OUR REWARDS SYSTEM IMPROVES CHILDREN'S SELF-ESTEEM.
The
belt system is the key to building esteem. When kids earn their belts
it gives them a great sense of accomplishment that really improves the
way they feel about themselves.
OUR PROGRAM TEACHES CHILDREN SELF-RESTRAINT.
We
are a trained staff of patient instructors who love to work with
children, but are also very clear about limits. We enforce good rules
of behavior in class, and we expect the same good behavior at home and
in school.
OUR ACTIVITIES CHANNEL CHILDREN'S AGGRESSION
Doctors have prescribed our school because of the positive outlet it gives the kids for all their energy.
OUR PROGRAM TEACHES CHILDREN ESSENTIAL SELF DEFENSE SKILLS.
Our
program teaches practical, proven, self-defense methods. We also teach
the kids that the moves they learn in class will work, so they don't go
home and try them on their family members or neighbors. We weekly hold
10 to 15 minute discussions with the children on such subjects as
truthfulness, drug use, integrity, friendships, respect, positive
attitude, courage, conduct, and manners. We teach them two different
ways of dealing with physical attacks, both for people their own size
and adults. We key on the adult ones for this age group. Physical
Fitness, Coordination, and Balance are also major issues in this class.
Although we teach punches and kicks, the focus is more on the
self-defense aspects of these rather than that of traditional karate.
Kiai
Kiai
(focused yell) is also a major part of this class, and I use several
different exercises devoted almost exclusively to Kiai. These teach the
kids that it is OK to vocalize, and gives them the confidence to speak
or shout out when something is wrong. And we teach them the "when" of
using their voice.
Competition
Competition
is encouraged in the non-fighting areas such as Kata (predetermined
fighting sequences done individually). It is important that they
compete to get over the fear of being in front of people, but I do not
believe in sparring at this age. We do drills in class that simulate
sparring, such as one-step sparring and grab escapes, but no actual
sparring. All of these areas are covered in a fun and outgoing
atmosphere, with lots of energy.
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