Kid's Karate Classes

Kenpo Karate is a great recreational activity for children.  It provides good exercise and self-discipline, builds confidence, and establishes achievable goals.  Our Kid's Karate classes incorporate the 3-Steps to a Great Kid™ program, which is a character development curriculum specifically designed to fit within a martial arts program.  Emphasis on respect - respecting the instructors, respecting the school, respecting fellow students - develops virtue of character that is lifelong. 

The class begins and ends with the student creed:
            "I pledge as a Kenpo Black Belt, to use my skills and knowledge only for what is right, and to make the principles of effort, etiquette, sincerity, character and self-control a part of my daily life™".

The self-defense skills we teach are applicable in the real world, not just tournaments, and will give your children both confidence and practical tools to use throughout their lives.  This is all provided in a bright, clean, friendly environment, where concern for your child's safety is our top priority.

World renowned child psychologist Dr. Ruth Peters (featured on the Oprah Winfrey Show, Good Morning America, CBS Good Morning, NBC's Today, CNN Morning News, MSNBC and Lifetime Live) recommends sending children with ADHD and other behavioral and discipline problems to a martial arts school to increase their focus, concentrate better, and have more self-control.

Martial Arts develops strength and coordination while teaching children how to avoid conflicts and defend themselves if attacked.

Students typically train two to three times per week. 

General Information:
View the complete children's Gasan Ryu™ Kenpo Curriculum from white through Black Belt.  The classes cover all the material on the curriculum on a monthly rotation basis.  The students are usually ready to test for their new belts in 4-6 months after their previous belt promotion. 

Information on Testing:
Kids age 4-6 are advanced during the first week of each monthly with a black stripe on their belt, and promoted on a calendar basis every 5 months, there is no cumulative test. 
Kids ages 7 and up are promoted on a proficiency basis in addition to the calendar requirement.  Colored stripes are awarded each month on a proficiency basis for the required material during the first week of each month.  When the student has all six of the colored stripes they are eligible for the cumulative belt test on the last Friday of the month.  They must complete and hand in a "Permission to test sheet" Most students are prepared to test 2-3 times a year.  Additional testing information here.

Terminology, History, Book Reports, etc:
The white stripe is for material that can be learned and studied by the student outside of regular class.  Here is a list of general requirements for terminology.  Also, when students have studied the USA Flag Test, they can test after class and get a flag for their Gi!  Once they have the USA flag they can then study and test for the Texas Flag Test.  Both flags go on the left shoulder.

See some of our kids in action on the video clips page!

Kid's Class Schedules:

More information on the Lakewood dojo, including maps, photos and directions

Tuition:
You can mix and match classes during the week, for example your child could take classes weekdays at Lakewood and then join us at the Bachman dojo on Saturdays.  Full information on tuition is here.

Besides regular kids classes, we offer several other programs for children and families, including Pilates, Summer Camps and Parent's Night Out.

Kids Private Karate Carpool Class:

Don't see the schedule or times that are best for you? 
Chamberlain Studios offers a "Private Carpool Class" that may fit your needs better.  Get several families together (10 student minimum, and we can help fill the class if you like) and we will set up a private program and time slot just for you and your group.  We have done this very successfully with other families, who like the flexibility in their schedule and the ease of sharing the driving.