Come in and see why...
Our classes for 4 to 6 year olds are the best!
We strive to teach valuable skills and lessons through fun karate games and drills.
Lets face it, at this age, playing is their life, so...
Our classes for 4 to 6 year olds are the best!
We strive to teach valuable skills and lessons through fun karate games and drills.
Lets face it, at this age, playing is their life, so...
| CLICK HERE TO SEE PICTURES OF THE LIL' DRAGON CLASS!! |
What is the Lil Dragons program?
The Lil' Dragon program is an age and ability appropriate, specially designed training program that teaches more
than just martial arts.
It teaches youngsters to be good citizens and prepares them for life, or at least school. This program includes
lessons in safety and life skills as well as physical martial arts skills. These skills help the students become well
rounded by promoting the child's social, emotional, physical, and intellectual growth.
Why is your Lil' Dragon class a seasonal program?
We have learned over time that putting 4-6 year olds in a "year round" program can often times do more damage
than good. Because of their age & the mixture of skill levels in the class, you cannot teach them many things
beyond basic/intermediate moves and techniques. Because of this, over time - they will often become bored with
learning the same thing over and over. This normally happens after a couple months & then mom/dad end up
making them go (because the family is going) and as they grow up - in their minds, karate = punishment. We have
seen this happen to dozens of kids & then when they reach the age that they could enjoy the karate & get the
benefits of it, the only memories they have of it are bad memories of mom/dad making them go. So, they are not
open to the idea of re-doing something that they feel turned out badly for them.
With our approach, they do it Spring and Fall - like other seasonal sports [soccer, football, t-ball], and are ALWAYS
looking forward to it! Between sessions, Mom/Dad get to use that as a reward for having good behavior & acting
like a Martial Artist. "If we do good, we will go again next time." And they want to because with each session they
get a lot of fun, interaction in a group, and a new belt & certificate. This is motivational to them & is the only way to
handle this age group - based on our experience.
After doing our Lil' Dragon program in the Spring and Fall a few times (while growing in maturity and age), we find
that when they are old enough to join the Youth Karate program, they are focused, experienced and excited to finish
earning their Black Belt!!
What separates the Lil Dragons program from traditional
children's martial arts classes?
We approach the physical portion of this class as a martial arts -- focused physical education class. All skills and
promotions are based on participation and course completion. Our primary objective is to get the students involved,
giving 100% effort, having fun and 'playing.' Of course, this Lil' Dragon curriculum is age and ability appropriate so
that their "play" is actually their "work". The primary focus in Lil' Dragon class is to develop fundamental basics,
creating a solid foundation to build upon in the older years. Therefore, we teach very few of the martial arts skills that
you will see in older children's programs and instead focus on the skills they need BEFORE entering the older
classes.
What are the benefits of your program for children and their parents and how is this
program better than a traditional class for children of this age?
The Lil' Dragon program is tailor made for this young age group and will therefore, meet their needs better than a
traditional martial arts class which is targeted for an older group of children.
Lil Dragons will:
These are the skills your pre-schooler, kindergarten or first grader will need to progress in our Youth Karate
Program and at home and at regular school.
Why Lil Dragons as opposed to other sports?
Unlike other sports, martial arts is lifestyle training focused on whole child development - mentally, physically,
socially and emotionally. Although students can compete with their skills, it isn't recommended for this young age
group yet as more focus is placed on doing their personal best and not on being "better" than others.
The Lil' Dragon program is an age and ability appropriate, specially designed training program that teaches more
than just martial arts.
It teaches youngsters to be good citizens and prepares them for life, or at least school. This program includes
lessons in safety and life skills as well as physical martial arts skills. These skills help the students become well
rounded by promoting the child's social, emotional, physical, and intellectual growth.
Why is your Lil' Dragon class a seasonal program?
We have learned over time that putting 4-6 year olds in a "year round" program can often times do more damage
than good. Because of their age & the mixture of skill levels in the class, you cannot teach them many things
beyond basic/intermediate moves and techniques. Because of this, over time - they will often become bored with
learning the same thing over and over. This normally happens after a couple months & then mom/dad end up
making them go (because the family is going) and as they grow up - in their minds, karate = punishment. We have
seen this happen to dozens of kids & then when they reach the age that they could enjoy the karate & get the
benefits of it, the only memories they have of it are bad memories of mom/dad making them go. So, they are not
open to the idea of re-doing something that they feel turned out badly for them.
With our approach, they do it Spring and Fall - like other seasonal sports [soccer, football, t-ball], and are ALWAYS
looking forward to it! Between sessions, Mom/Dad get to use that as a reward for having good behavior & acting
like a Martial Artist. "If we do good, we will go again next time." And they want to because with each session they
get a lot of fun, interaction in a group, and a new belt & certificate. This is motivational to them & is the only way to
handle this age group - based on our experience.
After doing our Lil' Dragon program in the Spring and Fall a few times (while growing in maturity and age), we find
that when they are old enough to join the Youth Karate program, they are focused, experienced and excited to finish
earning their Black Belt!!
What separates the Lil Dragons program from traditional
children's martial arts classes?
We approach the physical portion of this class as a martial arts -- focused physical education class. All skills and
promotions are based on participation and course completion. Our primary objective is to get the students involved,
giving 100% effort, having fun and 'playing.' Of course, this Lil' Dragon curriculum is age and ability appropriate so
that their "play" is actually their "work". The primary focus in Lil' Dragon class is to develop fundamental basics,
creating a solid foundation to build upon in the older years. Therefore, we teach very few of the martial arts skills that
you will see in older children's programs and instead focus on the skills they need BEFORE entering the older
classes.
What are the benefits of your program for children and their parents and how is this
program better than a traditional class for children of this age?
The Lil' Dragon program is tailor made for this young age group and will therefore, meet their needs better than a
traditional martial arts class which is targeted for an older group of children.
Lil Dragons will:
- develop a sense of independence
- learn to share
- take turns
- encourage socialization
- follow directions and problem solve
- understand goal setting
- develop self-esteem
- promote physical strength
- promote coordination and stamina
- build fundamental motor skills
- increase awareness of body in space
- develop speech and language
- develop a love for learning
- demonstrate responsibility
- show self-control
- act respectfully
These are the skills your pre-schooler, kindergarten or first grader will need to progress in our Youth Karate
Program and at home and at regular school.
Why Lil Dragons as opposed to other sports?
Unlike other sports, martial arts is lifestyle training focused on whole child development - mentally, physically,
socially and emotionally. Although students can compete with their skills, it isn't recommended for this young age
group yet as more focus is placed on doing their personal best and not on being "better" than others.
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