Should karate based martial art schools have a separate children and adult curriculum?

Question

I have seen Karate schools where children or "young adults" were unable to sucessfully transition into adult classes. Size and understanding seem to be the only limiting factors (in general) between children and adults so what would cause young transitioning students to quit?

Answer 1

most schools ive been in do go by age.and it is desined for that age group

Answer 2

My classes used to be KIDS 7 TO 12 teens 13 to 17 adults 18 plus .If some 14 year old 6 foot 2 inch 190 pounder joined up (and I had 2 of those )I would ask him to attend the adult classes.

There are some things I teach to adults I definitely do not want children to learn or even see.

What is the point of advancing to adult classes if you are not going to increase your knowledge and just do "more of the same"

Childrens classes should be more devoted to "street smart street safe" awareness then turning them into tournament champions or super duper sparrers .No matter how good they look they don't have the power or body mass to over power larger assailants best to teach them how to recognize and get away from those creeps.

Answer 3

That's the way every school I've ever been to operates for beginners - however, once a young man or woman has demonstrated they can be responsible with more training, they are usually permitted to train with adults.

Answer 4

No decent karate school has adults and children together.  If they do then get the heck out of there and go to a real school!

Answer 5

I wil try to answer each of your answers clearly...

1. Should karate based martial art schools have a separate children and adult curriculum?

A1. Ideally they should yes. But it isn't always possible. But I would also suggest that they should have some classes together as well. There are many benefits for both the adults and the kids to train together. But if they are always together, they do not get the best training for their age groups.

2. What would cause young transitioning students to quit?

A2. A number of factors cause students to quit. I would suggest that the change in their lifestyle is the biggest factor. Here in Japan it is the school schedule that knocks out a lot of good junior students... but in N. America and other places it could be friends and dating, part-time jobs, etc.

It might also be the difference in class atmosphere. The junior brown belt who is 14 and big in the kids class may suddenly be small and weak and low ranked in the adults class and the knock to their ego (at such a time in their personal human development) can be too much.

It could be the actual training in the adult class. Does it hurt? Is it "boring" to the teen? Is he or she suddenyl surrounded by the much dreaded "adults" and they do not feel part of it?

These are only a few things I have seen over the years. I think if you are able to identify a common thread in the teens who are leaving maybe it is an issue you can address (ie: boring adult classes). If not, then you will just have to meet each case as it comes...

Nice question.

Answer 6

Both John and Pugpaws2 answered the question with obvious experience in the situation, not saying that the other answers were ill informed, but just a little bit much in "unfair treatment" of the "juvenile" groups compared to the adults.

Children do NOT have the mentality necessary for the "real" violence, and the understanding of when to use or not use what they've learned. This I have not seen but in a VERY VERY FEW teenagers (17-19). On another note I have also seen MANY adults who were not mature enough for the knowledge getting passed on. This is why, in my "society" we wait a long time before teaching anything that gives enough power to be a scary individual in ability.

The maturity gap is the biggest reason (not age). There are many factors that compile to make maturity, and life experience is the most influential. I don't want to teach a class of adults where the whole class we are talking about and practicing the deadly strikes and sometimes joking about what happens. Adults in my classes fully understand the ramifications of their actions, even though we joke once in a while. Now a young teen would see a group of adult "peers" joking about hitting people and doing this damage, and they will not be able to understand that this is not a joke. Subsequently, they go try it on their friends and hurt somebody, or they fight and use it when it wasn't necessary and put somebody in the hospital.

I also believe it to be a slap in the face of an adult when a CHILD has the rank of a MAN (DAN). The earliest that a Dan rank should be attained is 16-18. This might seem a little harsh for others to take in, but in Japan Dan=Man and that was 16yrs of age. The maturity level here is far different as the general responsabilities are different.

On top of that an 13yr old is not likely to defeat a 17 year old and up for that matter in any skilled combat, (if both have trained).

Again, I could go on but it would end up becomming a rant and I am not here to do that.

What made you think of this question if you don't mind?

