Looking for good dojo for children

[anneofingleside]

Help, newbie here! I am looking for a good martial arts studio for my six-year-old daughter in the East Bay, California. Not sure what constitutes good martial arts instruction for kids, but instructors have to love kids and be knowledgeable about how to deal with young kids and studio has to be kid-friendly, but at the same time, teach the kids discipline, self-confidence and the art itself. Any suggestions? Specifically, Castro Valley, Hayward, Union City, Pleasanton/Dublin, San Leandro area. There are many listed in our phone book, but, short of visiting each and every one and watching dozens of classes, I don't know which of them are good. Thank you for your help!

[SBN Doug]

That's probably one of the toughest questions. Because unless someone has practiced at one of those schools, there's no "real" way to jusdge that type of thing.

 

Personally, I'm hesitant to teach kids that young. Too often they turn out to be kids that the parents just want a new way of a 1 hour break time. However, for those that truely want to learn, I would say don't take anyone else's advise. Kids classes, as you said, take a special kind of temperment and instruction. I would say visit every one until you see one that looks good. Then, talk to all the parents that are there as well.

 

You can find some topics on kid's classes in Instructor's Central forum. They might give you some ideas of what to look for.

 

Good luck.

[monkeygirl]

Some schools (I know mine does), will not teach regular classes to children until they're 7 or 8 years old, sometimes older. (we take them as young as 3, and I'm sure there are others who do, too) Instead, they teach classes that are a little more like playtime with a martial arts theme, usually 30 mins long. They will probably still learn some punches & kicks, but it's not going to be as intensive as normal training.

 

This is because most kids at that age simply don't have the focus for a 45 min-long class or longer, with lots of complicated techniques and forms.

 

The "playtime" class may seem kind of wimpy when compared to kids/adult classes, but it's really an excellent way to build focus, attention span, self-confidence, memory, balance, and all sorts of things. The kids usually do a lot of physical stuff in class, so they're nice and worn out for their parents

 

Now, I'm speaking of the classes that my particular school teaches, but I know that a lot of schools that have these programs teach them in a similar way.

 

If you call some of the schools listed in the phone book, and ask if they accept 6-year-olds, it will probably narrow your search down some. Some schools teach adults and teenagers only. Whether or not they don't like dealing with kids, or if their style simply doesn't suit children very well, some schools are just like that.

[ninjanurse]

Check out any school affiliated with Ernie Reyes West Coast Martial Arts Association. They have an EXCELLENT childrens program-starting at age 3. There are schools all over the Bay area and if there isn't one around you-they may know an affliliated school that is. Martial arts has something to offer all ages!!!

 

Good luck!

 

[yellowsnow]

Try and go watch as much as you can..I know it is time consuming...but watch, and see which intructors stand out to you...there should be at least one..and then talk to him/her and see what there all about...also, talk to some of the other parents who are they with there children and get there feedback...since they were probably once in your shoes...

 

YS

[SaiFightsMS]

I have taught some 6 year olds. The big things are knowing left from right and attention span. There is a lot of difference between a 6 year old that has had the benefit of first grade and one who has not.

[anneofingleside]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I checked out Ernie Reyes. The website looks great. However, there isn't one in my immediate area. I've already visited two dojos so far. It IS time-consuming and it's hard to be dragging the kids to all these different places.

 

My main aim is to build self-confidence, provide physical activity and encourage discipline in my child. I'm looking for a dojo that will do that and at the same time do it in a fun and developmentally appropriate way for my six-year-old.

 

The hard part about shopping around for a dojo is that you can't really know if this is the dojo for you by just visiting one class. You pretty much have to go to two or three classes or enroll in their introduction classes. Plus, I don't know anything about martial arts. So if anyone has good recommendations--or even suggestions on what to look for in a children's dojo and what to avoid, then perhaps I can weed some out at the outset and narrow down my search. Thank you for all your help!

[Pacificshore]

Hi:

 

Send a PM to Shortstick. He's up in that area and perhaps can guide you in your search. Plus he use to run a school with a kids program and can answer any questions you may have that'll assist you in your search.