I don’t teach kids karate. It’s a statement you and I have heard many times over the course of our martial arts adventure. Frankly, I don’t hold it in high regard.

Understanding the desire not wanting to teach kids is clear in my opinion. The folks that make this type of declaration are coming from a place of honor and responsibility. This stuff is not for kids.

Would you put an eight-year-old behind the steering wheel of a Bugatti? Absolutely not. And when you look at karate and martial arts in that light it makes sense. Putting that eight-year-old behind the wheel of a high-performance sports car is not a responsible act on the part of the teacher.

Whether a driving instructor or a martial arts instructor. Further how on God’s green Earth are they supposed to understand what these kids are involved with?

Frustration Can Be a Result of Teaching Kids Karate

As an instructor trying to communicate the depth of karate, and other martial arts can be unsatisfying. The kids just don’t get it.

Framing Kids Karate

It is all about the framing. Framing is not about introducing new material but reshaping how the already existing material is seen.

If the framing of karate is about hard-core fighting skills for kids that is not going to land. Those developing brains are not ready for that information.

If it is about the other aspects of the art then that frame may well work. It has been my experience that the latter works exceptionally well. Good technique is necessary, no question, but other aspects take the lead.

Podcast on Teaching Kids Karate

The podcast dives deeper into this idea of the framing of the art of karate. How and why a teacher may want to explore these other parts of the martial arts when teaching kids karate.

You can listen to the entire podcast below. Choose to agree, disagree or ponder the ideas presented. You may possibly reframe the notion of, I don’t teach kids karate. Or you may add to your existing ideas on the topic.

Here are a few other podcasts you will find of interest.

You Think Karate Loves YouIain Abernethy – The Road Less TraveledMark Loucks – The Karate Adventurer

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KRIS WILDER

Kris Wilder is a martial artist based in the semi-arid lands of Eastern Washington. He has authored many martial art books, including the classic, The Way of Kata. Making no apologies for his obsession of Football he can be found telling any who will listen about the nuances of the Canadian Football League.