Information for Parents
At Three Rock Kenpo we have dedicated classes for our Junior students. These classes are designed so that children can learn Martial Arts in a safe and friendly environment.
One of the great lessons that Martial Arts can teach children is that if they dedicate themselves to something and work hard they will succeed and it is from success that they gain confidence.
Martial Arts can install the confidence in children to feel that they can succeed in anything they do because they have learnt all that is required is effort.
Children who train in Martial Arts tend to be able to perform better at other sports mainly due to their work ethic and their hand–eye co-ordination skills.
At Three Rock Kenpo we understand that children are children and every child is different. In our Junior classes Kenpo Karate is taught very gently. The children are praised and supported every step of the way and none are made feel inadequate. The classes are taught with a fun approach, enjoyment and laughter is what we try to achieve in every junior class.
While the classes are relaxed and the expectations reduced to suit children the classes are taught in a strict and disciplined manner. At no time will the instructors allow the children to take over the class. The children are taught to look after each other while in the class and no messing is allowed.
However, it is a process. For children to learn what is required from them in a Martial Arts class takes time, no child ever starts in a Kenpo Karate school fully versed in the ethics of Martial Arts. Behaviour and ethics in a Martial Arts school has to learnt along with everything else. Over the years we have seen some of the most disruptive and boisterous children become the most respectful and some of the most quite and reserved children become the most popular, it all just takes time.
Sending your child to their first Martial Arts club can be an anxious time for any parent, mainly due to the fact that no parent wants their child to be hurt. Parents need to realise that at no time will your child be put in any type of danger. Sparring/fighting is done after many months of training in a controlled environment with protective equipment. Everything possible is done to ensure that your child is protected. However, parents also need to understand that accidents do happen, just like any other sport. If you were sending your child to a football match and they came back with scratched knees would you say that football was too dangerous. Children are far more at risk doing regular sports such as football, basketball, hurley, etc then they are at Kenpo Karate because of the protection they wear and the restrictions put in place by the instructor.
Please read the frequently asked questions below and if you need any further information you can call the numbers listed in Contact Details or send us an e-mail.
What age can they start ?
It is really down to the parent to make this call, a good age to start would be six years old. Normally we would like them to have at least one year in primary school before starting a Kenpo Karate Class. However some children can start earlier, we will not allow our school to turn into a crèche so really young children are not always suitable.
Can I stay and watch?
Yes, parents are encouraged to stay and watch the classes and in the case of the younger children parents are required to stay.
Do I drop them and collect them?
No child is allowed to enter or leave the hall by themselves as the parents have to sign their children in and out of the class each night.
When do I go?
If it is your child's first night you just simply turn up. Check out what the Class Times are and arrive ten minutes early so we can have a talk. It is always better to turn up with the intention of doing a class, rather turning up to take a look. Looking from the side lines just makes it more daunting for the child. Your child can turn up on any day or attend any junior class.
What to Wear
To turn up for the first time just have your child wear a normal Track Suit .
The Uniform for our school is a Black Karate Suit with a Black T-Shirt underneath, however, they are not expected to wear this on their first night. After about four weeks of training they would be expected to start wearing the Karate Suit which our instructor can get for you.
Foot Wear
On your child’s first night have them wear a normal pair of trainers.
Karate is done barefooted once they get a Karate Suit they will be expected to take off the trainers. Again this will be after the first couple of weeks training.
Bowing
Yes, they will be expected to bow. It is a Martial Arts Class after all. Bowing and showing respect to your instructor and fellow students has to be learnt like every other aspect of Martial Arts. However, they are not expected to instinctively know what to do for the first couple of weeks. They will be taught how to do it properly and after that they will be expected to do it.
What will the class be like?
The class will always start with some light warm up and some light stretching exercise. From there we progress to hand and foot exercise with more stretching. Then we normally do basic Kenpo movements combining blocking, kicking and punching. From there we progress to technique and form. Over all the class will incorporate fitness, stretching and Martial Art skill.
Remember you can always call the numbers provided in Contact Details or send us an e-mail if you need any further advice.
