I made a post about my four year old starting karate some time ago. Well he had his first lesson yesterday and i just thought i would let you guys know how he got on.

It was very cute but considering he is only small and it was his first time he did very well. We put little sticker stars on the kids leading hands and feet...it was a great idea from my friend and fellow sensei. This way the kids always know which leg or hand to use. Anyway Ethan was very impressed with his stars, as were the other kids.

We also ran through a routine "called grab the rag". We use this method for the very young kids who won't be taking part in kumite at comps. Two kids face each other and have a rag dangling from their belt...they have to try to grab it from each others belt.

Ethan particulary enjoyed this as he got to wear his mums black belt for his turn as he doesn't have a gi or belt yet. He was very proud...and i was too! Now i just need to teach him that when he steps through he needs to bring his back leg forward instead of shuffling on his feet.

Great to hear you are introducing another generation to the martial arts. Hope he enjoys it half as much as you seem to be.

It's really great when your kids take up the art, Shotokan-kez. They're the cutest little warriors in their uniforms, see the martial art as a fun time, and know they're sharing something special with their Dad (or it might be their Mom!).

And kids go crazy for stickers, don't they?

Go Ethan!

That's great, Kez. I hope he really enjoys it, and carries on with you.

Very nice. I hope he hangs in there with it.

Alright! It sounds like he had a great time. I hope he stays with it an you can make it a special time that you and him do together.

Sounds great Kez. Hope he keeps with it and enjoys it.

How cool, a Shotokan family - what I always wanted, but never happened.

I started my girls when they were young, and they trained at the Dojo I was teaching at, then a earthquake happened where we just happened to be on top of the epi-center, and from that day on they were frightened of Karate associating it with earthquakes. Bummer....

As they got older, and now have kids or their own, they ask me, "Dad, how come you never taught us Karate?" I said, "you don't remember the earthquake?" They said, "oh yeah..."

- Killer -

Man, that is a bummer. Did you tell them that its never too late?

They all are grown up now and moved different directions and different lives now. That's the real bummer...

- Killer -