The tiger shulman gave us a free trial class. Tiger shulman is more expensive than a no name karate class but the no name karate classes near us start at 5 years old not 3 years old.


It went very well. There were 7 kids in the class and two instructors. The entire class was basically four year olds.

The karate teacher also teachers 3rd grade during the week and you could tell she was a good teacher. (The kids listened to her and waited their turn)

DS sat on the line and waited his turn (with a few momentary exceptions.) He listened to what the teacher was saying and tried to follow her instructions was going on.

He did all the moves and obstacle courses the kids were doing very well for his first time.

I actually couldn't believe my son was sitting while 6 kids did an activity - just sitting waiting his turn. Of course a new little girl was trying to play with him but I thought he did very well.

I was surprised that afterward ds put on his sock and shoes by himself. He never puts on his socks and shoes by himself. He always wants me to do it.

I guess the most important thing was he enjoyed the class and he clearly was trying to follow the teachers instructions.

Anyway we are going to sign him up for 15 sessions and see how it goes.

What they did:

Little obstacle courses
rolling down a wedge
Going through soft tunnels
Jumping from small height (floor was padded)
Climbing over obstacle.
Kicking and yelling Kia!
Punching and yelling Kia!(Doing two things at once. Makes you focus)
Listening to a story which include hand and feet movements and verbal responses.

By Karen55 on Monday, August 11, 2003 - 07:47 am:

That sounds great, Feona. From what little I know about karate, it teaches them confidence and huge amounts of self control, in addition to self defense, LOL.

I enrolled Jeff in a karate class locally when he was 5, and once we arrived we discovered the class was not given by age groups, but by levels. There were 5 y/olds up to 45 y/olds and that terrified my son. He never would go back.

I hope your son likes this and it's a good experience for him.

By Kaye on Monday, August 11, 2003 - 08:09 am:

We did the same thing karen, a level class and not an age. Although my son loved part of it, it was overwhelming and the expectations of the teacher were a bit much. For example, after the second belt test (belt test were every 6 weeks), you were expection to be in a competetion, had to have sparring gear and all. He was training an olympic team and really weeded people out fast.

By Lauram on Monday, August 11, 2003 - 01:31 pm:

My ds, age 6, who has lots of issues as I've mentioned before, has been taking karate since may at the suggestion of his OT. It has done wonders for him. It is "propriocetive centering." He takes it at a place where they use a mirror for instruction, which according to the OT, is extremely important for him, otherwise he'd be running around and unfocused. We've been very pleased. It's a very intense program- but wonderful for him so far. He will be testing for his yellow belt in a few weeks!

By Colette on Tuesday, August 12, 2003 - 01:36 pm:

Glad it went well. All 3 of my kids take it and my ds is now in his "phase training" for his black belt.

By Feona on Tuesday, August 12, 2003 - 06:38 pm:

The Ot teacher said ds did very good today in session so I guess it helped him.