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Home » Blog » Let Kids Teach You Something Today

Let Kids Teach You Something Today

December 26, 2010 By Sensei Matt Klein

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boxing gloves for kids

Problem: Four boxing gloves, three kids.

Funny how kids are attracted to boxing gloves. We had a big problem. Only two pairs of gloves and three kids, and nobody wants to sit out, because it’s boring. We immediately went to work putting on our thinking caps. Bingo! I put on one pair and the other two kids (my brother Joe and one of my best childhood friends, Mike) put on one glove each. I had to run between them as they tried to hit me, all the while throwing punches in return. We played this game for hours, laughing, pummelling each other, trying to avoid the furniture, and screaming the whole time like wild animals. I think back on these times fondly, even though I think I lost most of the exchanges. My poor parents. Secretly I think they were happy though, because it kept us occupied and out of trouble for a long time.

We figured out how to walk like ducks, mimicking their quacks, and then used it in real life—to make fun of our poor sister, Kim. Looking back on it, we laugh, even Kim.

We spent hours building tracks in the dirt and then flew around them on our sting ray bikes, sliding into the turns, jumping over the humps; inevitably crashing, necessitating a crying session in mom’s arms for pity.

If you watch kids long enough, you’ll see how they use their creativity to solve their biggest problem—how to have fun. When it comes to play, when there is a will, there is a way. We adults can learn a thing or two from them.

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Filed Under: Teaching Martial Arts to Kids

Comments

  1. Shandor Lim says

    December 27, 2010 at 6:36 am

    God,
    grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to
    change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference

    “using no way as a way, using no limitations as a limitation.”

  2. Hear Mum Roar says

    December 28, 2010 at 2:31 pm

    This is so true, isn’t it? I’m amazed everyday by what my kids teach me

  3. Sensei Matt Klein says

    December 28, 2010 at 2:34 pm

    Hello Hear Mum Roar! Yes, there is wisdom in their years, or lack thereof.

  4. Elmer Querubin says

    December 29, 2010 at 2:20 pm

    It so amazing how children can do so much with little and then make it fun. Sometimes, we adults need to take a look at our attitudes and take a few lessons from kids. We don’t need to have everything in order to have fun, it’s learning to have fun with what we have. Great insight, Sensei Matt!

  5. Sensei Matt Klein says

    December 30, 2010 at 7:39 am

    Hi Elmer. Yes, it’s that lack of seriousness that we sometimes need to get back to in our lives. Am re-learning how to draw during the holidays. I am like a kid in a candy store with it, after playing around with Chinese calligraphy a few years back. But I find myself judging my creations, like an adult, where a kid would say, oh well, enough of this, let’s go play! Thanks for visiting us.

  6. Shandor Lim says

    December 30, 2010 at 4:45 pm

    Watch That Candy Sensei It We Bite You in The Rear ! LOL 🙂

  7. Sensei Matt Klein says

    December 30, 2010 at 11:02 pm

    Who is Candy, Shandor and how do I meet her? LOL.

  8. Shandor Lim says

    December 31, 2010 at 6:22 am

    🙂 LOL LOL!

  9. Shandor Lim says

    January 2, 2011 at 7:23 am

    Thought For 2011
    “Only the student speaks about knowing as where a Master does without speaking!”

  10. Sensei Matt Klein says

    January 2, 2011 at 9:09 am

    Very true Shandor. Thanks for your insights.

  11. Shandor Lim says

    January 2, 2011 at 11:55 am

    And wait there is more:
    “Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power.

  12. Dojo says

    January 7, 2011 at 12:00 am

    Excellent solution. Instead of having them just sit and wait, there’s always a way to make them work and get involved.

  13. Sensei Matt Klein says

    January 7, 2011 at 10:21 am

    Welcome Dojo, and thanks. Kids hate to wait, especially when other kids are playing and having fun.

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Testimonials

Australia's Youth Self Defence Karate
mihir-joshi-kenpo-freestyle-sydneyOver the years, through Karate, I found that my confidence and self-esteem levels had sky rocketed to heights I never thought it would go. I thank Sensei Matt, and all those who have helped me in Karate, for helping me understand such values in a fun and social learning environment.
Mihir Joshi

See our Karate Success Stories Page for Mihir's story.
09/01/2014
Australia's Youth Self Defence Karate
mihir-joshi-kenpo-freestyle-sydneyOver the years, through Karate, I found that my confidence and self-esteem levels had sky rocketed to heights I never thought it would go. I thank Sensei Matt, and all those who have helped me in Karate, for helping me understand such values in a fun and social learning environment.
Mihir Joshi

See our Karate Success Stories Page for Mihir's story.
09/01/2014
Australia's Youth Self Defence Karate
Friendly yet disciplined approach towards karate at Australia’s Youth has helped enormously. It enabled Mihir to build a sense of belonging and improved his motivation to excel. It’s amazing how learning the Martial Arts helps build confidence and improve overall personality.
Yogendra Joshi, father of Mihir JoshiImage
09/01/2014
Australia's Youth Self Defence Karate
I like Karate because it is really fun and I love going on the weekend to see all my friends and Senseis. Karate makes me feel safe because I don’t worry about bullies at school because I know they can’t really hurt me.Tyvian-Macfarlne-Kenpo-Freestyle-Sydney
Tyvian Macfarlane

See our Karate Success Stories Page for Tyvian's story.
09/08/2014
Australia's Youth Self Defence Karate
The confidence karate has given Tyvian is amazing. He is takes pride in himself and he has matured. The focus, confidence and discipline he has gained through karate has transferred to other areas of his life such as educational tasks, looking after younger children both in and out of his family and demonstrating empathy for others.Robert-Macfarlane
Robert Macfarlane, father of Tyvian Macfarlane
09/08/2014
Australia's Youth Self Defence Karate
I owe my confidence, strength, fitness and leadership skills to Karate. It has taught me to persist with everything and that the only way to improve is to try harder.Adam-Loader-Kenpo-Freestyle-Sydney
Adam Loader

See our Karate Success Stories Page for Adam's story.
09/01/2014
Australia's Youth Self Defence Karate
Look at what you have achieved Matt, we can’t thank you enough for your contribution to shaping these two young men. We are often complimented about the maturity of the boys and we know their Karate has played an important part in developing that maturity. Brings a tear to my eye!
loadersRobert Loader, father of Adam and Jacob Loader
09/01/2014

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