How old should your child be?

KarateKid · Post by **KarateKid** » Tue Apr 29, 2003 10:43 pm

My son is 3 years old and I want to start teaching him some Katas. Not the self-defense aspect of it all because he might not 'get it'.

I feel that the katas may give him some sense of technique before learning the technique.

Or will this just create bad habits?

What are your suggestions?

f.Channell · Post by **f.Channell** » Wed Apr 30, 2003 2:25 am

I began teaching my kids at 6. I think it really depends on the child but I feel 3 is young. They can however watch you and mimic you which may be a good start.
It also helps to get them out of the house and into a Dojo or something which is a special place where you do this.
My kids 2.5 years later still train in both Karate and Judo, so I am their sensei in one art, and just a senior student in another.
Hope it works out, it is great that I get to spend this special time with them, and I feel it brings us closer together.
Fred

Bill Glasheen · Post by **Bill Glasheen** » Wed Apr 30, 2003 5:47 pm

I agree that 3 is young (too young) and that it depends.

The "depends" goes into 2 categories: 1) attention span, and 2) desire to learn. If one or the other are deficient, it doesn't matter what the age is.

There are lots of different approaches to teaching kids. I think teaching kata is fine, but you need to have realistic expectations. This is one of those things where "walking through" the form is good enough for the beginning. However just like Michaelangelo said sculpting David amounted to removing the stone that wasn't David, so too must you slowly work with the child to whittle away at the bad form and introduce concepts of posture, movement, centering, and power development. In my view, that is best accomplished through exercises that you may have to choreograph on the spot according to the needs and level of the person or people you are working with. And with kids, you MUST make it fun; otherwise you will lose them fast. In my view, this outside intervention is what best allows you to bring these concepts back into the form.

There are lots of ways to get kids to learn the concepts you want to instill. Some are as simple as playing tag in a confined dojo, and playing "Simon says" games to teach them how to listen and do. Other fun things include teaching them how to roll by having them grab onto an exercise ball, having them punch and kick at "thunder paper" (Deb Downing's label for used X-Ray film), and letting them whack at each other with noodle sticks.

One can bring very young kids into a mainstream dojo, but I don't yet see evidence that this leads to long term retention. IMO, the best method for the very young is to have classes (and experienced instructors) that are taylored to their specific learning needs and styles.

- Bill

KerryM · Post by **KerryM** » Wed Apr 30, 2003 5:59 pm

We have a 3.5 yr old- we teach him some things- yet since we are always practicing at home and playing around he picks up quite a lot. Too much lol- instead of a "no-mama" I get a little fist (just held up) with a smile. It's cute- though I will say he hasn't "used" the fist. In a Uechi household it's hard not to have your kids pick things up. I think it's important that if you practice at home- or your kids come with you to class- (for lack of a babysitter) and they do pick things up- that it should be balanced with the "defense only" as best you can. He (my son) has a pretty good circle block already lol. But we are watching carefully "how" he uses what he picks up. I agree that 3 is too young to actually participate in a class.

On another note- my husband starting teaching his son (my step) at 2 yrs. (talk about young) BUT- he is now ready to test for black at 16. He is well adjusted- class pres 2nd yr in a row- straight A student- and extrtemely talented within the style.

Kerry-

Chris McCracken · Post by **Chris McCracken** » Wed Apr 30, 2003 11:27 pm

My son is 4 going on 5 and is beginning to learn kata. However, he has been doing gymnastic work since 2.5 and has developed the interest from watching myself and his "uncles" practice.

Our neighbour's son is 6 going on 7 and is nowhere near ready to learn.

Bill Glasheen · Post by **Bill Glasheen** » Thu May 01, 2003 2:34 pm

Touche! I often tell people gymnastics is a great prequel to little kids entering martial arts. I have my 4-year-old in one of these kiddie exercise programs, and I can see the development.

- Bill

D.A. Downing · Post by **D.A. Downing** » Wed May 07, 2003 2:48 pm

Oh my goodness, I cannot think of a more charming age to introduce a child to the martial arts. I have 25 children ages 3-4 in my children's program. They are so doggone cute you would not believe it! But you must keep in mind that younguns this age have teensy tiny short little spans of attention. You have to constantly shift gears to engage them.

They love their little karate uniforms (and so do the parents!) As soon as they put them on they are no longer ordinary children - they are karate kids! It is also important to instill a sense of calm into their training. Remember Mr. Rogers? If you stir them up in the beginning, you will not get them to focus when you need them too.

At this age you create "a vision or image" of what a karate kid is. While we don't work on kata at this age, they learn basic Japanese very quickly and can manage to do high, middle and low blocks, punches and kicks. But of course this is always served up alongside healthy doses of the "karate promise" (I promise never to punch or kick my friends or family) and other life lessons such as what to do if someone calls you names and how to take a "cool down." Good luck and if you have any questions or concerns don't hesitate to write me at Debpetstr@aol.com.

Joe Graziano · Post by **Joe Graziano** » Thu May 08, 2003 5:01 am

I suggest you "grab hold" of your own training for 10 years, then teach your son.

D.A. Downing · Post by **D.A. Downing** » Thu May 08, 2003 11:00 am

Why? Why would a parent have to "grab hold" of his own training for 10-years before teaching a 3-year old, a THREE YEAR OLD, what basically amounts to basic morals, values and a healthy start on physical exercise?

MingYue · Post by **MingYue** » Fri May 09, 2003 1:41 am

3 is a good age to start--- but make it like play-- you know kids--they love to play and will do anything if it's play.

just short sessions--even 10 minutes session 2 times in one day
so it is short and fun. when the kid know it's Kata time--he'll think of good thought and an fun time.

when he is older and is showing real interest then you can make training more serious

Joe Graziano · Post by **Joe Graziano** » Fri May 09, 2003 4:47 am

The gentleman requested suggestions. I gave him mine, straight up. Pursuing your own training for 10 years puts you in a better position to teach others. Also, do the math! In 10 years, the kid's 13. You'd no longer be babysitting, but instead teaching a young man karate!

KarateKid · Post by **KarateKid** » Tue May 13, 2003 6:32 pm

I just do a few bits and pieces of my kata... just the kata... and he mimics it in his own way. Its really cute and he's very into it.

"Can you show me karate?"

I started to say Karate is not fighting. When he sees the punch action he immediately knows what it is... we are into HOCKEY so that's where he learned fighting - CRAZY HUH?

Of course those guys that fight in hockey are NAUGHTY... So Karate is 'excercise' with punching motions.

My test is if he can stand with one foot up and balance, I'll start teaching him. And he can - since the age of two.

Post by **gmattson** » Tue May 13, 2003 9:56 pm

Lets face it... a 3 year old may like the idea that he/she is "doing" karate and if the word helps motivate the kid to exercise and be well behaved, then go for it.

We simply have to define the word "karate" as it applies to children versus adults.

Joe Graziano · Post by **Joe Graziano** » Fri May 16, 2003 1:21 am

Succinctness can be interpreted as being harsh and/or closed minded. I'm neither. Karate Kid, you summed up your "teaching" your son as "bits and pieces" and "cute". That is fun interaction between a Dad and his child which I hope you both enjoy. I did the same.

When my kids were little they wandered into the "dojo" (which they thought every house had) and observed their father "doing karate" (which they thought every Dad did), and it was very natural for them to mimic in passing some of the movements while they were playing with their toys.

I remember those days with fondness. Fun stuff and part of the joys of being a Dad!

How old should your child be?

How old should your child be?

Children this age are a natural!

What is the real point here?