young Aikidoka

[Please visit our sponsor:]

[Paula Lydon]

~~Hi all! Does your dojo have a separate program for children/young people? We hadn't had one in the beginning, but later, and last year some of the first shodan adolescents were promoted. Now they're filtering into the regular evening classes (and sometimes the program teacher brings them all to the adult beginner classes). They are so much fun to train with, relate to and enjoy for what they bring. I make a point of chatting with the girls in the lockerroom because they tend to cluster with themselves, like they're not sure of their place. Some I've known for years now and have loved watching them grow, hearing about their current activities and challanges(raised two of my own).
~~I love training with the younger ones, too, how excited they become when they 'get' something! Kinda reminds me of me as I tend to jump about saying things like "oo-oo-oo!"
Unlike many of the adult serious-poops they show that you can have skill AND joy! When I show them their lack of balance they want to figure it out, not get angry; when they show me my lack of balance I thank them and they beam, then they keep dumping me until [I] figure it out.
~~Have fun!:D

[SeiserL]

We (Tenshinkai Aikido) have a large children's program. We don't train together until they get into later teens. They are great to watch and are inspiring.

Paula, Ikeda Sensei has a tape from the celebration he attended that shows many of the children, ask to see it.

[Juan]

Fortunately for me, I have a somewhat large kid's program 30+. They are more receptive than most of the older students. I have been teaching the kid's program for over a year now and it is the only program in the dojo with consistancy. my retention rate is about 90% however in the adult's program it runs anywhere as low as 20%.

I had never taught a kid's aikido class until I openned my own dojo, I must admit I wish at times that my adult's program was as successful but believe that I am teaching the FUTURE of AIKIDO.

As for training together.... No we have seperate classes for kids and adults.

The kids are a very interesting group to watch and be truly PROUD of.

[Paula Lydon]

~~Thanks Lynn, I will!~~

[Largo]

At our hombu, we have a kids group that goes till Jr high, and an adults group.