Franchise Curriculums

[DancingSteve]

What is everyone's thoughts on these franchise curriculums. I have instructed Shotokan before on my own, I have also formulated my own kid-centered self-defense program based around Shotokan.

I wonder if these franchise programs would teach me any more than I already know about formulating the curriculum and delivering it to the people that I need to.

Or are they mostly teaching you how to market, and advertise your specific curriculum to whom you want to.

Anyone that has bought into these things out there? I'd love some insight.

[jaymac]

I really do not buy into franchise curriculums. I feel that teaching the classes without franchise guidance or influence makes for a better training atmosphere. My instructor can run his school the way he wants and teach how he wants without the permission of anyone else. You should investigate both sides of this though.

[scad]

well, if you are looking for something that you know will work and keeps kids excited and coming back, then a franchise curriculum is great, however thats only icing on the cake, you yourself must make it fun and exciting with lots of great jobs and high fives. but if you want to have curriculum that is more to your fancy, but you aren't sure about the interest level or retention factor in your curriculum, make sure that they have fun. bottom line, you can make them sweat bullets and as long as they have fun, they will be in the next class, thats what these franchise curriculums offer, all the hardwork and effort put into curriculum planning is done for you. so i'm sure that what you buy isn't too differet then what you have thought up.

[Rateh]

I have spent years planning kids curriculums and researching. In all the stuff I know and have created alone, I have found a program that is way better. You don't have to take it as is either, just tweak it till its the way that you want it, no need for permission or any such thing. It's the shuman concepts programs. They have one for 3-4 year olds, 5-6 year olds, 7-8 year olds, and 9-12 year olds. The 3-4 and 5-6 are by far the best. Included in each binder is a LOT of information, such as lots of drills to work with 3-4 year olds and it lists what each drill accomplishes, etc.

Another program that many people use is Lil' Dragons. But IMHO that pales in comparison to the shuman concepts programs. Its not even in the same ballpark as far as I'm concerned. Only 1/3 of the curriculum is focused on martial arts, the rest is stuff like memorizing your phone number. Also they group 4-7 year olds in the same boat. I prefer a young kids program that will give them the attention, discipline, and physical skills they will need to be successful in martial arts and other sports and activities.

[Sensei Rick]

these prorams are costlyand not you. i woudn't recomend

[Philosophical One]

We franchise parts of our curriculum. Some instructors are dead against changes - some are open to it.

All the instructors that have given ours a try has been really happy

[ps1]

I really do not buy into franchise curriculums. I feel that teaching the classes without franchise guidance or influence makes for a better training atmosphere. My instructor can run his school the way he wants and teach how he wants without the permission of anyone else. You should investigate both sides of this though.

I agree with this entirely. With the exceptions of the very basics (Kata A goes with Rank A, Kata B with Rank B and so on). Different people utilize various techniques differently. It's good for a student to get exposed to these differences in order to figure out the best way for them to use the techniques for themselves.

They may be ok for young children, where the main goal would be to learn coordination, dexterity, kinesthetics, and balance. Since physical self defense for these youngsters isn't realistic, I've always concentrated on the basics with them and put together lots of skill challenges for them. Perhaps that's where a franchised curriculum would work. However, it should be good enough that a child would have little trouble adapting to the regular curriculum as they grow older.

[bushido_man96]

Good points, ps1. I think that sometimes, especially within organizations, instructors and students get caught in a "curriculum vacuum," and are so scared to step outside the box for fear of being chastised for changing something that is "traditional."