Shodan
Master Black Belt
Hello All- I am just starting the process of checking out local studios kids' programs. I have it narrowed down to two studios and was wondering what all of you think are good things to look for in a kids' program? Things to avoid?
My son will turn 3 in Feb. so I don't plan to start him until sometime next year. Eventually, I'd like to teach him Kenpo on my own- but as a base to begin with, I think it'd be more fun for him to be with a group of kids his same age and he might have better focus at this age with someone other than Mom!! Plus, a studio can provide the games and group settings with others that I cannot at home.
The two studios I am looking into are: 1) A studio with a 'Little Dragons' program. They meet one time per week, payment is on a monthly basis and they can make up any missed classes. Classes are 40 minutes long. They don't earn ranks until after age 5- which is fine by me- I am not concerned with ranks right now- just in a program where he can become more confident, gain better coordination, balance, get a good intro. to the martial arts and have fun. They do award patches for things like attendance, learning a certain amount of punches, basics, etc. The class consists of karate basics, games, coordination drills, obstacle courses. This place is a United Kung Fu Karate Association place. The guy on the phone said their main style is "Bok Su"......no idea on spelling there.
The other studio is called 'Eastern Ways' and has a beginner kids class for ages 3-5. Students are paired with a particular instructor for private lessons (to work on whatever the instructor feels the kid needs more focus on) as well as group classes- no extra charge. Classes run all week and it is up to the parent to sit down with the instructor and map out a plan of how many times you want your child to attend. The plan then determines the price. They focus on stranger danger, turn-taking, teamwork and just general situational stuff to avoid.
If I still lived where I used to, I'd have no problems with where to take my son- to my own instructor!! But now that I am in a new location (with no local Kenpo studios that have kids programs) and only make it back to my home school once every few months for private lessons for myself, I am having a hard time figuring out where to take him here!! Am I right in thinking that a beginner's course for kids is pretty much the same anywhere? I mean- there's only so much a kid can physically do/learn at that age so should I be concerned with styles or no??
Thanks for any and all advice!
:asian: :karate:
My son will turn 3 in Feb. so I don't plan to start him until sometime next year. Eventually, I'd like to teach him Kenpo on my own- but as a base to begin with, I think it'd be more fun for him to be with a group of kids his same age and he might have better focus at this age with someone other than Mom!! Plus, a studio can provide the games and group settings with others that I cannot at home.
The two studios I am looking into are: 1) A studio with a 'Little Dragons' program. They meet one time per week, payment is on a monthly basis and they can make up any missed classes. Classes are 40 minutes long. They don't earn ranks until after age 5- which is fine by me- I am not concerned with ranks right now- just in a program where he can become more confident, gain better coordination, balance, get a good intro. to the martial arts and have fun. They do award patches for things like attendance, learning a certain amount of punches, basics, etc. The class consists of karate basics, games, coordination drills, obstacle courses. This place is a United Kung Fu Karate Association place. The guy on the phone said their main style is "Bok Su"......no idea on spelling there.
The other studio is called 'Eastern Ways' and has a beginner kids class for ages 3-5. Students are paired with a particular instructor for private lessons (to work on whatever the instructor feels the kid needs more focus on) as well as group classes- no extra charge. Classes run all week and it is up to the parent to sit down with the instructor and map out a plan of how many times you want your child to attend. The plan then determines the price. They focus on stranger danger, turn-taking, teamwork and just general situational stuff to avoid.
If I still lived where I used to, I'd have no problems with where to take my son- to my own instructor!! But now that I am in a new location (with no local Kenpo studios that have kids programs) and only make it back to my home school once every few months for private lessons for myself, I am having a hard time figuring out where to take him here!! Am I right in thinking that a beginner's course for kids is pretty much the same anywhere? I mean- there's only so much a kid can physically do/learn at that age so should I be concerned with styles or no??
Thanks for any and all advice!
:asian: :karate: