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Kids Learn More Than Self Defense at WCI!Kids have special needs when it comes to martial arts and self defense training. At WCI, our 16+ years of teaching children and helping parents, has taught us that... ... most martial art schools are doing it wrong!
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with the Danger Prevention Tactics DVD Order Yours Now  Kids are Not AdultsNow, this may sound obvious but, to look around at how the average adult interacts with children of different ages, one thing becomes painfully obvious... ... most adults presume, operate, and interact with children as though the child was an adult. This is true in schools, true in most homes, and certainly true in most martial arts schools. The proof is all around us. All you have to do to see it is to look and to know what you're looking for. Kids are treated as though they should never make a mistake, that they should "know better" even when they have never had to deal with the subject in question, and they are expected to make adult decisions about their lives, often by adults who either don't want to or can't do them. When you look at things like brain development, understanding, experience (both personal and world-based), and intellectual knowledge about 'things' - it becomes easy to see that... ... a child cannot be treated or taught the same way that we would expect to be able to teach an adult. Just in the area of development, a child's brain and body goes through many phases in the span of months, rather than years. To effectively teach a child or to help him or her with their development and growth, we must first understand what 'phase' he or she is in, and then... ... meet them at that level while slightly challenging the next. Teaching Kids Doesn't Take Rocket Scientists...But it does require a bit of science. When you look at things like brain development, understanding, experience (both personal and world-based), and intellectual knowledge about 'things' - it becomes easy to see that... ... a child cannot be treated or taught the same way that we would expect to be able to teach an adult. Just in the area of development, a child's brain and body goes through many phases in the span of months, rather than years. To effectively teach a child or to help him or her with their development and growth, we must first understand what 'phase' he or she is in, and then... ... meet them at that level while slightly challenging them to reach for the next. As an example, we can look at the ability to make sound decisions based on "right and wrong." This is ability begins with another called 'discernment.' Disernment is the ability to assess a situation, see or understand the end result or consequences of each option that 'could' be done, and then based on the desired outcome, choose the option that will produce the result AND be seen as 'right' and acceptable. Sounds reasonable... ... for an adult with lots of experience with the situation and therefore, many options to choose from. NOT for a child who is likely experiencing the situation for the first time. Problem? A kid's brain does not even develop (read: build) the discernment area until... ... somewhere between the ages of 18 and 22. In fact, it's one of the last functions to develop. Harping, scolding, threatening, and other such tactics will not make this area grow faster. What will is to expose kids to more and more experiences where they must choose from an increasing number of choices. The Answer: Challenge that area to grow the way it was designed to grow - in time. And, at each individual child's pace and time - not yours. Black Belt Parenting Newsletter
Different Needs - Different ThreatsWhen it comes to martial arts for children and self defense for kids, again we find that the needs and problems to be dealt with are different than those of adults. Depending on the age and size of the child, the program must provide techniques that deal with; ... to name just a few. The program that you choose must be able to help tame the hyper child as well as motivate the "coach-potato." And, one of the greatest thing about the martial arts is... ... it's something that is attractive to the kids who generally don't like, or do well in group sports or activities. But, above all, as far as kids are concerned, at WCI, martial arts is an educational program designed to teach someone how to become a confident, powerful, and productive person - a leader. That's what we do here at Warrior Concepts. We create leaders... ... not just in the martial arts, but at home, in school, and in the community. Because - if there's one thing this world needs is more and better leaders. People who are:
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