Karate Martial
Is Your Little One Ready To Become A Karate Kid?
Beginner level Karate Kids seem to be getting younger and younger nowadays. What is the right age to start the martial arts? Is your little one ready to become a karate kid?
Back when I started practicing martial arts in the early 1980s in England the youngest child my local karate school would take was 8 years old. Consequently I started karate at the age of 8. I was then thrown in with the older kids and the adults and was given the option to “sink or swim”.
As karate has become more popular over the years, kids of a younger age are getting started in the martial arts. There has of course been a strong influence from the Ninja Turtles and the Power Rangers but also with the ever expanding commercial karate schools, specialized programs for the little kids are becoming more and more popular. Programs with names such as Tiny Tigers, Little Ninjas or Little Dragons abound in most martial arts schools. So at what age are kids being accepted into these programs?
It seems that the age of 3 ½ to 4 years old is the youngest age for kids to be accepted into a martial arts program. This basically coincides with the age that a child can begin pre-school and this is no coincidence. So if your child is around 4 years old then he or she will probably be accepted into your local martial arts school. However there are other factors that you should be aware of.
· Is this the first time your child has been involved in a group activity? If so be prepared for some initial nervousness and unwillingness to get out on the floor without you.
· Have you already taken your child to your local martial arts school to watch a class? If not, then do so as this is a great opportunity to pre-frame your child so he or she knows what is expected and what a karate school and karate class looks like.
· Do you have realistic expectations for your child? Karate for a 4-year old should be about coordination, focus and fun. It is not about self-defense or hard core discipline at this age. These aspects will be gradually introduced over time as they get older.
· Can your child stay focused for about a half-hour at a time? Most young kids have very short attention spans and consequently when teaching karate to a 4-year old an instructor needs to use a series of short but focused drills that flow from one to the other. Be sure to find an instructor who uses this type of method so that your child will maintain interest for the whole duration of the class.
·Can your child follow one or two-step instructions? Your child needs to be able to follow basic directions in order to function in the karate class.
If your child does not do this at home then it may be a sign that he or she will also struggle at first in the karate class. On the other hand a karate class may be the ideal place to help your child learn the value of structure and basic discipline.
All of the above points are just some ideas that you should ask yourself when thinking about enrolling your young child in a martial arts class. The bottom line is you probably won’t know all of the answers unless you give it a go but at the very least you should have some ideas of what to expect and how you can help your child make a successful transition into a fun and very valuable activity.
If you want some more tips on how to make a successful start in your karate practice then check out my FREE Report “Karate for Newcomers: How To Find Out Everything You Need to Know to Start Your Karate Practice”. You will find out how to download it at http://www.freekarateinformation.com.
Good luck and best wishes on your journey in karate.
About the Author
