Children want and need structure. They must not be allowed to come and go as they please in a martial arts class.
I was thinking the other day about some of the “disasters” that have occurred during our kids martial arts classes over the last eighteen years. Luckily I learned from these experiences, but would like to share them with you so you do not make the same mistakes. I asked my friend Didi Goodman, a very knowledgeable instructor, who also specialises in childrens martial arts classes, for some of her ideas as well. Didi and I don’t always agree on some issues so I thought it would be interesting to get her take on the subject. Here are my ideas on how not to run a martial arts class for children.
Kids running around doing what they want
The instructor needs to take control of the class. There have been a few times over the years when I was either very tired or distracted and gave the kids free rein. I realized very quickly that kids want and need structure. A few comments from the parents about the chaos that day were all I needed to get it sorted out.
Kids walking in and out of classes when they want
You cannot let kids come and go as they like. If everyone did it you would have no class! I let the kids join in without penalty if they are late, because it is rarely their fault as they do not drive. However, if they want to leave the class for any reason, they must ask permission. I never refuse to request to go to the toilet. However, if a particular child is constantly asking for a drink break or something, I will often say “No, you must wait until the next class break”.
Parents blabbing away on mobiles during the class
I do not permit this. It is extremely rude, and I will walk up to them while they are talking and stare at them until they get up and take their conversation outside. For the very stupid or careless ones, I will interrupt their conversation with “Can you take your mobile outside?” in a loud voice.
Kids sitting in horse stances throwing straight punches the whole class
Kids need to have a bit of fun. Our classes have been very popular over the years for two reasons: they are fun and affordable. Well, three reasons actually–they learn excellent martial arts skills! We play games, but all the games are designed to build skills like coordination, teamwork, footwork, and especially, concentration. Boring classes are empty classes.
Instructor is late
The first time an instructor is late people start to wonder if they really care about their students. The second time it happens their students start to quit. The third time….well, the instructor needs to find another job, they do not care enough about their career or their students to be a martial arts teacher.
Didi Goodman, who also wrote the book entitled The Kids’ Karate Workbook, made the following additions to this post.
Instructor is late
I do push-ups if I’m late! LOL I know how you feel about push-ups. I think I’ve been late 3 or 4 times in twenty years. Once it was because my neighborhood was on fire. I missed the whole first class and was late to the second.
Instructor sounds like a loud, angry drill sergeant
Nothing wrong with being firm, clear, and demanding. Be as serious as you like. But you don’t need to be frightening. And if the kids think you’re angry with them whenever they make a mistake, your classes aren’t going to thrive. Be ready to laugh; let the kids know you enjoy martial arts, enjoy them and enjoy their efforts. Then they’ll enjoy trying their best for you. Lay that foundation and you can set the bar as high as you like.
Expecting perfection from the children
“We’re not moving on until you all get this exactly right.” The best teachers on earth can’t make their students get everything right at once. Remember, you’re working with beginners and young children. Students need to practice; they must put in their repetitions; they have age-based limitations on how they’ll do. Like you, they’re imperfect! So keep going. The worst mistake I see from new instructors is bringing all the action to a halt while they try to correct one student’s every last flaw. The other kids are dying of boredom and itching to move! Then, when the next count finally comes, the instructor notices Student B needs an overhaul, too… Give a clear correction and move on. Repeat as needed; help and urge as you go; but keep the action going, and move to the next activity on schedule. (See also: “Kids sitting in horse stances throwing straight punches the whole class” – sometimes this is how it came about!)
Parents coaching from the sidelines
In a well-functioning class, the instructor is in charge, and the kids need to focus. “Stage parents” are a damaging distraction – not just for their own kids, but for everyone. Make sure parents in the viewing area understand proper etiquette. If there’s an issue with their child’s behavior or performance in class, help them understand how you are handling it. If necessary, work out ways they can help and support your efforts without being disruptive (i.e., things they can do outside the dojo to support good behavior during class). Worst case: Suggest they take advantage of class time to run errands…
Younger siblings running wild on the sidelines, or running across the class
While we’re on the subject of etiquette for parents, sometimes they need encouragement to stay in charge of the siblings and toddlers who may accompany them to your school. Their noise and actions can be yet another distraction for your class, and when toddlers run onto the floor, it’s a safety hazard as well.
Kids wanting nothing but games
A game now & then, even a warm-up game every class – no problem. Making a game of hard work, or disguising repetition – those are perfectly good teaching techniques. But the highest goal of an instructor is to get the kids to love working out, to love striving for improvement, – to love learning! Classes based solely on games too often breed students who feel entitled to play – and who resist good old-fashioned discipline and work. Everything doesn’t have to be a game. Help the kids discover that martial arts training is fun in and of itself.
Thank you so much Didi for your ideas about How Not to Run a Martial Arts Class for Children. Your experiences parallel mine closely and it is interesting to see your take on it. Instructors, what ideas do you have on this subject?
And let’s not forget…the veritable mine-field that is testing and promotions.
My personal never-to-be-repeated disaster is the time my shipment of yellow belts didn’t arrive in time for graduation day.
Lesson learned! Now I order weeks in advance.
And that isn’t as bad as an in-class injury… After twenty years, you get an impressive list!
Thanks for your comments Chris B. Yes, you are so right about the disasters on grading day. I have also learned a few lessons about ordering belts, etc. before grading. Intensive preparation is the key to successful gradings. It takes work!
