FAQs
Is karate safe for children?
It may sound strange, but karate is not even in the top ten dangerous sports for children. Many parents who would hesitiate to sign up their children for karate would be surprised to learn that basketball and bicycling are both several times more likely to send a child athlete to the ER than martial arts. But what most people picture when they think of karate is fighting, so this is a common misunderstanding.
Our karate classes are always well supervised by black belt instructors. We always engage in a proper warm up, and cool down periods within our workouts. We introduce karate techniques slowly and safely. In other words, we take our students safety seriously.
Does karate help children with attention deficit disorder (ADD) and other attention span issues?
Yes! In an age where the average six year old watches 2 hours of TV a day, it is no wonder our children have trouble focusing in school. Combine this with bad nutrition, lack of meaningful social interaction in homes, and you have a recipe for disaster. But karate, by calling a child to focus on certain complex tasks, and bigger over arching goals (such as achieving a yellow belt) has proven to consistenly grow children’s attention spans.
Will karate make my child more agressive?
No, this is almost never true. Though some studies have shown training in Judo (a japanese grappling martial art) to increase aggression, karate most certainly does not.
How do you get the children to not “practice” their karate on their fellow students or siblings?
The Karate Golden Rule. This is the motto that we drill into children early and often. We make it clear to them that there are only two places they can practice their karate, at home (if mom and dad say its okay) and with their karate teacher. We repeat this until they know it by memory, stressing the fact that karate is not for the playground or for friends.
Will my child learn how to defend themselves?
Yes! There is an old saying about a man who talks quietly but carries a big stick. Very often, we see children who were formerly targets of bullies no longer have such problems. Not because they “judo chopped” the bully, but because of the way they carry themselves. Our goal is to make children:
confident in themselves (believe that they are worth standing up for)
certain of their self defense skills
educated in to how to de-escalate tense situations that could lead to violence.
How long does it take for a child to earn a blackbelt?
This varies greatly depending on the student, motivation, training habits, etc. Anywhere from four to seven years is not uncommon.
What gear does my child need?
All students are required to have a white karate uniform, with a First Class Academy karate patch sewed on to it. Additionally, all Karate Kids must purchase sparring gloves, headgear, and a mouthpice. Due to the fact that the majority of our classes are not taught on mats, having this safety gear is essential to us maintaining the excellent safety record of our school.
What is the belt test?
Once a semester, children will have the opprtunity to test for their next rank in karate. There is a fee for the testing proceudre, and belt (should they pass). We work very hard to get all the students ready for testing, but we do not pass everyone. We will inform you if we think your child is not ready to test. That being said, the testing procedure is a great oppurtunity for children be rewarded after months of committed training. One of the reasons I love karate, and the belt system is that it teaches them that good things come with time and effort. It is a great feeling to see a child stand their on graduation day with their new belt, and a radiant smile. Even the youngest of children understands accomplishment.
Do you do summer camps?
Yes! more info to follow later in the year.
What style do you teach?
We teach Wado-Ryu karate. It is a traditional Japanese karate system that resembles the Shotokan style of karate.