Incorporating Progression Frameworks

Incorporating Progression Frameworks

Structured frameworks provide a roadmap for skill development while keeping progression visible and achievable.

Teaching Points:

• Use colour-coded or tiered systems to indicate skill levels.
• Children can track personal progress, building motivation and confidence.
• Frameworks help instructors plan sequences and ensure age-appropriate progression.

If preferred, you can use our Rainbow Progression Model, depending on which classes you are teaching and what content you would like to add into your classes. 

🌈 The Rainbow Progression Model

The Rainbow Model is not a ranking system and does not label children as beginner, intermediate or advanced. It is a development pathway that children work through over time. A child may begin at any colour and progress through all colours and then on to the levels. Use stickers, badges, or visual charts in the studio to celebrate achievement and keep children engaged. Since implementing the Rainbow program in our studio, we have noticed a significant improvement in attention and concentration in classes. 

Progression Standards

It is important to ensure the children are being safe in classes, safety in aerial arts is the most important thing. When students can remain safe and display this to the instructor, they can then progress into more challenging movements. 

Before progression, consider the following. Can the children: 

✔ Land safely
✔ Stop, listen and follow instructions safely
✔ Regulate excitement to ensure safety 

Children progress based on:

• Strength readiness
• Technical consistency
• Emotional regulation
• Listening skills
• Safety awareness

Not age alone.

Progression must never be rushed to satisfy:

• Parent expectations
• Social media trends
• Performance pressure

What Is Not Taught to Children

Children’s bodies are developing and growing, it is important within our class planning we support the child’s development. Due to this, we have a guideline on what shouldn’t be included within children’s classes. 

The following are not included in our kids syllabus and not recommended to teach children:

• Drops (of any apparatus)
• Release moves
• High-impact beats
• Shoulder mounts
• Elbow hangs
• Prolonged dead hangs
• Dynamic power inversions
• One-arm hangs
• Endurance-based repetition training

This protects:

• Growth plates
• Shoulder integrity
• Wrist joints
• Emotional safety
• Instructor liability

Landing & Dismount Standards

All children must be taught:

• Soft knee bend
• Toe-ball-heel landing
• Core engagement
• Controlled descent (no sliding burns)

Every skill taught must include:
“How do we exit safely?”