Quote Originally Posted by ninjaboy View Post
hey guys,

i'm looking for tips on fun drills/activities/games to complement the regular syllabus to keep kids interested in class.

all advice is welcome.

thanks!

neil
keep kids interested in class

so, like if they are not interested in the class then why force or otherwise coerce them to train martial arts?

there is nothing special about martial arts training. nothing more special that can be gained from training any martial art vs. any other physical endeavor. a focus on anything can yield the same 'benefits' that are touted by martial arts schools. swimming and gymnastics (basic tumbling skills) are far better and more physically rewarding for young children than martial arts as they are less complicated in movement and more immediately rewarding in gains in motor skills, cardo and strength.

the games are not for the kids. they are for the teachers. lol, it's far easier to play a game with a kid then to try and impart real martial skill to them. and, the appropriateness of teaching a kid to fight is subject to question in todays society anyway. (I don't agree with that, btw)

bottom line: if the basics of martial arts are not interesting to a particular kid: THEN THEY ARE NOT INTERESTED IN TRAINING MARTIAL ARTS.

as an instructor, coming up with ways to keep kids interested in 'class' is not for the benefit of the child, by you, the instructor.

again, there is nothing special a child will gain from learning martial arts that they can not gain from some other physical or mental (thinking art here) endeavor.

modern marketing has falsely touted the supposed benefits of martial arts training NOT FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE CHILD but for the school owner.

and, Neil, I do hope you realize I'm not attacking you personally. I think you do and i'm not worried since we have actually met face to face a couple of times.

or anyone else for that matter. but, really, get a grip guys. martial arts ain't magic. if you can't teach the core of it to someone of any age who is truly interested in it, stop with the gimmiks.