Answer 7

Yes they should have separate classes.  What motivates, stimulates, and challenges an adult is not always the same thing as what does for a child.  Don't misunderstand me; they can work out together and some of that is good as it allows both to learn from each other but a constant schedule of that will short change someone over the long run.  Just imagine going to only children's movies and only watching children's television programs and I think you will get my meaning.  While some are enjoyable and interesting for adults that does not mean adults want and desire that all the time.  Not only that but in the areas of self-defense and certain techniques some should not be taught to children until they have been in martial arts for some length of time and proven that they can exercise the proper responsibility that goes with knowing such techniques.  Adults at the same time being more mature and generally out and about on their own much more frequently and often have more of a need for such techniques than an eight year old does.  From the opposite side jump kicks and tricking is one area that children gravitate towards while adults, especially older ones generally could care less about those aspects so having separate classes allows an instructor to more easily cater to the needs of each group as well as give them some additional, interesting things or fun things to work on beyond testing requirements.

As for younger students quitting a lot has to do with the way life is in general now for tweens and young teens.  Many become involved in other sports and activities at school.  A lot of their whole social network revolves around all that.  They also are being encouraged to take on addtional responsibilities and part-time jobs sometimes so that they can develop a work ethic, earn a little in the way of spending money or save for a car or insurance when they start driving.  Going to movies, dances, out for pizza with friends, buying small items are all things that take money and oftentimes kids now adays supplement their allowances or the money their parents give them with their own that they make from working part time jobs.

Answer 8

I don't think they should.

If the people have the ability and mentality, then who cares how old/big they are?!?

Some adults can be shorter than some kids, so why should they have a different curriculum?

At my Taekwondo place, each belt learns the same curriculum, and it's amazing to watch the little kids do all these moves that I can't! (We have mixed classes)

Answer 9

Aaron J's answer sums it up as I totally agree.

When I was coaching/teaching under my own instructor I disliked teaching kids,as they don't have the mental maturity to understand the consequences of they're training and actions outside the club ,it wouldn't be prudent to teach a kid finger locks or breaks as they may take things too far in the school yard and the onus eventually would return to the instructor/coach if damage was done.

Yes kid's should have a separate syllabus and retain their innocence and once they reach the age to progress to the adult syllabus be made fully aware of the consequences their skills may have in real life,well I'm talking from a jiu-jitsu point of view but realistic karate techniques should be viewed in the same context.

Sorry if I've rambled on a bit, Best wishes :)***

Answer 10

At age 12 I switched from the childrens to adult classes because my sensai's said I was too mature for the class. Once I started the "adult" class I began to lose interest because it wasn't as much fun as the kids class and I felt like I was behind. Usually I would be getting a new belt between 6 months-a year but then I was the same belt for close to 2 years. Even though they classified our class as the "young adults" there wasn't a good enough transition. I haven't been to karate in a few montsh and I'm not sure if I want to return. It just went from fun to work and I don't think it was as enjoyable.

Answer 11

I'm a "young adult" that does karate and my class has both children and adults in it. I thinks its good that both are together. Everyone does the same and everyone feels equal and part of a team.

Answer 12

Any MA school that teaches both children and adults should have separate classes for each.  I see your point about the transition to the adult classes.  It seems to me that if you look at the ages of students in both the children's classes and the adult classes you will find that there is an age gap.  When teens get to a certain age range they become more interested in being with their friends, dating, holding a job, getting a car, ...etc.  It may be that those children that are promoted to Black Belt in the children's classes may not feel like they have much to look forward to in the adult classes.

Answer 13

Well there are many reasons for children quitting besides transitions into adults. some lose interest and want to do do other things. Some were only there because their parents wanted them too. Sometimes the students have reached there full potential and do not see continuing as a challenge and rewarding enough besides there are not many college scholarships out their for these athletes. Most of them use martial arts as a gateway to be good at other sports and move on!

Answer 14

If you've ever met a 14 year old two stripe black belt, you might say no.

Answer 15

in taekwondo we  have classes for kids and adults it works better that way

Answer 16

how they would treat us like that