Symposium on Teaching Children
I recently had the pleasure of participating in a mini-symposium on teaching martial arts to kids, organized by Madeline Crouse of Satori Dojo in Pennsylvania. It took place at the annual training camp of Cuong Nhu Martial Arts, IATC 2010, in Raleigh, North Carolina.
One thing I took away from the symposium is that there’s a real hunger among martial arts instructors for knowledge and shared experience on this subject. We barely scratched the surface in two hours. Many subjects came up that will make good blog posts & discussions; I’ll get going on that asap (any suggestions where to start?). It made me feel, even more strongly, that we need more people posting on this blog, more people blogging on their own about teaching kids, and everyone linking to one another so instructors surfing the web can tap into a wide network of high-quality, practical information.
What do you say, folks? Who’s ready to help make it happen? If you want to share quick ideas or an occasional rant, please post on this blog whenever a subject interests you. And feel free to suggest subjects or propose a “guest blog” if you want to write about a special topic. If you have a lot to say and want to write on your own terms — start your own blog (it’s easy), let me know about it, and I’ll link you here.
Explore posts in the same categories: martial arts for kids, Martial arts instructionTags: how to teach kids, karate for kids, martial arts for kids, taekwondo for kids, teaching martial arts, training drills for kids
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The Kids' Karate Workbook 
June 3, 2010 at 5:35 pm
Sensei,
I congratulate you on taking a leadership roll in disseminating quality information to those interested in teaching children.
I would certainly be interested in submitting articles, and I’m considering adding a blog to my list of -really-important-things-that-I-don’t-have-enough-time-for.
In the interim, let me know how I can help.
– Chris Baglieri
June 4, 2010 at 6:47 am
We had a great turnout and a great sharing of ideas. I already integrated some of the new ideas and techniques into my kids class – the kids loved knocking my hand off their heads with a rising block! Using simple and clear instructions and remembering (thanks to Sensei Didi) “its only 1 yellow stripe” ;-). Looking forward to getting all those that attended the symposium to regularly visit the blog and come together as a sounding board and pool of ideas and questions for everyone involved or interested in being involved in teaching kids!
June 4, 2010 at 2:57 pm
I bet the symposium was fantastic. Sorry I missed it. For those of us who missed it, any chance that some of the techniques discussed could be summarized and added to this blog?
Thanks!
June 7, 2010 at 1:20 pm
@Mark: I think Madeline Crouse is going to write up her notes and get them to all participants, & I’d be happy at that time to make them available here. Right now she’s busy finishing up the school year…
June 18, 2010 at 9:09 am
There is so much to learn in this business and I’m really excited to have found a forum with others who share a passion for teaching children martial arts.
July 6, 2010 at 12:30 pm
Thanks for coming by, Matt. I hope you’ll join the discussion on the new post!