Chris B. – so true! Being organized & on top of things for test days is huge. Over the years I’ve had a couple near-disasters (saved by having someone pick up some extra belts or stripes and rush them to the dojo) and one disaster that still makes me cringe all these years later: the time I failed to call up and promote a child who had passed his test. I was trying to call the promotions from memory; he was standing way in the back where I couldn’t see him, and I just didn’t call his name! He didn’t say anything, thought he had failed his test, and went home crying. Thankfully his mom brought him back and we sorted it out. (I did a LOT of push-ups for that one! lol)
The lesson there is: Have a system; prepare in advance, because the test day will be very busy. And above all, have a written list – and use it!
Thanks Didi for your insight, I think we all have grading horror stories. I forgot all the belts once and had to rush back to my house to pick them up while one of my senior instructors took the warm-ups and the first part of the grading. So embarrassed!
I agree with this list in it’s entirety but I do feel that one issue has not been addressed.
I know I have fallen victim to choosing one child in the class as a favourite before and I am now striving to make sure every student is treated equally.
It’s always easy to like one more than the others but the trick is seeing what every child is able to bring to the table.
But that’s just my 2-cents. Very good article Matt and Didi!
Excellent point Grant! We are only human, and you can’t help favouring students that put forth 100% percent and seem so glad to be there, while others, well, they just make your day a bit harder. But yes, you still have to treat them equally. That student who does not really want to be there might some day be a leader in your organization. I have seen it happen. Sound familiar Grant?
Hello, sensei!
Would like to share my thoughts/frustration. 🙂
My son is 8 and he’s now yellow belt/6th kyu in our organization. That is HIGH level to me: when I was a high school kids and started practicing karate – our TEACHER was yellow belt. Now, I understand kids at this age are not to be expected perfection from. But when technique is really sloppy, where do you draw the line?
Thank you!
Using words that young kids understand is also important. I got caught out by asking a 6 year old to do a 90 degree turn. He looked puzzled and thought degrees was something to do with oven temperatures (he liked baking with his mum). I also talked about doing a drill to a 6 year old who was also puzzled as a drill was something his dad used to put up shelves!
Hi Sue! So true about the vocabulary, and I find less talking and more action also works with the kids. They hate inactivity!
I can understand your frustration with a yellow belt teaching the classes. They will form poor habits which will be impossible to correct as they move up through the ranks. I would have thought about changing schools. Thanks for your comment Sasha!
Thanks, everyone, for raising some really important points we didn’t make in the original list. Showing favoritism is a big “don’t” – and as Matt said, it takes some care to give equal treatment when kids are so different from one another, and so different in their efforts in class. Besides the “star” and the “troublemaker” – don’t forget the quiet, nearly invisible child you might lose because you don’t notice them often enough – especially if you have large groups.
I love Sue’s vocabulary examples – hilarious! I often use big words, sometimes with funny results. I can’t seem to change my habit, so instead I make a practice of asking the kids if they know what that word (whatever it is) means, and it becomes part of the lesson. I learned early on that if the kids aren’t following my instructions, it’s often because they misunderstood the words in some very clever way!
Sorry, sensei, I’ve confused you. 🙂 The teacher I mentioned – I hold in high regard and from those years 6th kyu means a LOT to me. But now my son has the same rank – while the technique is far from that level. But at the same time we’re talking about not expecting perfection from kids… So, that’s where I’m frustrated and don’t know where the line should be drawn and the student shouldn’t be graded/promoted until there is serious improvement.
Hi All,
Wow what a great topic!
Sue – I also use “part of the lesson” as a vocabulary exercise – but in a fun way having the students remember or guess (like a game).
The most important thing IMO is helping kids with positive criticism not negative. Encouragement instead of discouraging them. This helps boost their confidence and helps them succeed instead of setting them up for failure.
Giving the class your full attention is extremely important too – Good point Sensei Matt. I have seen in a few schools the Head sensei bow the class in then assign tasks then go eat, practice their own stuff or just not get involved AT ALL in their own classes. Parents mostly stay at that dojo because they like or agree with the head sensei, how he goes about teaching, the results they see in their kids and the general vibe in the Dojo. If the head sensei is not as solid as a rock that makes people uneasy and takes away that “structure” so to speak – in the end, you will lose students AND credibility.
Value and content – It is important that Students and Guardians feel like they are getting value, not just from a monetary point of view but in the content. People are savvy and do want value for their money but if the content is poor and nothing special – what is the point of staying even with good volume of product – quality wins everyday of the week. The students who are there for the quality – THEY are the ones you want, with the right attitude and will be the most loyal students you will ever have.
Like with most things, even if the main instructor is the most knowledgable instructor in the WORLD.. If there is nothing engaging or no personality to relate to … it won’t matter, especially with children. Sometimes it’s not the message, it’s the messenger 🙂
Hi Zoltan! Glad you enjoyed the topic, it has been one of our most popular thanks to your input and the feedback from others above. Thanks Didi!
So true about maintaining a positive attitude and the personality and personal involvement of the instructor is key. Children feed off our enthusiasm or lack thereof. Perception of value is the name of the game in any business, but especially when dealing with kids, as all parents want the best for their children.
Thanks for your insights Zoltan.