8 things to ask when choosing a Kids Life Coach Training service provider

1. Ask about the background of the teachers...have the people who are training you, actually coached or worked with children themselves or are they simply adult coaches or parents who have decided to train others to coach children because they identified a need.  Who will you be learning from and what positions them as experts?  I need to get clear here...it is easy to get into a magazine or onto Television or radio and to self promote and have a huge social media following...what really counts is what has happened behind closed doors....don't get lured into the shiny syndrome of "social media" influencers. They aren't always there because of true expert status...they may just be better at marketing and they are good at 'selling'....So get clear on the values and qualities that you are looking for in your teacher. 

 

2. Ask if they have validation and testimonials.  Have they been part of a validated publication and do they present at conferences as Childrens change makers? Do they have client testimonials and have you verified these by speaking to some of the people they have interviewed? Recently I spoke to somebody who said her ex colleague had trained as a kids life coach and she saw a public testimonial of her experience on a website. When she made contact with her colleague to ask about the training, she was told that the person suggested she trains with us at Kids Life Studio® instead and that she had made a mistake and would rather have trained with us.  So when looking at testimonials and videos showing client feedback make sure that it is genuine and not only window dressing? Also do they simply "blow their own horn" and make claims which cannot be validated. This may shock you, but some providers have even been known to 'invest into' influencers to vouch for them - yes...this happens!  The influencer is usually respected for their huge following and achievements so when people see or hear their endorsement, they tend to be swayed. Be sure that it is not only influencers but also everyday people speaking about them and referring you to them because of a good track record.

3. Ask if there is personal mentorship to guide you through the things you can’t learn in textbooks. Any organisation that only offers online training at a 'low cost' entry level doesn't really want to take accountability for results.  Even some who offer 'higher cost' training offer superficial support with no follow up and follow through after the training is complete.  When choosing a training provider, if they are serious about helping children, they would be willing to mentor you through the learning journey and afterwards. This may cost more at times...so be sure to compare apples with apples but even if it costs the same...still compare apples with apples! Also ask about professional supervision since all serious career coaches should be mentored on an ongoing basis and be held accountable for their results by properly verified supervisors. 

 

4. Ask how their training programme is structured. Does the training programme include only theoretical aspects. Or is there also a practical application so that you can successfully apply the techniques and get results coaching children?  Are there assignments to complete for the theory and case studies for the practical side? How will you be held accountable for your results? Is there a certificate? A particular pass mark? Is there personal feedback or is it all automated?  Is there a set time frame for completion? Is there ongoing mentorship and support and what does this look like?  Our Kids Life Coach Diploma for instance, takes 3 months and becoming an Advanced Coach can take longer. We do this because our structure is aimed at getting you sustainable results so that you can start earning an income coaching children quickly and effectively. 

 

5. Ask if the coaches they train are full time career coaches using their methods or part-time dabblers using a mish mash of a variety of methods?  Don't get me wrong....coaching part-time is okay...after all, that is how I started when I was teaching. But... if the service provider can't reassure you that their methods will ensure you can leave your current full-time career at least within 12 months...then I would think again. Alongside this, if they are only using one method or approach to coaching children, then you are being 'boxed' into a system that may not be adaptable to your personality or to the needs of your future clients who may be neurodiverse or have more complex needs. 

 

6. Ask the year of their inception. Entry to market date is important as many people have simply jumped on the bandwagon on a popular new niche. Kids Life Coaching is becoming popular and there are lots of "new kids on the block" who genuinely want to help but sometimes they haven't yet refined their systems.  Some new training service providers simply see opportunity but don't have a track record to back up their claims.  Everybody starts somewhere but go with somebody who has shown they are in it for the long haul. Also if somebody may seem to have been in this for a long time...are they specialists in ONLY coaching children or did they diversify from coaching adults and training in mental health initially into coaching children. 

 

7. Ask if their approach is based on an evidence informed approach. This is very important! You don't want to be using a coaching model that is based on irrelevant adult coaching techniques or on what I call "wishy washy" esoteric notions or superficial jargon that looks good in textbooks and not in practice. If it can't be backed by Science and Psychology....stay away! Make sure they use an approach that is verified and that it has been peer reviewed - this means an academic institution has reviewed their work and endorsed it. Also be careful of what may appear to be academic verification. Some "diplomas" and "certificates" are of a poor quality and provided by independent providers and not academic institutions despite them claiming to be in alignment with them. 

 

8. Last and most importantly!!!  Ask about accreditation but also make sure you are aware of who the founder is and what they have done to support children's mental health globally.  Perhaps the founder is fully involved in the running of the organisation or they take more of a back seat...either way...their vision should be clear. They need to be a voice for children and the training they provide should show this! An accreditation logo isn't always what it seems so be sure to understand how the training is verified and how they are held accountable for the standards they offer. 

 

If you ask these 8 questions, and you are satisfied with the answers then you are one step closer to choosing the right Kids Life Coach Training service provider for you!

 

But...there is one thing that you should never ignore....even if you ask all of these questions and you get all of the answers you want to hear....what does your 'gut feel' and 'intuition' tell you? Listen to your little inner voice...and don't ignore any niggles that come up. Rather do your homework properly and make sure that you know what you are getting into!

 

I am so excited that Kids Life Coaching is gaining traction...it is a dream come true and we have been striving for this since 2003...but more than anything, our team is raising the profile of this industry and holding fellow professionals accountable to high standards.

 

I must warn you...The Kids Life Studio approach doesn't resonate with everybody...but if you want to be a respected professional working towards becoming a world-class Kids Life Coach...perhaps this is a good fit for you after all!

 

If you are ready to get started on your journey and you want to explore our approach, you can start your Foundation of Kids Life Coaching now!  If you want to explore becoming a career Kids Life Coach and earn your Diploma, you’re welcome to see if our approach resonates with you by booking a time to speak to us and test out these 8 questions...but before then, why don't you download our special report on why coaching is a validated approach.

 

Regards with Zeal,

 

Zelna

Kids Life Studio & Kids Life Coach Academy Founder