3-5 y/o program...should I?
- Thread starter Fluffy
- Start date
HKphooey
Senior Master
I have seen many schools succeed with this type of program. Many call it Little Dragons and they use a camouflage or special belt. Many combine basic tumbling and martial art skills. I think the key to the success is in properly presenting the the parents. Some parents seem to think there kid will be able to fit Bruce Lee after a few months of training. 
All depends, do you like working with groups of children in that age range? Do the other instructors? You will need a low instructor / helper to student ratio.
I do find it funny that as soon as you mention young kids you automatically have to point out that they would all be white belts though
The organized chaos is certainly not for everyone, and that's fine. But, if it's something you want to do, and feel capable in doing go for it, I think it would be lots of fun. (Oh yeah, make it lots of fun )
I do find it funny that as soon as you mention young kids you automatically have to point out that they would all be white belts though
The organized chaos is certainly not for everyone, and that's fine. But, if it's something you want to do, and feel capable in doing go for it, I think it would be lots of fun. (Oh yeah, make it lots of fun
)
OP
OP
Fluffy
Black Belt
Andrew Green said:All depends, do you like working with groups of children in that age range? Do the other instructors? You will need a low instructor / helper to student ratio.
I do find it funny that as soon as you mention young kids you automatically have to point out that they would all be white belts though
The organized chaos is certainly not for everyone, and that's fine. But, if it's something you want to do, and feel capable in doing go for it, I think it would be lots of fun. (Oh yeah, make it lots of fun
Nope, I'm it. My wife has a full time day job, I was laid off a little over a month ago. I'm thinking of it being a 1pm class. We're just a small club trying to grow at this point looking into at different directions.
I pointed out the white belt because I do not want to get into a debate about young children and rank, not the point of the thread.
I am nervous about it. I did assist a class like this a number of years ago when I was teaching at an ATA school, so I know it is a good overall program. I'm just probing the minds of my fellow martial artists for some tips/tricks and feedback.
I am aware that it is a babysitting position, but, it's only 30 minutes - most parents would probably not leave the class. If I had major problems, they'd be in reach.
green meanie
Master Black Belt
I know it's the "in" thing to do these days but I personally think 3 year olds are a lil young. A 5 - 7 year old program is as young as I'd go.
If it's just you, have you considered a "parent+child" approach?
Fluffy said:As a martial artist I would agree, but this is not TKD. It is kicking (with no real technique) and gym/play time, just organized. And it would be a feeder program for the regular kids (6-12) program.
I seem to be talking myself into this, hu?
Oh no, I'm listening, but then I'm also talking back to the screen saying "that would drive me insane."
Lamont
Fluffy said:As a martial artist I would agree, but this is not TKD. It is kicking (with no real technique) and gym/play time, just organized. And it would be a feeder program for the regular kids (6-12) program.
I seem to be talking myself into this, hu?
From my own experience I would say go for it. Personally, I think a child is ready when they're old enough to take direction. Often, it's not easy to gain their confidence and it wouldn't be for everyone. They're generally wary little buggers, but once you do, they're an absolute blast to teach. You may get some flack by presenting it as a martial arts class, put if you're doing it as a prelude to martial arts and not really considering it a martial arts program, I think your on the right track. Maybe acheivments stars or something in place of belts. For their sake, I think programs like this are excellent.
green meanie
Master Black Belt
Blindside said:Oh no, I'm listening, but then I'm also talking back to the screen saying "that would drive me insane."
Lamont
I second that.
Fluffy said:
Fluffy there is nothing wrong about a kids class it is a great way to help out the community and bring in adults into the class. Helping the community is when they get older you have given them values to follow by and some of the parents will join just because they are there watching. Good luck and let us know.
Terry
A school I know of has a Little Dragons' programme and it's starts as young as 4 yrs old. Personally I think it's a great introductionary way to get interest into MA ... (remember Rick Moranis' kid in "Parenthood"?).
But the question: Do you like being a babysitter? is a good one... most parents may see it as that... even if only for a half hour.
I think it's important however to make sure the widdle ones understand that it's not OK to use what they learn outside the school.... at least not til they're older...
But the question: Do you like being a babysitter? is a good one... most parents may see it as that... even if only for a half hour.
I think it's important however to make sure the widdle ones understand that it's not OK to use what they learn outside the school.... at least not til they're older...
Shodan
Master Black Belt
My son is in a Little Dragon's 3-5 year olds class. The instructor does a great job with him. Unfortunately, one of the reasons we put him in there was to be around other kids his age and so far, he is the only one!! Everyone else has either dropped out or moved up to the 5 year old class.
What seems to work really well with that age is to keep them going (I used to teach pre-K at school). Mix it up a lot and have a lot of ideas on what to do next. Some examples of what they do with my son are......obstacle course (he starts out punching or kicking the bag 3 times, then jumps over about 8 focus mitts that are evenly spaced, then he has to weave in and out of 5 big standing bags, then crawl thru a mat folded into a tunnel and finally step on foot at a time on 10 square focus pads and run back to the beginning). This pattern could be changed often for variety. They have him do strikes on a focus pad, lots of balance work, a game called "Little Ninjas" where they throw various sizes of paper up in the air and he has to try to catch them. He practices crescent kicks by kicking over a large exercise ball one way and then the other. They also roll the big ball to him and he kicks it back. Sometimes they bounce it towards him so he can work on his timing. He just loves it and the instructor keeps it light and fun with enough structure that he knows when he is supposed to stay in line, stay still, etc. He is rewarded after each class with a sticker or piece of candy and the Little Dragon's program has them earn patches for various things. Our son has three so far- basic skills stuff like balance, kicks, etc.
