4yo...is it too early for Karate class?

treble_clef

WDYT?

cmh06

DD started taking taekwondo this summer and is continuing this fall.  She's 3.5.

n&bcarlson

I think it's similar to ballet.  They will enjoy it and get exercise, and make friends and possibly learn a small amount of technique at age 3 or 4.  But if they don't start until age 6 or 7, they won't be really far behind.  A friend of mine who teaches ballet says that if a kid loves dancing at age 3, sign them up.  But she can take a beginner at age 6 and teach them everything that the kids learned from age 3 to age 5 in about 3 weeks.

penguingrrl

My brother is a karate instructor and they accept kids as young as 2. At that age it's really basic and more about how to behave in class with some fun karate style activities thrown in, the serious learning part starts much older. But he always has awesome stories about the kids that age and he loves teaching that class because it's like a recess/break for him since it's much more playful than older kids.

jen5-03

I used to watch the 3yo class finish up before SS's tae kwon do class started. So freaking adorable! I think there probably were some benefits for some kids - exercise, learning to listen, follow directions, wait your turn... maybe some increase in flexibility because they did a lot of stretching? But not much actual martial arts being retained. Pretty much like DD's ballet class. It's for fun more than anything.

But pics in little karate outfits are ADORABLE.

moroccojade

DD started just after she turned 3.  (It's part of the PE program at her school.)  She was a little skeptical, but after one class with "Mr Sensei" she was in love with it.  I'm really glad she's taking it. 

Mrs Manners

penguingrrl:

My brother is a karate instructor and they accept kids as young as 2. At that age it's really basic and more about how to behave in class with some fun karate style activities thrown in, the serious learning part starts much older. But he always has awesome stories about the kids that age and he loves teaching that class because it's like a recess/break for him since it's much more playful than older kids.

I agree with this completely. Ds takes a gym class and I just look at it as an "organized play" time and don't expect him to become a gymnast. I think it's good for learning to take direction, for encouraging physical activity and creating an opportunity to make friends and learn to support each other. If I change gyms and start going to the crossfit box near me, I will also take him with me there to the kids crossfit class. My current gym (a serious martial arts training gym) won't take kids until age 6 when they can actually learn the skills of the sport instead of just the things I mentioned above.

babyAutumn

DS is 4 yo and loves his tai kwan do classes.  His impulsivity is also improving.

HarrietNJMommy

Around here, there's a minimum age of 4 to participate.

shopgirl78

HarrietNJMommy:

Around here, there's a minimum age of 4 to participate.

Same here.  DS1 starts in October.  His birthday is tomorrow : ) 

treble_clef

Thank you for your replies!  I think we are going to visit some classes.  My friend used to come to our place with her daughter to teach my son and some other kids shaolin kenpo(?), and my son loved it!  I just didn't know if he is ready for a formal class.

Dobie_Mama

My oldest just started Taekwondo last month and loves it. Like the PPs have said, at this age it's pretty much just basic techniques, activity, learning to follow directions, etc. but it is a ton of fun for her. She earned her white belt last night for memorizing their oath and three basic positions, and couldn't be more proud of herself.

Our program also does a thing where the parents develop a goal chart for at home areas (brushing teeth, picking up toys, etc. whatever the parents decide) and they earn stars for their uniform patch when they meet goals over a certain period of time. It's pretty neat. Like a sticker chart for your uniform. lol