Kids Karate Classes - Teaching Karate to Kids

I have very strong feelings towards this subject, Karate instructors or Martial arts instructors in general have a MASSIVE responsibility upon their shoulders, but some do not take this responsibility anywhere near as seriously as they should.

Karate or martial arts instructors are in a very strong position of influence, the kids look up to their Sensei or teacher, they want to reach the coveted Black Belt and in some cases will do anything the Sensei or instructor says.

When I was competing I saw many Sensei or instructors, from different karate Dojo and martial art schools, some were fantastic role models, but unfortunately there were an awful lot of instructors that made the evil karate instructor from the movie ‘Karate Kid’ look like a saint! Oh, and guess what, their senior students were just the same as them.

I did notice one positive from these sad people, sometimes the parents of the kids that trained with these sad instructors were just like the sad instructors, so I suppose it’s true what they say, ‘like attracts like’, which is good in a way, because one day they may need to be rounded up and shot and it would make the job all the more easier if they were grouped together.

Seriously, I find it very disturbing that there are karate instructors out there imposing their sad and disturbed way of life on small and very easily influenced children. In defence of the parents, we are all taught from an early age to respect authority, so when a parent brings their child to a karate school, they trust and believe the instructor, because the instructor is a black belt and we all know black belt means expert!

I may not be the best Karateka in the world, but I take my teaching responsibility very seriously, I want our karate kids, in and out of the dojo, to ~

• Know "right" from "wrong"
• Develop good self-esteem
• Treat others as they want to be treated.
• Assume responsibility for their actions
• Know that Karate begins and ends with respect
• Behave Responsibly
• Know that time is precious, so make the most of it
• Work cooperatively with others
• Use self-discipline to achieve goals
• Never Quit
• Resist negative peer pressure
• Be a positive influence on everyone they come into contact with

Ossu
Linden
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