Good luck and please keep us posted on your progress.
What seems to work really well with that age is to keep them going (I used to teach pre-K at school). Mix it up a lot and have a lot of ideas on what to do next. Some examples of what they do with my son are......obstacle course (he starts out punching or kicking the bag 3 times, then jumps over about 8 focus mitts that are evenly spaced, then he has to weave in and out of 5 big standing bags, then crawl thru a mat folded into a tunnel and finally step on foot at a time on 10 square focus pads and run back to the beginning). This pattern could be changed often for variety. They have him do strikes on a focus pad, lots of balance work, a game called "Little Ninjas" where they throw various sizes of paper up in the air and he has to try to catch them. He practices crescent kicks by kicking over a large exercise ball one way and then the other. They also roll the big ball to him and he kicks it back. Sometimes they bounce it towards him so he can work on his timing. He just loves it and the instructor keeps it light and fun with enough structure that he knows when he is supposed to stay in line, stay still, etc. He is rewarded after each class with a sticker or piece of candy and the Little Dragon's program has them earn patches for various things. Our son has three so far- basic skills stuff like balance, kicks, etc.
Good luck and please keep us posted on your progress.
still learning
Senior Master
Hello, There is no harm in trying out and getting your own experience handling 3-5 years old. They should be toilet train first.
At this age (as above mention)...play more games here..punching bags and moving on to next bags and so on..make it a game. Keep it fun. (New things often).
Most will have very short attention span..expect this...lots of patience here...many will lose focus from you....(my wife did baby sitting for 14 years)...I help out alot.
We have classes for 5-7 years old (peewees)...for 45 minutes...not easy sometimes...they like to play and talk alot amoung each other..while the class is on.....just a few of them..and the same ones too.
Each person will go thru their own experience on this one...it's your personality that will make it work? ...or not work? Like working with little ones? ..have the knowledge to deal with them? ....then go for IT!
Remember AT 3 years old...there personality will start to form....BE a good role model for them and for the parents too. ........Aloha
PS: Only by doing it..you will know...GO for it!
At this age (as above mention)...play more games here..punching bags and moving on to next bags and so on..make it a game. Keep it fun. (New things often).
Most will have very short attention span..expect this...lots of patience here...many will lose focus from you....(my wife did baby sitting for 14 years)...I help out alot.
We have classes for 5-7 years old (peewees)...for 45 minutes...not easy sometimes...they like to play and talk alot amoung each other..while the class is on.....just a few of them..and the same ones too.
Each person will go thru their own experience on this one...it's your personality that will make it work? ...or not work? Like working with little ones? ..have the knowledge to deal with them? ....then go for IT!
Remember AT 3 years old...there personality will start to form....BE a good role model for them and for the parents too. ........Aloha
PS: Only by doing it..you will know...GO for it!
liuseongsystem
Yellow Belt
i've done prek, middle school, and commercial schooling.
i love the prek, they are a little wild but mostly are very well behaved. they have short attention spans, and like to tumble more than anything.
mine prek used to be an hour, but you lose fifteen minutes setting up and chasing down escapees.
good stuff.
peace.
i love the prek, they are a little wild but mostly are very well behaved. they have short attention spans, and like to tumble more than anything.
mine prek used to be an hour, but you lose fifteen minutes setting up and chasing down escapees.
good stuff.
peace.
Kwiter
Green Belt
The Dojo my girls attend(they're 5 & 6) has a 3&4 year old class, both that one and the 5&^ yo old class are "little Dragons" I've seen the tail end of the 3&4 year old classes on several occassions, the kids seem attentive to me and I've seen them preform basic Kata with a bit of nudging from the Sensei, I'd say it's doable but may depend on the kids. They seem to keep a 2-3 children to a Sensei ratio, for example when last there , there were 7-8 3&4 year olds and 4 Sensei/Senior students. Same with my girls classes, they usually have 2 Sensei and kids in the "Leadership" program. They do gain Belts tho the belts have White stripes in the center till 13 YO I believe.
This is a Franchise, Amerikick here in Brooklyn.
My friend Sensei Tommy Carano, runs a Dojo named Hoteikan on 70th St and Ft Hamilton Parkway and he has younger students as well, in fact he's got th Little Dragon Gi's too which are really nice with the Dragon on the back of them....wish he wasn't so far from me.
Skennen Peace.
This is a Franchise, Amerikick here in Brooklyn.
My friend Sensei Tommy Carano, runs a Dojo named Hoteikan on 70th St and Ft Hamilton Parkway and he has younger students as well, in fact he's got th Little Dragon Gi's too which are really nice with the Dragon on the back of them....wish he wasn't so far from me.
Skennen Peace.
Similar threads
