QUEENSLAND, Australia March 2014 – Children are like sponges, absorbing everything they see, hear, or observe around them. Whether learning their ABC’s, 1-2-3, or doe-re-mi, kids respond to their environment, and learn mostly by example set by their parents, immediate family, or school environment. But when it comes to taking instruction and classroom-style teaching, how young is too young?
Leading martial arts instructor and the founder of Strathpine martial arts classes for kids, Damien O’Flaherty has one easy piece of advice for parents: “At Factor10™ Martial Arts, we use a very simple guide that works really well. That is, if a child can follow verbal instructions like ‘Michael, can you please come and stand here behind Harry?’ If Michael stands in the line behind Harry and stays there without running or walking away, then it is very likely that Michael is ready to start learning Martial Arts. www.factorten.com.au
“It may be that Michael is three years of age and might even have trouble concentrating for the full 30 minutes of the ‘Little Legends’ class. It may be that he can only really last for 20 minutes before he gets too tired to continue. But that’s okay, because his concentration and stamina will gradually improve to a point when, down the track, he will be able to last the full 30 minutes,” Damien says.
Damien O’Flaherty is the CEO, founder and master instructor at Factor10™ Martial Arts where he teaches self defence classes for kids in Strathpine. A registered primary school teacher, Damien understands how children develop, individually and at their own pace, and doesn’t believe in putting limits on a child because of their age. www.factorten.com.au
“Many martial arts schools and academies refrain from introducing children to their age old moves arguing that children are not mature enough to be able to learn the techniques,” says Damien. “At Factor10™ Martial Arts, we know that with our specifically tailored Strathpine martial arts classes for kids, these techniques can be learned by younger children. In fact, children as young as 4 years of age can learn all the moves of the masters. The only difference is that the pace of delivery needs to be slower. For example, instead of children learning a whole set of self defence moves for their next grading, they can learn just a few of the moves and evolve their techniques with practice and age.
“Imagine all the great learning that will be taking place even though a child can do only part of a class. The sheer volume of knowledge and experiences will be priceless. What a great head start they will have over those whose parents choose to wait for a couple of years before starting their child in Martial Arts.” www.factorten.com.au
Factor10™ Martial Arts offers Strathpine martial arts classes for kids and also has a Brisbane Taekwondo centre where children aged three to six years learn a self-defence set called ‘Basic Releases’ in a ‘Little Legends’ program. This set teaches a child to release their hand from the tight grip of a ‘bad guy’. Factor10™ Martial Arts also offers martial arts programs that develop a unique set of personal characteristics to enhance skills for life and living. www.factorten.com.au
Gloria, a grandmother who has passed on her love for martial arts to her children and grandchildren, says, “My granddaughters are the third generation to learn a martial art. With Factor10™ Martial Arts, we have seen an improvement in confidence, self assurance and concentration in the girls at school. We admire the relationship the young instructors have with their students, they are exceptional role models.”
Learn more about Strathpine self defence classes for kids at www.factorten.com.au.
