Using Your Hobbies to Make More

Got a hobby you’d like to share with kids? Maybe you play an instrument or sport. Or maybe you love to dance or cook. Whatever it is you do in your spare time, you can get paid to share your expertise with kids in your neighborhood.

Parents want their kids to succeed. That's why they take them to art and music lessons, hire sports coaches, and book other private instructors. If you have a talent to share, you can make it work for them—and you!

Put your skills to work as a teacher or a tutor. It's a great way to grow your child care business. You might even discover a lifelong career, too, if you like teaching. And it can't hurt the wallet, either—on average, specialized tutors and private instructors can often make twice as much per hour as babysitters do. So if you want to learn how you can make more, follow these simple steps:

Step 1: Create a Care.com Tutoring and Lessons profile. Be sure to include all of your relevant experience, both with your hobby and with teaching children. Let parents know that you’re the concert mistress of your school orchestra or that you coach the local little league team. Include the number of years you studied ballet or the number of friends who demand seconds at your dinner parties. Including these details in your profile will help parents get to know you and see how passionate you are about your area of expertise.

Step 2: Getting hired. Got an interview set up with an interested parent? Relax. Be yourself. But also be prepared to both answer and ask questions. Have a sample lesson plan prepared so that parents get a sense of your teaching style. Will your lessons take place at your home or at theirs? The batting cages or the backyard? Will your lessons include watching Iron Chef or Swan Lake or will your lessons be more hands-on? Ask both the parent and the kid about the kid’s current skill level and they’re hoping he’ll achieve.

Step 3: Share Your Hobby. Once you’ve been hired, devise a plan. Make a list of all the pearls of wisdom you’ll need to impart in order to get your kid from his current skill level to his desired skill level. Develop lesson plans. Think of exercises your kid can do without you to reinforce your teachings between lessons. Brush up on basic first aid; sports, dancing, and cooking can result in skinned knees, turned ankles, cuts, and burns, so be sure you know what to do in case of an injury. Don’t forget to have fun! This is your chance to introduce the next generation to the hobby you love!

Have a tutoring or teaching story you'd like to share?  Leave a comment below.

Comments

[Brenda]

I take Foamies and use crayon matkers or what ever is age appropiate and draw a design ex. HEART HOUSE CAT OUTLINE then we color paint etc. cut out and make bouquets or what ever for people to see and admire!

[Julie Engelhardt]

This article is so wonderful, and so timely, especially during these difficult economic times. But this is also a win-win situation for the teacher, and the family, because the teacher is able to make a little extra cash, and the family can benefit from some great knowledge, plus save money, because they aren't paying the fees of going to an expensive school or center.
Another tip for parents who have college degrees who haven't worked for some time--look into substitute teaching. That's what I've been doing for the past few months.

Good luck!

[Laura]

Piano lessons are my specialty! I've taught around 6 years.

[Teresa]

Hello, my name is Teresa and I like to teach children how to do arts and crafts, antiquing, and planting flowers and flower arrangment. My favorites are gingerbread houses, Christmas wreaths, and planting rose bushes. Consider me and your chilren and I will have a great time making gifts for others. Thank you!

[beatriz]

I love any kind of sports so I can teach kids, also I'mm native spanish and I can speak fluent english.

I love also dance, many styles salsa, merengue, hip hop, anything!

[Jenny J.]

Setting boundaries with children in a way that truly creates peace in the hearts, lives and homes of families.

Out of 30 years of experience I have developed a simple and effective way for parents and caretakers to get a handle on many problem behaviors...

This "technique" not only works but also creates an atmosphere of security within the children and parenting confidence in the adult-caregivers...and a closer relationship at the same time.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions...

[Tatyana Bandalak]

Hi,my name is Tatyana. I like to knit. I'd like to teach children.

[Kari]

Hi. Thank you for this blog.

One thing that I love doing with kids is encouraging them to dance and sing. Even if they can't sing (like me) it is good to help and praise them in their efforts. When teaching them to dance and sing, you can get them to learn new words, and do their homework. It won't even "feel" like homework and their spelling will be finished within a matter of seconds. Dancing is fun because you can turn it into dance math games.

Going on walks, and making games along the way is another thing I enjoy doing.
One game I found kids still love doing on walks is the game "I spy".

I love reading to children and making it really fun for them with using thinks like socks on my hands, and turning it into a real show.

One thing with children is that it doesn't need to be real fancy for them to have fun!

The last thing is that I can type over 80 wpm, and know a lot about the computer. I love helping children learn the keyboard and how to play games on the computer.

I really think that interaction and teaching them new things helps build a foundation of trust that's really important between the child and parents.

Every child is important, and all need love.

Contact me if you're around my area and need a babysitter. I can work anytime.

Kari

[Maria Garza]

I create preschool arts for children and sometimes we sold them and the money we buy Christmas presents for all, contact me if you want some of these preschool arts crafts, just need glue and be attend as the children have a good time all are precut

[Susan]

Hi everyone!
A few years ago I started learning ASL (American Sign Language) as a hobby. It is so much fun! It has grown into quite a passion and fills most of my spare time. I joined a program called Baby Signs Inc. and have learned so much about how babies can and do communicate with adults before they can actually physically speak. I can show you basic signs to teach your baby in a group setting (workshop) or teach your little one 'signs' when I baby sit! They learn so fast!! (and they look so CUTE when they sign!!) Research has proven this method of communication can provide your baby with an extra boost as far as learning and that it enhances their social skills.

If you provide care for special need babies and youngsters you will be amazed at their ability and desire to learn signs. Early Childhood Educators, child care administrators...anyone interested in getting to know MORE about your little ones than you ever thought possible...contact me! iheart2sign@yahoo.com