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Our number one rule is "TRY YOUR BEST!"
and our second rule is "DON'T GET HURT!" Make sure
your child knows that they never have to do something if
they are afraid that they will get hurt. Self confidence
and strength will develop over time.
What
is Aikido?
Aikido is a self-defense martial art.
We focus on redirecting the attacker's energy so that we
don't get hurt. We do not go to competitions, and
we do not train to attack others. At Aikido Kids!®
we focus on teaching practical things that the children could
use in real-life situations.
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What
is a "Life Skills School"?
"Life Skills" are the skills that
we need to be successful in life. The ones that we focus
on at Aikido Kids are "Respect", "Focus",
"Patience", "Honesty", "Kindness",
and of course, "Trying Your Best".
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What
can my child expect at his first class?
We begin class with some warm-up exercises
and stretches. Then we practice falling and rolling.
Knowing how to fall down without getting hurt is a
very important part of Aikido, and we always work on that.
Next we work on our Aikido Techniques, first by following
the instructor, and moving rapidly into playing games which
reinforce the skills and techniques. After we play
games, we settle down to play with the Treasure Chest and
Animal Cards, which everyone loves! The last part of
class is always an obstacle course. Throughout the
class we talk about the life skill that we are practicing
that class, and there is always a short safety lesson sometime
during the class. We have lots of fun together and we laugh
a lot!
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How
long does it take to earn a black belt in your program?
Roughly seven to twelve years, depending
on the student's abilities and practice ethics. Aikido is
a complex art, and really developing an understanding of
it is a lot like preparing for college by attending school
from elementary through high school. We understand that most
students are "just trying it out" and that's fine.
Our program is designed to introduce children to the art
of Aikido, not produce an army of tiny "black belts".
A few children discover that they love the art, and they
are the ones who continue on to get their black belt.
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There
is a rule against talking to the children while they are on
the mat. Why?
There are a number of reasons for this rule:
1) Your child is learning to become more
independent, and to trust adults other than yourself. If
you distract him from his teacher, you may undermine his
confidence in his new abilities and his own judgment. It
is time to sit back and let your little hawk fly on his own.
2) At Aikido Kids!®, we teach in a special
way. We frequently overlook mistakes and minor misbehavior
because we’re busy watching for the successes and good
behavior. We use praise to motivate, and the children love
and respond to the positive attention.
3) As your child becomes more independent,
your role changes from “Teacher” to “Cheerleader”.
You are the person your child will naturally turn
to when they have difficulties, and you are the person they
want to share their successes with. If you are constantly
nagging and correcting either during or after class, they
will quickly come to dread your presence in the dojo while
they are training.
When you watch an Aikido Kids!® class,
your job is to watch carefully for THE ONE THING that you
can praise your child for after class, no matter how small
or insignificant. Let them know that you saw them “try
their best” and how proud you are of their progress.
You will see them blossom into fabulous people and terrific
martial artists right before your eyes!
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What
are the rules of the dojo?
For the Students:
- Try your best!
- Don’t get hurt!
- Practice your life skills every day.
For the Parents:
- Do your best to arrive on time for class.
- Make sure that your child’s uniform
is clean.
- Keep your child’s finger and toe
nails trimmed short to prevent injury to themselves and
others.
- Your child will stay healthier if they
wash hands before and after class.
- Please don't talk to your child during
class!
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We
were interested in finding more about your "family
aikido"
classes. Would you be able to get me more information
about those classes?
The "Family Aikido" class
is for those parents who would like to jump on the mat and
learn alongside their children. (That's how I got started...  )
It is not the same as an adult aikido
program because I'm teaching to the children's level rather
than to the parent's level. But, if you're reluctant to join
an adult aikido program, this is a very low-impact, non-threatening
way to get started.
If you ever wanted to transfer over to one of the really
excellent Adult programs in the area, your "rank" in
my program wouldn't really translate, you'd have to start
all over as a beginning student in that program. However,
your knowledge would translate, because I'm teaching Aikido
fundamentals, and you would progress much more rapidly than
a true beginner.
I have one parent who has been a student several years; he's
learned to fall and roll quite well and has progressed up
into the orange belt level along with his son. They have
a great time together, which is really the point.
Another benefit of the Family class is that you learn enough
that you can help your student practice the skills at home,
something that frustrates many of my parents!
There are several classes on my schedule designated "Open
Training", which is when I allow my parents to join
in. Hope this information helps! Please call the office if
you’d like to schedule a trial class for yourself and
your child!
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Do
you conduct classes if it snows?
Aikido Kids!® follows the Lake
Washington School District schedule. If school classes
are cancelled, Aikido Kids!® will not conduct classes
that day. For Saturday classes, please
call (425)284-1513 for instructions.
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