How Parents Can Help

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Yes, they are the ones who are driving the carpools, forking out money for pizza, drinks, snacks, opening closets for major scavenging, waiting while the team cleans up after a practice, postponing dinner because one more prop needed to be finished so it could dry and generally watching from the sidelines while the team gets creative. Parents can be a teams secret weapon, the “wind beneath the wings” of the team and coach, and are a vital part to the Odyssey of the Mind program. As a coach, it is necessary to explain to parents how they can be involved to assist the team without hurting the team. Below is a list of what can and cannot do to help them understand their role.

 

Parents and Outside Assistance

 

It’s important for parents to understand the value in letting teams solve the problem on their own. Offering ideas or providing solutions does not teach the team to be able to do this on their own. Asking facilitating questions does. Parents will take greater joy in watching their son or daughter grow in their problem solving skills rather than providing them the answer. When adults tell the kids the solution, it is sending a subtle message that they cannot figure it out for themselves. Remember, one of the goals of Odyssey of the Mind is to teach kids creativity and problem solving skills. As adults you will be amazed at the end of the season at what the kids will be able to do own their own.

 

WHAT PARENTS CAN DO

WHAT PARENTS CAN’T DO
  • Transport the team to buy things
  • Suggest what to buy
  • Transport the props
  • Repair props if they break for whatever reason
  • Teach the team members a skill such as sewing, woodworking, art, electronics, engineering and simple machine principles, welding, calligraphy
  • Sew anything, paint anything, cut anything, or do anything to contribute to the team’s problem solution.
  • Help provide snacks
  • Put emphasis on score rather than fun.
  • Bring Spontaneous problems and supplies
  • Give the team any ideas for their solution
  • Help get props into the building and into the staging area for the tournament
  • Suggest to the team which skills would result in a better looking or better functioning solution
  • Open attics, closets, basements, recycle bins, for garage sale value materials
  • Suggest what materials to use from the attic, closet, basement or recycle bins
  • Provide lots of encouragement
  • Expect perfection from a solution not done by adults
  • Provide a place to meet and/or store props
  • Analyze why something failed or did not work
  • Get everyone and everything to the tournament
  • Criticize any part of the team’s solution
  • Applaud A LOT and help get props offstage after the performance
  • Suggest to the team which skills to use to solve a problem