Issues with teaching children martial arts?

You have heard me slam McDojos in the past, sorry if I have offended anyone. Yet I can see why they exist, when teaching children MA or anything parents seem to expect instant gratification (not all of course) but old school discipline is no longer welcomed. (like silence in the dojo etc...) Another issue is that many parents feel their child can "do no wrong"...When I studied MA as a child, the Sensei was the king of the dojo. Now I see easy roads for child black belts, watered down fake techniques. I huge push for flashy stuff and again easy rank requirements. I teach Martial arts, the old school discipline (but I don't yell or belittle anyone) even my daughter is one of my students. Yet I test once a year with high expectations, I guess I am a dinosaur. But I don't want to give bogus rank or teach fake techniques...What is your opinion, everyone?

Issues with teaching children martial arts?
I think that there is a major change in child psychology these days.





Most of the parent at our dojang are wanting the discipline, in fact, it's why they joined martial arts.





But the discipline for 4-5 year olds is completely different than that for 7-8 year olds.





You also can't expect perfection of technique in a high percentage of young children. You always have a few gems that get it, they can execute perfect forms, perfect techniques and have coordination and strength that others their age don't have.





If you hold the majority of the kids back due to imperfect technique, then the child will lose interest and the child will start to doubt. "I can't do it" is what they will tell their parents. Some parents will force them, and then the child will "hate going to class", therefore, they will continue to fail in martial arts.





Let's say you start a 7 year old in a martial arts class, and promote them 4 times in a single year. The child has a good attitude, the parent is proud, the child has learned 4 forms, they've gone through the testing scenario 4 times, and they've KEPT THEIR INTEREST!





As the master continues to teach, he will correct those problems, such as a bad side kick, or a wobbly front stance.





I think some of strict instructors are way too critical of children.





The kid isnt in martial arts to become the next UFC champion. The kid is there to have fun, and learn stuff he saw on Power Rangers. The parents are hoping for better focus, longer attention span, better grades, physical activity and some self discipline.





I used to be against the "fast promotion", but my view has changed significantly.





Maybe the kid who is a blue belt in a year isnt any better than 1 year student who is still white belt in another school. But does that really matter?





I will say that the fast promotion track emphasizes quantity over quality, however, by the 3rd to 5th year, the quality will catch up (in children)!





I suggest you relax, have some fun, make the kids want to come to class.





My daughter most looks forward to playing duck, duck, goose or another game at the end of class. In the meantime, she learns martial arts.





James
Reply:It is best to stick with the old school ways.


Your school will gain the reputation as the one "Good"


school in the area.


This will draw "good students",students that are more than willing to work hard %26amp; "earn" each rank as they progress.
Reply:I agree. There are too many black belt factories out there these days that promote people solely for the money they know it will bring. When it comes to the martial arts instant gratification should not be part of the program regardless of weather or not it pleases the parents. In my dojo a black belt was for one thing, holding your pants up, it was the years of hard work, experience, and dedication behind ones rank that meant something. Today most people are fundamentally lazy and are more interested in the mantle of black belt than anything else. It is those preoccupations that lead to the teaching of inferior techniques and it is those same kinds of techniques that let a fighter down in crucial situations and leave them bleeding on the street.
Reply:You have good credibilty and I like the fact that you are not handing out belts like crazy. I respect that very much. Keep it up.
Reply:McDojos are a disgrace to not only Martial Arts but to society as well. And even more important when it comes to teach to kids. Why on earth parents would want their kid to learn that in order to obtain anything you need to give money, cry, cheat or even threaten?





The sanctity of Martial Art is being lost by becoming more and more a product that any person with the right money can buy. Where is the Martial part of it? Or even the Art? Life is not Nintendo and if they want their kids to become a mediocre image of themselves well let them do it.





I’m sorry for my rant but since I moved in US in the Silicone Valley I discovered that term “McDojo” and what it implies when I never saw that anywhere else in the world… Best Martial Art doesn’t come with money but discipline, hard work and persistence. Any dojo teaching something else doesn’t deserve to be called Dojo.





I really understand your frustration and really encourage you to keep being a “dinosaur” like you said. Nobody likes to do plenty of push-ups, or work hard if not asked but at the end they will learn self-satisfaction and feel much better and thank you. I realized that if you are soft with them they will not take it seriously and end up control the class.





And again please, CONTINUE to do so… You keep the concept of Martial Art alive.
Reply:you, my friend are rare. and like rare things, you possess great value. don't change. i know it's easy to give in considering the wealth that many of these McDojo's enjoy, but if it is any consolation, i have belonged to a dojo that has watched many McDojos come an go. simply because we showed up for the tournaments ready and they did not. ( it's not much fun to have your @ss handed to you time and time again and still believe your sensei is teaching you the "real" stuff)


stay strong brother.
Reply:You must explain your methods and what they can expect before they even set foot on the floor to the parents and be sure the child also understands those requirements.





The dojo rules are also gone over with both parent and child ."I didn't know or I forgot" is not acceptable as a reason.


The child will naturally be drawn to the flash and spectacular technique and you must make it clear these are "demo" technique not self defense and all technique must be categorized in this manner demo tech. sparring tech. practical self defense tech.A child can't differentiate unless it is explained and has the false idea all the stuff learnt in the arts are self defence effective .


MCDOJO are into the flash aspect and winning trophys at point tournaments and little or no time spent on actual self defense and what they do teach as self defense is totally unrealistic.


For children my gradings are once a year from the time you started or attained your last belt so they are looking at 7 to 8 years to shodan .If a child started at 7 or 8 yrs old he would be 15 or 16 before he attained shodan which is just about right.A mcdojo couldn't survive on such few gradings.