Pre-KarateProgram - Age 5 years
The Pre-Karate program is a great introduction to Karate. Classes are 30 minutes and are comprised of games and exercises that teach balance, coordination, patience, discipline, and confidence. At the fighting Tigers, our Pre-Karate program is second to none. We teach our students using a basic philosophy of positive reinforcement to build Self Esteem, Confidence, Discipline, Positive Attitude and Values. Our unique method of training is fun and is designed to:
- Instill a Positive Attitude
- Build Confidence & Self Esteem
- Teach the Importance of Strong
- Values & Good Character
- Promote the Desire to Learn
- Improve Effort & Motivation
- Improve Concentration
- Teach Self Discipline
- Instill Respect for Themselves & for Others
The Pre-Karate Program is martial arts skills development program that focuses on "8 essential skills":
| Focus | Memory |
| Balance | Coordination |
| Strength | Control |
| Attitude | Awareness |
The children learn martial arts skills in the context of these "8 essential skills". The program goes far beyond mere kicking and punching. Academic achievement, physical conditioning and peer interaction are emphasized as well as life skill development such as dealing with bullies and stranger awareness are taught. There is no ranking in this program. This class has been developed to get them prepared to enter the Tiger cub class where they will attain rank.
"Train the mind as well as the body?"
(reprinted from American Health Magazine)
Many parents are enrolling kids in martial-arts classes hoping they will learn discipline and self-defense and get a healthy workout. But a new study suggests Western methods for teaching martial arts may make kids more aggressive than savvy. Reason: Many courses ignore the ancient philosophy and just teach body moves.
At Texas A&M University, Dr. Michael Trulson divided 34 teens prone to delinquency (as determined by psychological tests) into three groups.
For six months, group A spent one hour, three times a week learning the ancient Korean martial art, Tae Kwon Do. Along with self-defense, it emphasizes setting goals in life, respect for others, honesty, humility, responsibility and honor. Group B spent the time learning a short-cut modern version of Tae Kwon Do (no philosophy), while Group C got no training at all.
Results: No change in Group C, but the kids in the two martial-arts groups responded in radically different ways. Those in Group A, who got the version emphasizing body and mind, got all the benefits: less anxiety, higher self-esteem, improved social skills, stronger values and, best of all, below-average levels of aggression. But kids in Group B (body only) got worse ?and their aggression shot way up.
Advice to parents: If you enroll kids in a martial-arts class, stick to tradition. Training the body without the mind may be a path to trouble.