karate for kids?

[ninjanurse]

There are upgraded classes like the Leadership program or the Black Belt Club, etc.

This is not necessarily indicative of a McDojo-but if you feel like they are trying to sell you a used car then you may indeed be in one.

The kids move up in belt rank about every 2 months. I think a 10 year old kid could be a black belt easily.

2 months per rank is not enough unless the system has at least 20 belts until Black. A school with 5 year old Black Belts running around should be suspect but there are 10 year olds out there capable of obtaining a Black Belt rank.

They had belt testing last night and every kid passed. Even the ones who laid there like a slug.

What is the purpose of testing then...to collect your money or teach your kid that effort is rewarded?

So, in the Tiny Tigers, there are white belts and green belts and "camo belts??" all learning the same moves for testing.

There should be something new for them to learn at each belt so that they feel like they are progressing. "Putting in your time" is not what I call a quality system.

Are we going to regret it when he's older and really doesn't actually KNOW martial arts?

Yes.

What age will a “good” school even accept a student? Is 5 too young?

5 is a good age to start kids off learning martial skills but is too young to hold any real ranking in a system. A good "tiger program" should build solid basic skills so that when a student has moved through those belts he is ready to start earning ranking in the regular program.

I don't believe in awarding a "Junior" Black Belt to a student either, he/she must earn the rank just as an adult does, take the same test they do, and wear the same rank they do. Black Belts under 16 however should not have voting rights in the dojo not should they have any authority.

Just my thoughts....

[Dobbersky]

98% agree with you there, I have junior Dan grades under 16 but their belts are not pure black, they are the equivalent adult rank of 1s( Kyu where to take and adult black belt they grade for the adult belt at 16.

I don't take anyone under the age of 6 1/2 years old (and that's with an older sibling) as before then is just a cheap babysitting service!!!

[bushido_man96]

One thing the ATA has become good at over the years is marketing their product. Watch out for this. The ATA does some good things, but I think often times the instructors get caught up in "the ATA way" and don't branch from it.

The Tiny Tigers program, if the instructor is good at having the kid's attention, can be a great program. As mentioned before, building discipline, character, etc should be the fore of the program, and the techniques aren't always going to be sharp coming from kids this young. In time, they should develop, and you should see improvement.

The "Karate For Kids" program should focus more on kids age 7-13, I believe. However, things have changed a lot since I was in the ATA, and I'm not sure I'd go back to it. The ATA does run on two month testing cycles, and it is only a 9 belt system. However, I'm not sure if the Tigers do a different system then the regular belts, or not.

With all that said, don't be surprised to see young kids walking around in an ATA school with a black belt on. It happens a lot there. If this gives you a wierd feeling, then you may want to find a different school later on for your child.