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Lil’ Dragons - Kid's Karate for ages 4-6
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.
This program includes lessons in safety, awareness, and 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 the age & the mixture of skill levels in the class at any given time, you cannot easily teach
these young students very many things beyond basic/intermediate moves and techniques. Because of this, over time
- they will often become bored with doing the same thing over and over as new students come and go. 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 at least once every 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. This works out very well for them and we have a very high percentage of Lil’ Dragons that become fulltime
students in the Youth Karate class after they are either mature enough or old enough.
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.
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.
This program includes lessons in safety, awareness, and 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 the age & the mixture of skill levels in the class at any given time, you cannot easily teach
these young students very many things beyond basic/intermediate moves and techniques. Because of this, over time
- they will often become bored with doing the same thing over and over as new students come and go. 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 at least once every 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. This works out very well for them and we have a very high percentage of Lil’ Dragons that become fulltime
students in the Youth Karate class after they are either mature enough or old enough.
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.
