We feel that it’s important for the kids to get confident performing techniques on similar size students before training with people much larger than themselves. So with this in mind we split the classes into age ranges.

 

We run classes for 7-10yrs, 10+ and have recently opened a third class for 14-17’s.

We get a lot of parents asking if we will take children as young as 3 or 4 as they have a child that has a lot of energy and needs to blow off some steam, or they want them to learn respect.

A 45 minute session once a week is not likely to help a child work off a weeks supply of energy, in fact they are likely to hurt themselves or their partner and I suggest finding an outlet where they can get a lot of exercise whilst working individually.
Those that want their child to learn respect have to remember that one class a week with no support at home will only confuse a child. Although martial arts have an emphasis on respect for the teacher and fellow students, those that struggle at home/school may find the formal teaching of an Aikido class a bit rigid.

The format differs a little from the adult class as we take out the more painful joint locks. Our emphasis is on being able to break out of a firm grasp and perform some form of control on the aggressor be it a pin or a throw.

Each term we follow a set syllabus, regardless of rank, which contains some easier (and some trickier movements). We focus on one or two defences but from a wide range of attacks to try and build up muscle memory in the kids. We also include part of the adult weapons syllabus. They find it great fun to yell and swing a stick around, much to the apprehension of some of the on-looking parents. At the end of each term all students are graded on that terms syllabus.

The belt system is broken down into Bands (5 bands = full belt) they are awarded a number of bands equating to how much of the syllabus they can successfully perform. The gradings follow the same pattern as a regular class and are kept as stress free as possible. We want the kids to show what they know, not feel under pressure to perform at a special event.

All training is fully supervised so that no matter the technique, everyone trains safely.