| I was once asked that, should I begin teaching full time, what would be my rates for the children’s classes. My response came as surprise when I said, “I won’t have any children’s classes. I decided that I would not be taking on any students below the age of fifteen years old.” Now having taught karate for some fifteen-plus years I have had the unique opportunity to associate, teach, and train with a vast spectrum of people from all walks of life; including children. I have always enjoyed working with children and quite honestly believe that if you can get children involved in the martial ways early enough the possibilities are endless. In fact I have already begun teaching my two-year-old daughter. Thinking back to when I first began learning the martial ways I only wish I had started earlier. |  I have already begun teaching my two-year-old daughter. |
Please do not misunderstand my stance with regard to my generalized opinion of the age restriction of my teachings. It has nothing to do with the child’s age parse’. It has everything to do with modern society and the current trend in how we raise our children. Too many times have I have had the same conversation...
Parent: “I’d like for you to teach my son/daughter karate.”
Master: “Why do you want him/her to learn karate?”
Parent: “I want them to learn discipline.”
Master: “I can’t teach your child karate.”
Parent: “Why not?”
Master: “Because discipline starts at home. If the child isn’t disciplined at home how can I be expected to teach the principals of my craft to them 1 - 3 hours per week.”
Parent: “I’d like for you to teach my son/daughter karate.”
Master: “Why do you want him/her to learn karate?”
Parent: “I want them to learn discipline.”
Master: “I can’t teach your child karate.”
Parent: “Why not?”
Master: “Because discipline starts at home. If the child isn’t disciplined at home how can I be expected to teach the principals of my craft to them 1 - 3 hours per week.”
When I was a child, my sister and I rarely stepped out of line in school, public, or at home because we knew that our parents would destroy us. The rules were very clear with what was expected out of us by our parents with home manners, public conduct, school, church, family outings, etc. There were rules in place for just about every facet of our lives and with those rules came consequences for breaking them. Sometimes the consequences were being restricted to our rooms, or having to stand in the corner, having any number of privileges taken away but more often than not we got our tail ends warmed up. Without a solid foundation of discipline instilled at home I would have never had the focus or respect for my elders necessary to properly conduct myself in a martial arts class.
Twenty years ago children went to a martial arts school to learn the martial arts. We children would line up when directed to do so and we would get to our position as fast as our little feet would carry us. We stood at attention and awaited our instructor to issue our task directions. When told to stand at attention or ready position that's exactly what we did. If by chance our attention began to wander and we looked up, down, left or right or even moved we got popped and quickly found our focus again. It wasn't abuse or even painful. It was merely a quick correction reminding us that while we were in the dojo there were certain mandatory standards of excellence that we were required uphold. Unfortunately times have changed. The vast majority of parents in today’s American society no longer instill proper manners or discipline in the home. Children today are permitted to be disrespectful to their parents, siblings and extended family members. Sadly this spills over into their conduct outside of the home in every social gathering they are introduced. I have seen children utter phrases like, “Shut up Mommy, you’re stupid” With no consequences other then a warning. I’ve also witnessed a mother threatening a child with, “One more time and I’ll beat your butt” seven or eight times. My question there is, how many one more times will there be before you light that kid up?
Moreover, the most important reason for my apprehension toward having students under the age of 15 are parent perceptions of what karate is supposed to be in the world today. Too often have I seen a children’s class operated more like a day care than an official martial arts class. Sure everyone is wearing a uniform but more often then not kids only wear part of it. I see little to no actual martial arts instructions. The class activities consist of what seems to me are little more than preschool game activities. Perhaps I am being petty, but my stance is quite clear. I’m not completely opposed to the idea of teaching young children but before I even entertain such a thought I have to have the parents on-board with how their child will be expected to conduct themselves in my class. Furthermore, parents, stop making excuses for your kids. If your child is old enough to go to school then your child is old enough to remember to bring their entire uniform including the belt. It’s their uniform, make them responsible for it. When your child looses focus during class or can’t seem to calm down on their own don’t hide behind the ADD or ADHD or any other disorder we’ve managed to create over the past 30yrs. Instill some manners and discipline at home. If the child needs to take medication then keep them on it. You have to understand that the safety of my students is paramount. Students who will not or cannot focus and pay attention are at risk of injury to themselves or to a classmate. This is after all a combat art that they are there to learn.
Students who will not or cannot focus and pay attention are at risk of injury to themselves or to a classmate.
Over the course of the past 15yrs teaching I have noticed that the line of focus in students is generally between the ages of 13 and 15. By the age of 15 the student is old and mature enough to make the decision of joining and will be more apt to understand the martial arts. Karate is not about creating little ninjas. Unfortunately with everything seen on television the vast majority of parents and children alike believe that what they see on the Power Rangers is martial arts, and that could not be further from the truth. The martial arts, and in this case karate, are about learning to survive a real assault from an aggressor providing you with the opportunity to flee, the development of character, and sharing a bit of yourself with others.
In conclusion, we are professional martial arts instructors. We are not professional babysitters. If you have a child enrolled in a martial arts school of any kind, I encourage you the parent to schedule a sit-down conversation with the instructor so he or she can give you some insight as to what they are all about and you can make it clear what you want your child to get out of training.
RSS Feed