Paul A. Walker, is a 4th degree black belt karate instructor with over 25 years of experience in the martial arts. In June 2003 he attained his 4th degree black belt, after studying with the legendary Karate Master, Hirokazu Kanazawa at his Headquarters Dojo in Tokyo for three years. Additional free information on karate for people who are investigating, just beginning, are advanced practitioners, or who are instructors, is available at Paul’s website at
http://www.freekarateinformation.com
“ABDOMINAL EXERCISES” Combat, Karate, Martial Arts
|
|
RARE 3/90 INSIDE KARATE BRUCE LEE JERRY BEASLEY BLACK BELT KUNG FU MARTIAL ARTS $7.99 |
|
|
kids white karate trousers Martial Arts other sports $3.16 |
|
|
kids white karate trousers Martial Arts other sports $3.16 |
|
|
junior Karate Mitts PU Padded Kids Martial arts Kick boxing Sparring Gloves xsm $15.79 |
|
|
5/93 BLACK BELT MAGAZINE JUNE CASTRO WALLY JAY KARATE KUNG FU MARTIAL ARTS $9.99 |
|
|
SHORINJI KEMPO – 1975 Edition / What Is? : Doshin So Kenpo Martial Arts Karate $125.00 |
|
|
Martial Arts Karate Taekwondo Statue Sports Figurine $20.99 |
|
|
10/69 BLACK BELT PAT JOHNSON MITCH BOBROW JOE HAYES KARATE KUNG FU MARTIAL ARTS $12.99 |
|
|
TRAINING DVD FOR KYOKUSHIN KARATE MARTIAL ARTS!!! $9.32 |
|
|
5/09 INSIDE KUNG FU STREET FIGHTER KIRSTIN KREUK BLACK BELT KARATE MARTIAL ARTS $12.99 |
|
|
3/92 BLACK BELT MAGAZINE DAVID CARRADINE BILL WALLACE KARATE KUNG FU MARTIAL ART $9.99 |
|
|
Samurai 10 Rare Karateka Karate / Martial Arts Ceramic Figures Hand Painted $126.41 |
|
|
11/96 INSIDE KUNG FU MAGAZINE IP CHUN DR.MAUNG GYI BLACK BELT KARATE MARTIAL ART $9.99 |
|
|
NEW RED MARTIAL ARTS KARATE SUIT GI UNIFORM 8.5 oz SZ 7 $23.95 |
|
|
NEW BLUE MARTIAL ARTS KARATE SUIT GI UNIFORM 8.5oz SZ 7 $23.95 |
|
|
KARATE FLAG, FREE SHIPPING, MARTIAL ARTS, NEW in Package, Karate, FREE SHIPPING $2.49 |
|
|
FREE SHIPPING, KARATE FLAG, MARTIAL ARTS, Karate, FREE SHIPPING, NEW in Package $2.69 |
|
|
Uniform & Weapons Martial Arts/Karate Rank Belt CertificateTemplate $16.95 |
|
|
Ready Stance Martial Arts/Karate Rank Belt Certificate Template $16.95 |
|
|
Sparring Partners Martial Arts/Karate Rank Belt CertificateTemplate $16.95 |
|
|
Martial arts belts BJJ, Karate Obi Taekwondo Dee WHite Yellow Green Blue Red all $7.27 |
|
|
Martial arts belts BJJ, Karate Obi Taekwondo Dee WHite Yellow Green Blue Red all $7.27 |
|
|
Martial arts belts BJJ, Karate Obi Taekwondo Dee WHite Yellow Green Blue Red all $7.27 |
|
|
Martial arts belts BJJ, Karate Obi Taekwondo Dee WHite Yellow Green Blue Red all $7.27 |
|
|
Martial arts belts BJJ, Karate Obi Taekwondo Dee WHite Yellow Green Blue Red all $7.27 |
|
|
Martial arts belts BJJ, Karate Obi Taekwondo Dee WHite Yellow Green Blue Red all $7.27 |
|
|
Martial arts belts BJJ, Karate Obi Taekwondo Dee WHite Yellow Green Blue Red all $7.27 |
|
|
Martial arts belts BJJ, Karate Obi Taekwondo Dee WHite Yellow Green Blue Red all $7.27 |
|
|
Martial arts belts BJJ, Karate Obi Taekwondo Dee WHite Yellow Green Blue Red all $7.27 |
|
|
Martial arts belts BJJ, Karate Obi Taekwondo Dee WHite Yellow Green Blue Red all $7.27 |
|
|
Martial arts belts BJJ, Karate Obi Taekwondo Dee WHite Yellow Green Blue Red all $7.27 |
|
|
Martial arts belts BJJ, Karate Obi Taekwondo Dee WHite Yellow Green Blue Red all $7.27 |
|
|
Martial arts belts BJJ, Karate Obi Taekwondo Dee WHite Yellow Green Blue Red all $7.27 |
|
|
Martial arts belts BJJ, Karate Obi Taekwondo Dee WHite Yellow Green Blue Red all $7.27 |
|
|
Martial arts belts BJJ, Karate Obi Taekwondo Dee WHite Yellow Green Blue Red all $7.27 |
|
|
Martial arts belts BJJ, Karate Obi Taekwondo Dee WHite Yellow Green Blue Red all $7.27 |
|
|
Martial arts belts BJJ, Karate Obi Taekwondo Dee WHite Yellow Green Blue Red all $7.27 |
|
|
Martial arts belts BJJ, Karate Obi Taekwondo Dee WHite Yellow Green Blue Red all $7.27 |
|
|
Martial arts belts BJJ, Karate Obi Taekwondo Dee WHite Yellow Green Blue Red all $7.27 |
|
|
Martial arts belts BJJ, Karate Obi Taekwondo Dee WHite Yellow Green Blue Red all $7.27 |
|
|
