If you’re preparing to teach seniors for the first time, you’re probably thinking about how it might differ from teaching other age groups.
In the first on-demand Boots on the Snow webinar, Education Development Manager Angelo Ross and Northwest Region Senior Specialist Lead Michael Birch-Jones answer this question and share best practices for teaching adult and senior learners. During the webinar, you’ll also learn the specifics of the CAP model for teaching seniors, which is less about developmental stages and more about the early/transitional/later stages of aging. The focus is on longevity, whether it’s throughout the day or across the years.
Where a 30-something-year-old might come to a lesson with lofty goals of skiing steeper bumps faster, older adults and seniors often have different motivations. More often than not, folks at this stage of life want to ski with their grandkids, a new partner, or a group of friends. Motivation is more about community and less about competition and perfection.
Birch-Jones points out that it’s important to slow down and ask questions during these lessons. It’s also a good idea to move a bit slower, take breaks, and recognize that learners may be nervous about getting injured.