Within the JKA, we have thousands of children and youth members from junior school to high school learning the values of karate and applying them in their daily life.
Karate for children is not only fun, it provides many important benefits to young people. Some of these benefits are referred to in Japanese as 'KI-IKU' (mental/inner development), 'TOKU-IKU' (moral/ethical development) and 'TAI-IKU' (physical development). These are the same three classes of personal development found in traditional educational systems.
In terms of 'KI-IKU' (mental/inner development), karate helps build concentration, focus, clear thinking and decisiveness.
Karate has strong internal benefits as well. It helps instill patience, discipline, perseverance, understanding and open-mindedness. It builds confidence, develops self-control and increases calmness, courtesy and peace—all of which will aid everyone in every endeavor they undertake in life. These correspond to 'TOKU-IKU' (moral/ethical development).
Of course, karate is good for the body, too ('TAI-IKU'). Physically it is excellent for the heart, builds strong bones and bigger muscles, creates resilience, and makes the body less susceptible to sickness and injury.
Karate is also a great leveller, because all students start from the same level regardless of their academic ability.
In all these ways, karate is profoundly helpful to young people in dealing with the many challenges facing them in today's society. It brings them balance and perspective at an age when these are needed most. It adds a strong foundation to their character.
Our instructors are qualified to teach children under strict guidelines by the Japan Karate Association (JKA) and are vetted by the Criminal Records Bureau.
As parents you will want to know what Karate is all about before allowing your children to come along, please feel free to come along to the club and watch, our Sensei's will be happy to have a chat and answer any of your questions.
Their first session is free and they are under no obligation to join or continue. All they need to start is some loose clothing.
