Teaching Children Martial Arts
The importance of Teaching Strategies and understanding Learning Styles when teaching Martial Arts to children Shotokan Karate
By
Lester J C Membe
3rd Dan
(4th Dan Grading Thesis)
Introduction
Teaching is a profession that can yield something amazing when the right ideas and beliefs are implemented in the classroom in this case in a dojo.
To teach children, Shotokan Karate has to be understood to ensure that it becomes manageable and effective. Having the knowledge of a subject or being the best in a sport does not automatically entail that that is the complete requirement or criteria to becoming a good teacher. Subject knowledge or being the best in the sport is an added bonus, though subject knowledge is essential.
Types of students
Children
Children have the most energy and enthusiasm for the arts we teach. At the same time they are a huge challenge in teaching the finer points of the techniques in Shotokan Karate. Teaching children takes a very deferent approach than that of teaching older students. Before going any further in this paper “children” are defined as aged between 5 and 12 years old.
During this time children expand their horizons from a family environment to one that incorporates the world around them. Moods change, friends change, and limits are pushed. This is one of the key times for growth.
As a Martial Arts instructor we are helping shape the way student will interact mentally and physically for the rest of their lives.
Teaching Shotokan Karate
Since many martial arts traditions already included references to moral values such as honesty and integrity, Shotokan Karate instructors should be more than willing to emphasize such concepts in the children’s classes. In time, this could help children develop character and learn positive values.
Because of this, learning to enjoy teaching children requires a simple paradigm shift for diehard Shotokan Karate instructors.
By
Lester J C Membe
3rd Dan
(4th Dan Grading Thesis)
Introduction
Teaching is a profession that can yield something amazing when the right ideas and beliefs are implemented in the classroom in this case in a dojo.
To teach children, Shotokan Karate has to be understood to ensure that it becomes manageable and effective. Having the knowledge of a subject or being the best in a sport does not automatically entail that that is the complete requirement or criteria to becoming a good teacher. Subject knowledge or being the best in the sport is an added bonus, though subject knowledge is essential.
Types of students
Children
Children have the most energy and enthusiasm for the arts we teach. At the same time they are a huge challenge in teaching the finer points of the techniques in Shotokan Karate. Teaching children takes a very deferent approach than that of teaching older students. Before going any further in this paper “children” are defined as aged between 5 and 12 years old.
During this time children expand their horizons from a family environment to one that incorporates the world around them. Moods change, friends change, and limits are pushed. This is one of the key times for growth.
As a Martial Arts instructor we are helping shape the way student will interact mentally and physically for the rest of their lives.
Teaching Shotokan Karate
Since many martial arts traditions already included references to moral values such as honesty and integrity, Shotokan Karate instructors should be more than willing to emphasize such concepts in the children’s classes. In time, this could help children develop character and learn positive values.
Because of this, learning to enjoy teaching children requires a simple paradigm shift for diehard Shotokan Karate instructors.
References: Sensei J. Richard Kirkham B.Sc -- Martial Arts Ezine ggamartialarts.com Martial Arts Article by Jaimie Lee-Barron (BL3)