The Young Achievers Program
Young Achiever Life Skill Curriculum
(A sign is posted each week outside the class so parents will know the theme of the month.)
These life skills are the heart of our Young Achiever curriculum at Karate West. Each month, instructors focus on one skill with drills, routines and "mat chat". To the children, these drills often look like "play" and that makes learning fun! But look more closely and you will see the hand and-eye coordination at work, memory skills being enhanced, and focus and listening being highly developed at this exciting early age!
Skill: FOCUS
This skill will help your child's listening and reactions skills. They will excel faster in any physical activity. Your child will also become a better listener and a more focused student in school.
Skill: TEAMWORK
The more comfortable your child is when working with others, the more they will accomplish. As a team player, your child will develop more character, which will help them make new friends and become a better leader in life.
Skill: BALANCE & COORDINATION
This skill is important to develop at an early age. Your child will become a better participant in sports and activities if they feel more confident in their physical abilities.
Skill: MEMORY
Developing a good memory is exercise for your child's brain. We believe that the sooner your child exercises his or her memory, the stronger that part of the brain will become. Our drills are constantly challenging your child's memory skills.
Skill: DISCIPLINE & CONTROL
Our instructors use various drills to help create the vision that discipline can be very rewarding. Your child will take pride in doing the right thing and making good decisions.
Skill: STRANGER SAFETY
Your child will learn how to "Play it Safe" including Karate West's 5-Step Defense. Topics will be taught in a non-threatening manner. Other safety topics are covered throughout the year including: Fire safety, Home safety, Traffic Safety, etc.
Skill: CONFIDENCE
It is important for children to have confidence in their own abilities. One of our primary goals is to re-enforce that each child is "Special, Smart & Strong!" and we do that with a number of drills designed to build each child's confidence.
Skill: GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP
Good Sportsmanship means having a good attitude and behavior, even when things don't go the way we want them to. Your child will learn what it means to display a positive attitude when they win or lose.
Skill: RESPECT
Being respectful means showing honor. Your child will learn about being respectful. The instructors set a very important example by being respectful to the students.
Skill: LISTENING
Being a good listener is a very important skill that will be beneficial throughout a child's life. Your child will learn that there are 5 steps to being a good listener.
Skill: COMPASSION
Compassion means showing kindness to those in need. Your child will have the opportunity to participate in various drills and activities which will help them in learning what compassion is all about and how it makes a difference in another person's life.