Teaching kids is tough~!
Young kids under age 10 have a very short attention span.. don't overload their brains with a deluge of Information.. use the K.I.S.S. Formula.. add some games into the curriculum. Kenpo Dodge ball, padded stick fighting, grappling, (every schoolyard tussle I've seen .. the kids are usually scrambling together on the ground) (we teach Samurai Jiu-jitsu also).
Teach basics to very young kids. as in the 1st yellow belt saying.. Distance is your best friend.. doesn't just pertain to taking a step back or forward or sideways.. it's Getting away from the attacker..Kia'ing (scare your attacker, Get attention to yourself for help) etc.
We have a bunch of 'pool noodles' we let the kids whack at each other.. having to defend against them using blocks and they love it.
Making the warmups fun, animal races across the floor, wheelbarrow races, (one kid holds the legs of the other.. ensuring team work, circuit training, one area is bag work, one kicking, another holding legs up 6" off the ground..and so on.
Each child is an individual and being able to relate to their emotional makeup is a challenge to an instructor, not everyone is meant to be a Teacher.. so make sure whomever is teaching kids is not just reciting information, or demonstrating.. Make sure they are reaching the child, interacting with them, and teaching them.
As kids start maturing anywhere from age 9 up.. they are going to be even more demanding. Those raging hormones that cause parents to tear their hair out will affect everyone around them. Their bodies are growing fast, both sexes will be moodier than normal, a young boy going through his growth spurt who could move like lightning a month before may suddenly be a gawky mechanical creature you just want to strangle.. etc.. change is inevitable, patience is the key.
I think from personal experience, that most kids under age 10 are not really ready to dedicate themselves to learning Kenpo. We've had our share of kids all raring to go at first ..fizzle out after a couple months, Something else comes along to catch their eye and off they go to T-ball, camp, swimming lessons etc (in summer time). Parent's dish out $$ trying to keep the child occupied in an activity, I blame the parent for allowing the kid to quit without ramifications, they just hand out the money to some other activity for the next go round. It's pretty sad. Or when kids go off on summer vacations and lose their interest while they're away.
Kid's attention spans are vapid, and you may see 1 out of 10 actually want to learn and reach for a goal. So there in lies a few issues to deal with. Creating a program that is fun, yet disciplined and challenging to the age level.
Friday night class at our studio had a couple problems for one student.. He was acting out repeatedly, I finally took him aside (age 13) and asked him what the problem was.. No problem, he didn't want to be there that night, he just wasn't in the 'mood' , he was in tears and couldn't maintain any concentration. I took him aside.. worked on his techniques for a few minutes and then paired him up with another student. gave them each a padded escrima stick, and a shield & Helmet and they stick sparred for the last half of class. He went out of the class happy and promised next week would be better.
If you're going to start kids classes, Research, check out other school's programs, make your curriculum a fun one, have good instructors and prepare to embark on a difficult journey
Good Luck~!
Tess
