"Where every child is a winner and every child is special!"

Many children have a genuine interest in karate because of the images they encounter on television, videos and computer games. These images have a huge influence on children but they need not be negative. Kids Karate™ is one way to channel this potential into a positive direction and outcome.

The Kids Karate® program, conceived by our Chief Instructor Gary MacRae, was designed especially for children from about 5 to 12 years of age. The goal being to develop and build respect, discipline, confidence, fellowship, co-ordination, balance, fitness and self defence.

The reason the Kids Karate® program works is because it simply taps into the natural energy that all children have and creatively engrosses them by having lots of fun. The emphasis is on 'having a go' rather than the associated business of success or failure as in most other sports.

The positive approach and modelling of the instructors helps the young children to be more receptive to thoughts and ideas they may have rejected in the past, such as self discipline and appropriate behaviour. These concepts are reinforced by the discipline and behaviour shown by other higher ranked children in the classes.

It is common for parents with children in our classes to report an overall improvement in attitude and behaviour of their children at home.

Professional educators that have observed the Kids Karate® in action have noted the many positive aspects that makes the program unique.

Social skills are refined and developed as children foster friendships across different age groups. A sense of responsibility is achieved when higher ranked children are given leadership roles to teach other lower ranked children new skills.

The manner in which the children are taught the many Kids Karate® moves and techniques also enhances their sequential memory. This can be a real boost for the intellectual development of children.

Here’s what people say about Kids Karate®:

Our Parents

• "…refreshing to see young kids learning self defence, keeping fit and about basic principles that can be applied to their every day lives...you have a group of learners and winners...highly commend your group..."

• "...took a shy and reclusive boy with short term memory problems and made him a confident and successful young man who now volunteers for many different duties and tasks and focuses better with school work...it's great..."

• "...my son has blossomed...taken the time and effort to help strength and stamina...caring in attitude...extremely good with young people..."

• "...delighted...wonderful effect on our child...much more skill coordination, greater concentration span, and learnt respect for other people, teachers and children alike...thank you" "...son and daughter...concentration has improved and both more confident and learnt to get along with others..."

• "...concentration has improved a great deal with other activities and school work...made many friends..."

• "...Kids Karate® teaches them respect, helps concentration and they have a lot of fun which is important..."

Educators

• "...three different Year 10 classes varying in size and gender balance...approach is knowledgeable and professional...manner generated immediate interest and respect..." LK, PE Teacher, Concordia College

• "...highly entertaining, educational and yet professional...activities presented in simple sequence...some 30 students requested series of follow-up classes after school...no hesitation recommending for any school based activity..." BJ, Senior Student Counselor, Glenunga High School

• "...run over 8 weeks with Year 11 students completing their SACE ...made it easy for students to learn the skills...progressed quickly...able to tackle more advanced skills...students were more organized and enthusiastic towards this course due to the standards of behaviour set...no hesitation recommending..." DB, PE Teacher, Blackwood High School

• "...for 80 students from Central Eyre Peninsula...skills in demonstrating and excellent rapport with children impressive...feeling echoed by a number of parents and other teachers...thoroughly recommend..." KR, SAPSASA Coach & Teacher, Upper Sturt Primary School

• "... continual challenge in teaching people with head injury…movement of students into the community clubs. ..students communicate their positive feelings...quick to find and reward with praise...enthusiastic in the challenge of teaching martial arts...extremely motivating...sets high standards...enthuses people..." VB, DipT(Inf); Advcd DipT (Spec Ed); BEd (spec Ed); Med

Other Organizations

"...persons who have severe acquired brain damage with subsequent multiple disabilities...a client attempted to leave her wheelchair for the first time...confined to a wheelchair for 20 years now stands independently...improved concentration, motivation, self awareness, self confidence and socialization...highly recommended..." N J, Coordinator, Community Integration Centre, SA Head Injury Service

"...excellent activity for a mixed ability group...impressed...motivated everyone...enthusiastic efforts by all participants...enjoying the activity...will promote enthusiastically for all young people regardless of their ability...inspirational for them to look beyond their disability and focus on their abilities..." MA, Manager Recreation Dept & LA, Recreation Officer, The Crippled Children's Association

Who can get involved with Kids Karate®?

Boys and girls as young as five; who like to do new and exciting things; who don't like to be afraid and who need to grow up with self-confidence; who deserve more from a sporting program than sitting on a bench.

Why a karate class exclusively for Kids?

Children are able to train with others their own size, age, and maturity. Injury doesn't have to be a necessary part of learning. Specialized programs and activities are available to enhance the Kids Karate® experience. Children can be taught not to be bullies

Why karate for kids?

Self Confidence - It doesn't come naturally for many children, but rather is developed over a period of time. As a child accomplishes new goals, his or her confidence level increases. Children become more self confident in karate because they progress individually at their own pace and are not judged against others.

Better Grades - Being a karate kid also means being a better student. All the children in the Kids Karate® program learn skills, such as following directions, paying attention in class, and participate in class activities that help them to become better students.

Every Child Wins - In karate, every child can be a winner instead of a bench sitter because karate allows children to reach for their own potential rather than directly competing against other children.

Coodination - Karate challenges the entire body, developing coordination, balance, agility and poise, often neglected in many team sports available to children in this age group.

Fun - Karate lessons are a dynamic and challenging approach to the martial arts for children who are athletic, energetic, awkward or shy, bold, nice, or maybe even a little wild once in awhile... karate is probably for a child just like your’s.

Self Defence - Children's self defence takes many forms. Karate teaches children to think instead of panic in potentially serious situations as well as how to react to threats from bullies.