What is a "Little Ninja?" 

If you want your child to have fun and play you take him to the park. If you want him to learn discipline and practice his focus and concentration while getting more fit and more confident you enroll him in our  Little Ninja Program .

This program is designed for children, ages 3 through 5. It is a fun and exciting way to introduce them to the basics of martial arts. The Little Ninja Program is separate from the regular children's program. This program will develop a child's social skills, discipline and good behavior. It helps them build strong bodies while developing a child with a positive self esteem and good social skills. It provides true balance and development of mind, body and self. The Little Ninja program provides a year round extra-curricular activity, that the child can depend on for stability throughout his ever changing year. It's weekly classes help prepares the child for school, builds self-confidence, and provides a place for the child to run, play, and grow all while learning the martial arts.

What do they learn ?

Your child will learn: How to take appropriate directions from another adult, how to focus and concentrate while in a small group, how to work with a partner, Concepts such as up/down, over/under, and most importantly, they will learn that Exercise is FUN! They will also learn specific karate techniques such as basic kicks, punches, and how to roll and fall without hurting themselves.

 Each class has a fun dynamically moving warm up. They follow along with the instructor, copying her every movement to do hand techniques and martial arts stances. Blocks and punches are followed with animal techniques to improve gross motor skills. No class would be complete without "muscle building" time to do push ups and sit ups their special way.  Leg stretching always precedes kicking. Every class incorporates "Patterns". Patterns help teach sequencing. Sequencing helps them learn mathematics and reading.

 

Each class is concluded with special time devoted to specific skill building. Each month a Ninja skill is focused for development.

The themes for the skills include: Balance,  Fitness and Coordination, Focus and Memory, Teamwork, Self Control and  Discipline, and Safety and Self Defense.                                       

How do young children learn these things ?

Little Ninja progress is measured by successful demonstration of proficiency with the use of colored stripes. When a child demonstrates a required level of skill an additional piece of colored tape is attached to their belts. This shows them that they are improving their skills and gives them an exciting feeling of real accomplishment. Some of their activities are as follows: Ninja Speed Test - Students move about as fast as they can while music is playing. The instructor calls out "Attention" and they must immediately stand at attention stance. Ninja Rocks - Students carefully step on one foot square foam targets which are spaced apart. Students must concentrate so as not to lose their balance. Ninja Cleanup - Students work together in small groups and see who can put their equipment away in a particular order the fastest.

Who is the instructor? The instructor holds a Masters Degree in Psychological Foundations of Education. She has taught children of all ages for over 30 years. The program is custom designed by her with age appropriate activities.

How much does it cost ?