FRANCOIS DU PLESSIS SCHOOL OF KARATE
What is Pre-school karate?
Pre-school karate aims to assist in helping with the development of the child. The first 3 – 6 years of a child’s life is certainly the most important development years in which most patterns and models get formed in a child’s memory.
Through exercise the child is helped to develop. Attention specifically is given to the following:
- Co-ordination
- Movability
- Agility
- Rhythm
- Space
- Concentration
- Balance
- Reaction time
- Self-image
These aspects are all part of motorial development. If a child does not develop adequately in these mentioned areas it could lead to poor sport participation, muscle weakness, problems to read and writer, shyness, poor self-image etc.
What exercises are done?
This program concentrates to act on the level of the child. Exercises / movements are in the form of play so that the child can relate to them, because that’s mainly what his life consists of at this early stage.
Activities are aimed at developing the child as well as stimulating his/her brain through exercises where he/she has to think and concentrate. Research has proven that all these activities enhance the development of the child.
Advantages for the developing child
Through participating in this programme the child gets the opportunity to develop on all areas that are very important. The following is enhanced:
- Discipline
- Self-image
- Co-ordination
- Confidence
- Motorial development
No contact is involved and students are taught to block, kick and punch. The child learns to concentrate and he/she can think and find solutions of how to solve a task.
The child learns to handle him/herself with more confidence. Intellectually the child grows and he/she must listen, think, work and concentrate to reach success. These are all aspects that he/she will need in everyday life.