Our Arts: Mighty Mites (6-10 years old) & Junior JiuJitsu & Judo (10-14 years old)
Why is learning a Martial Art important for kids?
Learning a martial art imparts confidence and discipline as well as many other character attributes. The classes provide the following for your child:
- Fun – provide motivation for continuing in the martial arts, engender in children a love for the martial arts
- Physical – Teach children basic skills of martial arts, and a physical culture
- Technical - Provide a technical foundation for martial arts
- Mental – Provide a mental challenge – including problem solving, decisiveness, attentiveness, some basic knowledge of technical theory and reasons for practising martial arts
- Character –
- Provide a setting which challenges and grows kids will-power, perseverance, humility, and the will to be generous and altruistic;
- Impart an intuitive sense of what violence is and the responsibilities of an able person
- Impart the confidence to talk clearly and sincerely
- Impart a responsibility to stand up for the underdog
- Provide a social setting where kids can learn to get along, develop social skills and a sense of belonging. Also, to get kids interested and involved in the martial arts culture and ethics.
What are we trying to teach and how?
We are trying to impart the character attributes required to be a good martial artist, as well as basic technical skill and the moral fibre to be trusted with the martial art.
Part of the martial art is transferred just by being in the class with the martial arts teacher and practising together. The basic technical skill is taught in the middle, and then students are given time to try techniques themselves with their partner. The teacher helps correct them as they go. Children learn how to win and lose gracefully by playing a fair game and the ability to help others by always supporting their partner after they throw, and stopping a technique when their partner taps.
What to expect out of a class?
A bowing ceremony to begin the class, then Ukemi (breakfall exercises) to warm up. We learn Kuzushi (breaking the opponents balance), and throwing techniques. We play various games and drills to learn balance, Kiai (yelling), silence, awareness, escapes and rolls etc. In Juniors we tend to do a bit of self-defence, and some more advanced techniques. Towards the end of class we do some groundwork techniques involving holds, and Randori (free practise). The class ends with a
What are the kids progressing towards?
From ages 6-8 we have the ‘Mighty Mites’ programme. Children are learning basic skills, the martial arts culture and discipline, and are enjoying and internalising the martial art through play. Children are also learning all of the basic skills needed for their first grades when they graduate into the Junior Judo programme. Children wear coloured stars on their belts to show their progression.
From ages 9 through 14 Children are part of the ‘Junior JiuJitsu & Judo’ programme. The syllabus and grades they undertake are part of the standard coloured belt system, but there tends to still be some games and competitive exercises in the classes to ease kids into the more serious classes.
Why our style of Martial Arts for kids?
Apart from the value of the martial art itself, our style of Jiujitsu, Judo, Chinese boxing is a circular, close in martial arts style. There is a focus on partner work, and falling safely. Both of these aspects lend themselves to a Childs education - it is important for kids to learn how to work with others safely, and for a common purpose; and kids and teenagers are often very active with activities like bike riding where falling and cuts and scrapes are a matter of course. Learning how to fall safely helps kids in these situations come out with less injuries and helps with confidence in other activities also.
How long have we been teaching kids? What are our credentials?
Most of our Mighty Mites and Juniors instructors started themselves as children and have been teaching Martial Arts as black belts between 15-30 years. Some instructors also have their own kids on the mat.
All instructors have Working With Children’s Checks and First Aid training.
Find a Martial Arts school near you...
Bayswater
Class held
Tuesday
7:15 pm – 8:45 pm JiuJitsu & Judo
8:45 pm – 9:45 pm JiuJitsu & Judo 6th Kyu +
Box Hill South
Classes held
Monday: 7:30 pm – 9 pm JiuJitsu & Judo
Wednesday: 6 pm – 7 pm Junior JiuJitsu & Judo
Wednesday: 7 pm – 8 pm Kung Fu
Wednesday: 8 pm – 9:30 pm JiuJitsu & Judo
Saturday: 11 am – 12:30 pm Junior JiuJitsu & Judo
Saturday: 2 pm– 3:30 pm JiuJitsu & Judo
Caulfield
Monash University (Caulfield)
Class held
Wednesday: 7:30 – 9:15 pm
Monash Sport Caulfield -
Group Fitness Studio
JiuJitsu & Judo
Clayton
Monash University (Clayton)
Classes held
Monday: 6:45 pm – 8:30 pm
Monash Sport Clayton -
Multi-Purpose Room
JiuJitsu & Judo
Viewbank
Class held
Sunday: 2 pm – 4 pm
JiuJitsu & Judo 13y/old to Adult
Sunday: 4 pm – 5 pm
Junior JiuJitsu & Judo
8-12 year old
Viewbank Primary
Class held
Friday: 1 pm – 1:50 pm JiuJitsu & Judo
for Viewbank Primary Students Only