

*they used to read me stories, as though my dreams were boring*

Posted: 1st Oct 2004
yeah , anything dancy

i like breaking the Law , of Gravity !

Posted: 12th Oct 2004
i made both my kids sock poi using my old toe socks works great

Life's too short to worry about where you put your marshmallows