Suggestions for Karate Lessons

Martial Arts America starts children as young as 3 1/2. My son started at 4.5 and my daughter at 3.5. We love it!!! There are multiple Bay Area locations including Walnut Creek, San Ramon on Crow Canyon Road, Pleasanton, etc. Their phone book ads call them Karate for Kids, and they truly live up to that. They even let you try a lesson for free. My son, who is almost nine should be getting his black belt in a few more months. We go to the Walnut Creek studio, but have met instrutors from all the studios and would feel comfortable at any of them. Good luck.

My sons have attended Richard Lee's East West Kung Fu in Alamo Plaza (by Round Table Pizza) for 10+ years. My oldest started at 5 and my youngest at 4 (actually 4 years, 4 months). My youngest was always, always active and so I thought that maybe the kung fu would help him focus. It did. The thing about the program at East West is that they don't focus on kids sparring at an early age, they have classes specific to little ones, and they stress respect and control/discipline (not the punching, kicking, etc. at some schools). They have great teachers and a wonderful class schedule--virtually every day (the price isn't bad either). The just started a pre-kindergarten program (I think classes start around 12:30 p.m. for the really young ones. Check out the website at bokfudo.com. I think attending the school has made my sons better students and better people. The material they learn trains their bodies and their minds. I believe almost all the students excel in school, and many of the teens have graduated off to Harvard, Stanford, Cornell, and UC schools. The school is like a big family, and the kids/teens all get along really well. Check out the school on any afternoon around 3:00 to see the little kid classes, or on Saturdays around noon for the weekly demonstration (great examples of the youth/teens).

I joined TaeKwonDo with my children 5.5 yrs ago and have received my black belt. Part of the training was instruction of the small children. TaeKwonDo (I can't speak for Karate) does wonders for small children, boys in particular. Lots of physicians suggest martial arts for younger children with slight learning disabilities or the inability to focus. It does seem to work with the right instruction and positive role models. The studio that I belong to has 3 great male instructors (high energy, great with children, great workouts). Children can begin class at 4 yrs old (that is true of most studios). The studio is in Orinda, CA. It's called Lamorinda Martial Arts, phone: ###-###-####. Website is: www.tkdlmas.com.

L.... what about Tumbling classes for your son ? It's fun for the kids and they have to pay attention and focus. ( What 3 or 4 yr old focuses for more than 5 minutes anyway ? ) .... ANY activity is good in my opinion.

L.,
I'm not sure where you are located but my 6 year old daughter goes to USA Kung Fu Studio in Castro Valley. She loves it and it definitely helps with listening to directions and focusing. Sifu Jamie is wonderful with the kids, stern yet compassionate and he does a great job. He is very good at reading kids and determining the best way to approach them. Pallen Martial Arts is also a good place (I have heard). good luck!

When my boys were little we were advised to put them in martial arts classes as well. My feeling is if you have a wiggly kid, he's not going to respond well to the discipline. Your son is probably a very bright,inquisitive fellow who might respond better to another approach to the classroom. My oldest is a senior in high school who is now an accomplished drummer and artist, my middle guy is a sophmore and star athlete. They eventually grew out of their antsyness in class. Some kids just arent made to sit still for long periods of time. Perhaps short jumping jack breaks would help. Don't worry too much. He's only three. He's got a long way to go.

We have our oldest son enrolled in Tae Kwon Do, which he has been taking since 4 1/2. He also needed to focus, and learn respect for elders outside our family. He loves it and has progressed steadily. (We also explored Akido. There is a well known and respected school in San Leandro, but the hours didn't work with our schedules). Three seems a little young for a structured class. My experience was to wait until my son was older and more willing to take direction and had delveloped a longer attention span. We have friends who started their son in karate early, and it was a waste of money because he wouldn't always cooperate. We have a younger son (4 1/2) who we will enroll this summer, when he's closer to 5. Try music at this age - or something where he can run, like soccer. Our youngest loves moving. Hope this helps!