Announced at the end of May, A Child’s Perspective of Karate follows the successful launch of the Teach/Learn Blogging Carnival and my article Black Belt Learning Skills 101.
This guest post is written by Sydney-based Sensei Matt Klein, a 5th Dan Kenpo Karate instructor who runs Australia’s Youth Self-Defence Karate school for children. Matt has extensive experience teaching children and is popular because instructors get down to the level of the child during class. I jumped on the chance to invite him to guest post on SuperParents.
His article How to Help Your Child Succeed in the Martial Arts (or any other sport) is about parent support from a child’s perspective. While written for the Karate family, it makes for good reading and applicable to other activities that benefit from parental involvement.
The article has been crafted from the child’s point of view.
For a follow up article by Colin guest posted at Adventures with Kids June 28 2010 see ‘Thoughts on Choosing a Sports Program for Kids.’
How to Help Your Child Succeed in Martial Arts (or any other sport)
Sensei Matt Klein–29 May, 2010
At Karate Class
“Be there whenever you can to watch me. It means so much to me and I will try extra hard when you are there.”
“Be there especially on grading day. Every other parent is cheering for their child, but I am sad because there is no one here to cheer for me.”
“Observe me quietly during my karate class with a smile on your face and always give me positive feedback when we get home, this shows me that you care.”
“It makes me happy that you volunteer when the sensei asks for parent helpers, I love seeing you take part in my class.”
“Please pick me up from practice on time. All of the other kids have gotten their hugs and are gone and I am still here waiting for you. I feel abandoned and will cry.”
“When you blabber loudly on your mobile phone and make the Sensei ask you to take it outside, it really embarrasses me.”
“You told the sensei I am not any good at Karate. I thought he was proud of me. That really hurts.”
At Home
“Don’t push us too hard. Practising five days a week is a bit much for our little bodies and it will soon become a job.”
“Ask us what lessons we learned in karate today. It shows you care.”
“Practice with me at home or at least watch me practice.”
“Please sew up my karate pants so I don’t trip and fall down in front of the whole class.”
“Please don’t compare me to other children. I am not as big, strong, and coordinated as Grant/Julie. It is not my fault.”
“You sometimes get angry when I don’t win the game or match. The sensei says that what counts most is not winning, but having fun and doing your best.”
“Do tell me you are proud of my efforts in karate. I live for it.”
“Let us be kids and have a bit of fun. We only get to do it once.”
Links
- Thoughts on Choosing a Sports Program for Your Child
- Coaching Your Children through Suzuki Violin
- Parents Need to be Reasonable
- Book Review and Preview- the Smart Love Parent
From the Blogs
