TAGs on ICE: Teaching new skills to children with special needs and their families. By Libby Colman and Lynn Loar
Do you want to learn to skate and earn points at the same time? If so, tagging is for you.
A tagger is something that makes a short sharp sound. Your coach tags when you get a move right, or get close to it. The tag tells you that you have succeeded and earned a point. It also encourages you to do the move again. After you have earned a few tags and are ready to stop for a second or two, your coach will let you know how many points have been awarded. At the end of your lesson, you can cash in your points for treats or other rewards.
Your coach will tag for every small step you do correctly so that you don’t get frustrated. This will make your lesson fun and easy. If you get confused or don’t know what to do next, don’t worry-your coach will not get angry or yell. Your coach will find another way to teach the skill you got stuck on and make it easier for you. If you are a beginner or are having trouble learning the skill, your coach will tag often. Your coach may tag less often if you are more experienced and/or having an easier time.
In many activities, the coach gives the treat right after each tag. With ice skating, that would be dangerous because people could drop the treats on the ice and skaters could trip and fall. Instead, your coach will give you a label to stick on your jacket and will record points on that label during the lesson. You’ll get a point for each tag-sometimes you’ll get a jackpot (lots of points) when you make a lot of progress all at once. You can trade in your points for something you want when you get off the ice: candy, chips, money (a penny for a point), minutes on the computer, playtime, ice cream, drinks/soda, stickers, games. (Be sure to ask your parents what treats are okay with them.) You can also save your points for next time, and get a bigger treat.
