Hello Mommies.
I would like to get my children involved in some kind of toddler Martial Arts, Karate or Jujitsu classes. I would love to have them both in the same class, preferably Saturday classes (due to work M-F, though I'm sure many Moms handle this perfectly), ages are 3 yr. old boy and 4 1/2 yr. old girl. Is there any place that you can recommend in S. Pasadena, Alhambra, El Sereno or maybe San Gabriel? I'm looking on line but, not having any luck plus word of mouth goes a really long way with me.
Please let me know if you can help.
Thank you, M.
Tae Kwon Do would be the best choice for younger children. I'm a black belt and have done several different martial art forms. I have never heard of the child starting before the age of 5 though. You will probably have to start calling around to even see if any schools offer classes for their age group.
**EDIT: they will often let you try out a class, for free. You have to visit the schools and talk to the instructors. See what they ages are, for signing up etc.
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Karate.
Jiu Jitsu, commonly starts kids at older ages.
Karate, younger.
My Daughter takes Karate and loves it very much. She is 8 and started when she was about 7.
At her Dojo, they start kids at 5 years old.
Due to developmental ability per attention span and ability to follow directions, and physical motor-skills coordination, and being potty-trained- per the age.
Each school, has set ages, they start kids at.
So you have to consider that.
A real Dojo/school, will not start kids real young. It is also their physiological development. As our Sensei said, in real young children, their joints/ligaments etc. are more flexible and not developed yet, so in hyper-flexed moves, they will not feel 'pain' as an adult would. Feeling pain is also a keen head's-up, per safety etc.
Also, some Dojos might have "Toddler" classes... but this is not 'real' traditional martial arts, training/teaching. It is modified, per it being Toddlers. Or they give away belt colors/levels, very easily... not it being based on REAL skill and ability or understanding.
My kids train in Ninjutsu - the art of the ninja, combined with a few other traditional Japanese arts. They will start them at 3 if ready. My daughter started at 4 and will be 7 this summer. Focus on the program and Sensei and not the schedule. We go Wed evening and Sat morning - you get used to it. Be prepared for the long term if they like it - this is not just a "season" thing like organized sports. Visit classes in your area. The instructor to student ratio is VERY important at this age.
My kids started tae Kwon do this year. They have moved up in belt color and it's costing me a small fortune. (didn't realize how much costs was involved as another person commented it's not a seasonal sport). I originally signed them uo wanting them to be physically active and to learn self defense. My daughter is 5 and the instructors initially discouraged it saying she may not be ready and she might have a bad expierence and that memory would stay with her. After weeks of watching her older brother (7yrs old) she begged to join and we did a trial class which she enjoyed. There are a few students in the class who started at 4yrs of age but typically the instructors do not want them to start that early. Very few will continue and most have dropped the class. Every child and instructor is different, have your children observe a few classes, they may find it too intimidating at this age though.
