I coach a group of teenagers (13-17 years old, equivalent to levels 7-10 in the US), and now some of the girls are telling me I play favorites. They seem to be very upset and keep talking, gossiping and whispering. The two girls who are my "favorites" are on the younger side and have only been in this group for 6 months or so. One of them is very hard working and talented and moving up quickly, the other one is just ordinary gymnast, not super talented but a kind kid who is always cheering on the others, extrovert and likes to joke around and is very open to chat with me about school and anything really.
The two girls who the older girls blame to be my favorites have been under my coaching for a long time, ever since pre-team. I know them very well and I have to admit that I have a special bond with them, but I just think it would be weird if I hadn't, since I've been their coach for so long. The other girls in the group have all been under my coaching for 2-3 years now, but they were already optionals when I started with them.
So my question is, what should I do? I don't think I'm playing favorites, but I understand that the girls can still feel that way. I think I give attention to everyone, but for example this one talented and hardworking kid is always on the go, taking more turns than the others, she doesn't like to sit and chat too much. She gets more done and of course I correct here a lot, because she's doing so much. She's learning new skills almost every week (skills that the older girls have been working for a long time) and I can see that the others might just be a bit jealous. But I understand that it would be like throwing gasoline to fire if I said this to them. So I think I need to think of a different approach.
I hate it that this situation is clearly starting to affect the two "favorites". The others don't really cheer on them that much anymore, and they don't invite them to sleepover and stuff. These two girls have been less happy and cheerful at practice lately.
What should I do?
The two girls who the older girls blame to be my favorites have been under my coaching for a long time, ever since pre-team. I know them very well and I have to admit that I have a special bond with them, but I just think it would be weird if I hadn't, since I've been their coach for so long. The other girls in the group have all been under my coaching for 2-3 years now, but they were already optionals when I started with them.
So my question is, what should I do? I don't think I'm playing favorites, but I understand that the girls can still feel that way. I think I give attention to everyone, but for example this one talented and hardworking kid is always on the go, taking more turns than the others, she doesn't like to sit and chat too much. She gets more done and of course I correct here a lot, because she's doing so much. She's learning new skills almost every week (skills that the older girls have been working for a long time) and I can see that the others might just be a bit jealous. But I understand that it would be like throwing gasoline to fire if I said this to them. So I think I need to think of a different approach.
I hate it that this situation is clearly starting to affect the two "favorites". The others don't really cheer on them that much anymore, and they don't invite them to sleepover and stuff. These two girls have been less happy and cheerful at practice lately.
What should I do?