Kids in karate

[Bruce]

This is aimed at the 'older' members of the forum with Kids - What age do you think it's correct to introduce your kids to the dojo (assuming that they're interested of course!). My daughter who's 5 going on 15 has already shown a liking for it and can often be found copying me practising at home, not that I'm thinking of taking her until she's at least 7 or 8. What have you other parents done out there? Are you bringing up the future generation of knock down fighters or kata world champions?

[jane]

I think it depends on the child and the instructors. I have two boys, both started at around 8. One has a good concentration span the other not and physically they are completely different. They both need very different types of stimulation to keep them interested and cope with different levels of activity.

If you have an instructor who is good at communicating with the kids and can adapt as required then I think about 7 is good. It is not easy, but they are our legacy, tomorrows black belts, so it is important they get a good start. I have come into kararte very late in life, I would like to see a greater number of teenagers coming through, especially girls. We have few fighters out there compared to men.

If I open a Dojo I would go for the 10 - 14 year olds.

[blackdog]

we have a program called kick start for younger kids.

a couple of the dojos in our branch do them , including Shihan Gary Viccars - 5 year olds training with a seventh dan! - i hope they train long enough to appreciate that!

The kids in that class are from 5-6 to 8-9. Its just fun and getting active, and getting them used to the class / dojo environment. They play a lot of games , learn how to count in japanese, learn front / back / rigt / left / up / down in japanese. They seem to have a lot of fun with the right instructor, but thats the key word, anything eles but fun for a kid of that age is a waste of time and would turn them off.

My kids started a 8 & 9 respectively - my daughter has since stopped training (for a break she says , we'll see) but my son still trains at 13 and talks about working towards his eventual Shodan.

I think as long as it is fun for them, and the dojo is a comfortable place for them, anything from 5 up is ok.

I'm really glad my son is part of the Kyokushin family, he has made good freinds with good people, thats great in itself, it doesnt matter if he is a good fighter or not, he is enjoying it.

[jane]

Variety and fun is a must for kids, especially those under 10.

I also think that the kids should train as part of the adults, even if for 5 minutes at the end of a session, so they know what they are aspiring to. To watch some high grade kata and Kihon is also good.

Child safety and protection is vital, especially as our style is contact based. There are some scarey statistics regarding child abuse out there.

OSU

[yann]

Hi, My son started age six-against my wishes but he was seeing his dad go out each night in his gi etc so i think 7 or 8 is better.
I used to mix 'play' in with karate technique, it worked because a few have made dan grades as adults.
osu yann