Teaching Children's Beading Classes

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Teaching Children's Beading Classes

by Abigail
(South Africa)

For a while now I have been thinking about having children's beading classes while mom and dad are shopping perhaps 2 - 3 hours.

Where I attend beading classes, they do have the same, only thing is they don't advertise, it's not their primary focus. They focus on the adult beading classes.

The girls that attend these classes seem to be about 9 years old and upwards.

I would like to start from the age of maybe 4 or 5 years old.

Where can I look for some insight and also the requirements for this kind of class?

It wouldn't be a day care so I don't think I would need certificates for this kind of thing would I? I would like to do it correctly.

Abigail
South Africa

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Teaching Children's Beading Classes

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Teaching Children's Beading Classes
by: Rena

Hi Abigail,

Here are some thoughts that occurred to me while reading your question.

You could offer beading birthday party events. You might work up a few different party package deals to offer.

Children might enjoy making their own beads (from paper, clay, or other materials) and then using those beads to make jewelry.

You could offer "make jewelry for Mom" classes before Mother's Day, Christmas, etc.

Regarding business licensing, regulations, etc.:

Although I've never been to South Africa (yet!), I would imagine that your city has some type of government office / agency that oversees business licenses and regulations.

You can probably find their phone number or website in your local government listings. Before contacting them, make a list of all the questions you have regarding licensing and regulations related to your beading classes, so you can cover everything in one phone call or meeting.

As far as needing to be officially certified to teach beading - I wouldn't think any sort of teaching credentials would be necessary, especially if you aren't presenting yourself as a school.

Regarding working with children of ages 4 or 5 - I think it would be a good idea to have another adult present during your classes.

Not all kids of this age stay seated and working on a project for very long at a time. And it would be difficult and exhausting to help some kids with a beading activity while keeping an eye on other kids who are more interested in doing something else.

If you had an assistant helping you - or even a responsible teenager - your beading activities could run more smoothly.

You may want to limit the number of children you have in each beading class.

You may also want to reserve the right to refuse to have a disruptive child in future beading classes.

I would have the parents fill out an information sheet before leaving their child for the beading session. Does the child have any health issues (allergies, asthma, diabetes, illness, etc.) you should know about?

Also be sure to get the parents' names and cell phone numbers in case you need to contact them about their child during the class.

I hope this helps, Abigail!

I think you have a good idea going here - and I wish you all the best with it. Please let us know how it goes for you!

young age
by: Tina

At that age I would not do classes as a "drop-off." You could have a side class for the kids in the next room or other side of the room to the parents class. I would make it a requirement that the parent take a class, or I would only market the kids class as "mommy & me" classes. Definitly have a helper with the kids.

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