Little Ninjas: Building Confidence, Focus & Life Skills During the Years That Matter Most
Ages 3–6 are some of the most important years in your child’s development. During these early years, children are learning much more than their ABCs and 123s. They are developing the ability to listen, concentrate, follow directions, interact with others, control their emotions, coordinate their bodies, and build the confidence they will carry into school and beyond.
At Family Martial Arts Center in Mount Dora, Florida, we believe this is the perfect time to introduce children to positive habits that can benefit them for years to come. That is why we offer our Little Ninja Program, a martial arts program developed specifically for preschool-age children.
More Than Just Learning to Kick and Punch
When parents hear the words “martial arts,” they may immediately think about kicking, punching, blocking, and self-defense. Our Little Ninja Program is about much more. We use an age-appropriate approach that combines education with entertainment—or “edutainment.” Children learn while they are moving, playing, interacting, and having fun. The goal is to keep children excited and engaged while helping them develop important physical, mental, and social skills.
Little Ninjas work on eight important areas of development:
- Focus
- Balance
- Self-Control
- Teamwork
- Memory
- Coordination
- Fitness
- Discipline
These skills can help children not only in martial arts class, but also at home, at school, on the playground, and in everyday life.
Building Better Listeners
One of the biggest challenges for many young children is learning how to stop, listen, focus, and follow directions. In Little Ninjas, children practice these abilities in a positive environment where listening becomes part of the fun. They learn that paying attention helps them perform a new technique, complete an activity, work with a partner, and accomplish a goal.
Over time, these small successes can help children understand the value of concentration and following directions—skills that become increasingly important when they enter school.
Confidence Through Achievement
Confidence isn’t something we can simply give a child. Children develop confidence by discovering that they are capable of learning and accomplishing new things. Our Little Ninjas are given age-appropriate challenges and opportunities to succeed.
Whether it is learning a new movement, remembering a sequence, improving their balance, participating with a group, or earning recognition for their effort, every accomplishment provides another opportunity for a child to say: “I can do this!” That feeling can be incredibly important to a young child.
Developing Coordination, Balance and Fitness
Young children are still learning how to control their growing bodies. Little Ninja activities help develop balance, coordination, motor skills, flexibility, and overall physical fitness in ways that are appropriate for young children. Instead of sitting on the sidelines, children are encouraged to move, participate, and learn. And because we want children to associate physical activity with something positive, we make having fun an important part of the process.
Learning Self-Control and Discipline
Martial arts provides a unique opportunity to introduce young children to the concepts of self-control and discipline. For a preschooler, discipline doesn’t have to mean something negative. It can simply mean learning to wait your turn, listen when someone else is speaking, follow instructions, finish an activity, and keep trying when something is difficult. These are small lessons with potentially big benefits.
Teamwork, Respect and Good Behavior
Children also need opportunities to learn how to interact positively with others. Our Little Ninjas practice working with instructors and classmates, taking turns, encouraging one another, and understanding that everyone in class deserves respect.
At Family Martial Arts Center, we believe the lessons taught in martial arts should extend beyond the training floor. We want our students to understand the importance of good behavior, courtesy, teamwork, perseverance, and doing their best at home, in school, and in social situations.
An Education in Safety
Safety is another important part of our Little Ninja Program. Children can begin learning age-appropriate personal safety concepts, including awareness and what to do in potentially dangerous situations. Our goal isn’t to frighten children. It is to begin giving them simple information and skills that can help them make safer choices as they grow.
Partnering With Parents
Parents are an important part of a child’s development. Our instructors want to work alongside parents by reinforcing many of the same positive values families are teaching at home—including respect for others, listening, good behavior, self-control, effort, and perseverance. When children hear these positive messages both at home and in class, those lessons can become even more meaningful.
Preschoolers Love Little Ninjas!
There is one ingredient we never want to forget: FUN! Young children learn best when they are engaged and enjoying themselves. That’s why Little Ninja classes are designed to be energetic, positive, encouraging, and age appropriate. We want children to look forward to coming to class while parents know that behind all that fun is a carefully structured learning experience.
Come Try 3 Classes FREE!
Reading about Little Ninjas is one thing. Seeing your child experience it is even better. Family Martial Arts Center is currently inviting new students to try THREE FREE INTRODUCTORY CLASSES and discover whether our Little Ninja Program is right for their family. There is no cost and no obligation.
Simply visit www.mtdorakarate.com and ask Katie, our Virtual Assistant, to schedule your child’s three free introductory classes. It’s really that simple.
Little Ninja Classes: Monday–Thursday, 6:00–6:30 PM
Family Martial Arts Center
3755 Lake Center Drive, Mount Dora, FL 32757
Phone: 352-383-0898
Email: mtdorakarate@aol.com
Give your child an opportunity to have fun, get active, make new friends, and begin developing skills that can last a lifetime. Preschoolers Love Little Ninjas!
“The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”
— Grandmaster Gary Wayne