Kids JKD Curriculum

[Keith Miller]

I am toying with the idea of a Kids JKD class at my dojo. Does anyone have any ideas about curriculum, and how to break it up into goals. I know that little kids need goals or benchmarks...I was thinking about colored sashes for each level.

Any ideas?

Thanks,

Keith

[Keith Miller]

Interesting. So focus on attributes and SDAs. Each new skill is a new sash/belt or stripe/certificate.

At what age group would you recommend developing the other types of attacks and trapping skills? May adult class is not open to anyone under the age of 14-15 years of age.

Thanks again,

[brentlance]

I teach alot of kids classes and I don't use belts. I use phases I, II, and III for all my adult students, but only phase I for kids. I do however break phase I training into 3 levels for kids. Phase I - Level III is the highest "rank" I give to kids. Although for their ages (14 and under, or so) it is pretty involved curriculum.

I keep my ranking structure pretty much the same. Only in kids classes I have a footwork award, a kick award, a punch award, etc. And also a creativity award for kids who can demonstrate independent thought, a leadership award, awards for school citizenship and academics. And pretty much any other positive reinforcement.

This way I can give certificates for hard work, while allowing kids to still respect what phase II and phase III are all about. I have found that for kids you have to be creative and most important expect creativity from them. For instance, give them more opportunity to come up with ideas and use them, whether they work or not doesn't matter. Let them learn by experience with good guidance from the instructor.

Because in the end you want to teach them how to teach themselves.

[Tim Tackett]

Richie in West Palm Beach in Florida teaches a lot of kids. You should contact him as he has a great program as does Brent.

[Geoff]

Going along the same lines ... a student can keep coming to you for more technique or fish..... but if you teach the person how to fish he or she can catch there own fish..

[Geoff]

Its reported that bruce could teach discipline without discipline...its like in the same token a child born and taught differently...
like forexample a parent would say to the child...."this is a ball ...repeat after me...this is a ball" or this is a chair or pencil etc etc..but on the other hand you might get another parent do it different... say forexample a parent might make you explore what a ball can do and so the child comes back with different ideas on what a ball can do...forexample a child stumbles on a ball...."what this for daddy" "oh go and find out and let me know what you found....so the child goes and finds out and.... "well you can use it to kick and run with and throw into a hoop etc...i think this way your teaching the child to fish by its-self....dont you think?

[lssanjose]

I teach alot of kids classes and I don't use belts. I use phases I, II, and III for all my adult students, but only phase I for kids. I do however break phase I training into 3 levels for kids. Phase I - Level III is the highest "rank" I give to kids. Although for their ages (14 and under, or so) it is pretty involved curriculum.

I keep my ranking structure pretty much the same. Only in kids classes I have a footwork award, a kick award, a punch award, etc. And also a creativity award for kids who can demonstrate independent thought, a leadership award, awards for school citizenship and academics. And pretty much any other positive reinforcement.

This way I can give certificates for hard work, while allowing kids to still respect what phase II and phase III are all about. I have found that for kids you have to be creative and most important expect creativity from them. For instance, give them more opportunity to come up with ideas and use them, whether they work or not doesn't matter. Let them learn by experience with good guidance from the instructor.

Because in the end you want to teach them how to teach themselves.

That's really cool Brent! I've often wondered how to adjust JKD to kids, being that the mentality of JKD is something that requires a mature mind. I hope I'm saying that right.

[Geoff]

it is said that jkd is simple in its approach....without having any hindrances.
one of the quotes i read on bruce lee was " conscientiousness of self is the greatess hindrance to the proper execusion of physical action"
it is a child that hears a bird singing...and calls it a bird and its only the adult that would call it a canary.... mayb if we all started to see through hour own childs eyes we can see things more simplier....that doesnt have to be a mature mind....just my opinion

[Geoff]

Theres so many teaching styles and that was just one i pointed out....that i read from an article by mr dan inosanto....(but he did elaborate it alot better than me )so yes i did use another learning process..the one that i value other peoples experiences and not just my own. so my perspective of others are very...VERY!!!! high.
Thats why i like asking questions on this jkd forum because i dont know jkd....just that everbody has there own way of doing something doesnt mean im right and there wrong ......or vise versa or inside out or outside in....whatever!
I was told by email about this forum so yes i learnt about something....but from that i did stumble onto other forums too....but if i wasnt told i do believe i would have stumbled onto them(maybe from a friend or by accident by surfing the internet and BANG!... i didnt know that was here)...that doesnt mean someones bias about how information is sorted out and processed in ones own mind.
I managed to stumble on a book about jkd mr kent and mr tackett so then i emailed the person and to my delight which i was so happy....that i started to ask questions....questions that werent paved with rigid structure or fixed patterns(but a friendly atmosphere).....but with an open mind so i could learn about the jkd....
And that if i ask sensible questions put in a contsructive way i would bereplied(to my curiosity) i did get answers back......so yes i do have a high opinion of people who know jkd because i dont know it.....take care.......