Martial arts belts BJJ, Karate Obi Taekwondo Dee WHite Yellow Green Blue Red all $7.27 |
|
|
Martial arts belts BJJ, Karate Obi Taekwondo Dee WHite Yellow Green Blue Red all $7.27 |
|
|
Martial arts belts BJJ, Karate Obi Taekwondo Dee WHite Yellow Green Blue Red all $7.27 |
|
|
Martial arts belts BJJ, Karate Obi Taekwondo Dee WHite Yellow Green Blue Red all $7.27 |
|
|
Martial arts belts BJJ, Karate Obi Taekwondo Dee WHite Yellow Green Blue Red all $7.27 |
|
|
Martial arts belts BJJ, Karate Obi Taekwondo Dee WHite Yellow Green Blue Red all $7.27 |
|
|
Martial arts belts BJJ, Karate Obi Taekwondo Dee WHite Yellow Green Blue Red all $7.27 |
|
|
Martial arts belts BJJ, Karate Obi Taekwondo Dee WHite Yellow Green Blue Red all $7.27 |
|
|
Martial arts belts BJJ, Karate Obi Taekwondo Dee WHite Yellow Green Blue Red all $7.27 |
|
|
Martial arts belts BJJ, Karate Obi Taekwondo Dee WHite Yellow Green Blue Red all $7.27 |
|
|
Fred & Friends Ninjabread Men Cookie Cutters $5.45 Fred & Friends Ninjabread Men is an innovatively designed cookie cutter set. The 3 different cutters are in classic ninja attack poses. Baked they are extremely funny and lend themselves to imaginative decoration possibilities. There’s even a gingerbread cookie recipe on the back of the box!… |
|
|
Martial Arts Cake Topper $5.75 Create a Karate cake with these cake toppers…. |
|
|
CK Products 3-Inch Karate Guy Chocolate Mold $2.98 CK Products chocolate molds are first quality, plastic molds. They are durable and reusable. not machine washable. Our chocolate molds are suitable for chocolate, soap making, butter molding, ice-cubes, plaster and concrete crafting. These molds are FDA approved… |
|
|
You’re The Best (from The Karate Kid) $0.99 … |
|
|
Korean Martial Arts Terminology Audio CD – Tang Soo Do, Tae Kwon Do, Hapkido, Hwa Rang Do $12.95 Learn all the Korean Martial Arts Terminology you need to know by listening to Grand Master Ho Sik Pak, 8th Degree Black Belt. Grand Master Ho Sik Pak recorded over 380 words covering everything from general terminology to advanced techniques and commands. In our instructional CD each word is pronounced 3 times: first at regular speed, second slowly pronouncing every syllable, and later at full… |
|
|
Sidekicks $14.99 Daydreams turn to reality when Barry’ s fantasy hero comes to his real-life rescue in theis delightful action comedy. Barry (Jonathan Brandis) lives in a world of fantasy, where he imagines himself the rusty sidekick of action superstar Chuck Norris. Together, they engage in martial arts mayhem, vanquishing every foolhardy enemy that dares to take them on. Unfortunately, in the real world, Barry … |
|
|
The Perfect Weapon [VHS] $14.95 Martial arts maven Jeff Speakman plays a drifter who returns to his hometown and finds that his old Kenpo mentor is being hassled by Korean thugs looking to use his store as a front for drug dealing. When the gangsters kill the shopkeeper, Speakman must defy his estranged policeman brother as he delivers his own brand of two-fisted vengeance. Wham! Bam! Speakman! Mariska Hargitay, James Hong, and … |
|
|
When Kenpo Strikes: Advanced Self-Defense, Volume 2 (Starring World Renowned Master Larry Tatum) Master Tatum elaborates on techniques against attackers with weapons such as clubs, knives and guns. The viewer is shown how these weapons can be turned back on the attacker with lightening speed…. |
|
|
Karate – 48W x 35H – Peel and Stick Wall Decal by Wallmonkeys $77.99 WallMonkeys wall graphics are printed on the highest quality re-positionable, self-adhesive fabric paper. Each order is printed in-house and on-demand. WallMonkeys uses premium materials & state-of-the-art production technologies. Our white fabric material is superior to vinyl decals. You can literally see and feel the difference. Our wall graphics apply in minutes and won’t damage your paint or l… |