Absolutely! We usually talk about this in the first class, and even make the kids make a verbal promise to not use anything they learn in class in the outside world, unless absolutely necessary.  They also receive a practice pad with their enrollment package, which gives them a specific place to focus their newfound "ninja moves" on!

In fact, it's what your child will learn with us that will keep them OUT of fights. But should the time ever arise where they need to defend themselves (against a peer), they will be able and ready.  

Yes!  Other sports are often unstructured, and even chaotic.  At the Kinder age, this kind of noise and chaos can sometimes be overwhelming, resulting in shyness and unwillingness to participate, and even tears. 

Our Kinder Karate® classes have just the right mix of structure and fun.  Kids will be delighted when they discover how quickly they can make gains in coordination, speed, balance, and even agility. Often, they find they are good at something for the first time in their lives. And there is no competing for spots on a team. Everyone participates and everyone benefits.

We also believe in patience when introducing a child to our classes.  We don't push, but gently invite, and are willing to work with parents if it take more than one time to get their children comfortable on the floor.

Certainly! We believe martial arts classes don't have to look like the army. We know that if kids aren't interested, they aren't learning. We MUST keep the kids engaged and having fun in class, or they won't want to keep coming back. Kids at the Kinder age, in particular, accomplish much of their learning through PLAY.  Knowing this, we are just taking what their natural learning state is, and re-creating it in our school environment.

We always end with a fun, skill-based game, which incorporates 2 or 3 steps or rules.  Kids learn the technique, learn how to sequence, and learn how to follow a set of rules, all at once!  And because they are having fun, learning is never a chore.  We have the right balance of discipline and FUN.

Sometimes, this is the first time the child has done anything individually, without holding mom's hand.  We give rewards for small steps forward.  Each class ends with the children receiving a belt stripe when they can demonstrate what they've learned.  The stripes then build until they are ready for the belt test.

By giving them small, achievable goals, we build the kids' confidence one class at a time, and later one belt at a time. As they advance, they fill with pride, and look forward to moving onto bigger and more difficult goals.

We also encourage leadership, right from the get-go.  The kids gently get introduced to this by volunteering to demonstrate a technique for the class, and then later, to be able to lead a combo or sequence to teach a technique.  Beyond that, we have a leadership program where our 6 year olds have the opportunity to attend a separate class, and then help with the younger classes, demonstrating their leadership by giving positive encouragement, showing proper listening and attention behavior, and overall, how to role model for the younger kids. 

Our Kinder Karate® programs accept children into our group classes at age 4, with an approved evaluation by the instructor.  Because our programs were written SPECIFICALLY for the development of this age, we are able to do great things with kids at this young age that other schools can't (or won't). 

Martial arts are for boys AND girls. We know that boys and girls have different learning styles.  Boys often engage physically first, and then mentally, whereas girls will engage mentally first, and then the physical will come next.  We know how to make positive connections with the girls in a way that draws them out of their comfort zone, and encourages them to be the best they can be!

Our girls are some of the most confident, strong individuals you'll find anywhere. We take care to make sure that the girls are given all the opportunities the boys are given, including leadership opportunities.

The answer is unequivocally YES!  Our Kinder Karate classes allow children to progress at their own pace, so they do not have to worry about "keeping up" with others.  Our classes focus on gross motor skills, such as balance, footwork, throwing, and even sitting up straight!

Kinder-aged kids (especially those closer to 3 years old) typically have poor muscle tone, especially in the core.  This is why they typically fall when running, and sometimes appear to be "floppy."  Our classes focus on the gross motor skills to create better muscle tone, and therefore, better coordination and less "clumsiness."

Older kids in Kinder Karate will focus more on higher repetitions, more intricate footwork, and higher sequencing of rules and instructions, thus accelerating their progress.

Our Kinder Karate® classes will usually have 10-15 students in a class.  Students are always arranged into smaller, manageable groups, so that no student is sitting or waiting in line for long periods of time.  

With that being said, most (OTHER) traditional martial arts schools or programs will combine the younger with the older kids, (ie., ages 5-14) and may have as many as 30-40 kids in a class.  

Yes!  And no... Parents will stay to watch their child's first trial class.  After that, parents will drop off their child (and wait for pickup). We have parent viewing days at each cycle's midpoint, and then again on belt testing day.  The only thing we ask is, no coaching from the sidelines, and no sideline noise.  If siblings must attend, we ask that you step outside with them if they become unhappy or unruly.  

We have made these parent viewing changes because we found that the younger ages are less distracted, and actually process and retain more information when mom and dad are NOT present.  Once your child reaches our 7 year old program, you will be able to view every class inside the training facility.

Yes!  We offer a "try before you buy" first class to all kids.  Your child is encouraged to participate in or watch that first class, according to their comfort level.  After that, when you like what you see, and your child loves what he did, you will be sent a link to pay for that class, and the 2 more classes that are included in the trial program.

No, our Kinder Karate® classes operate year-round.  The only Kinder Karate® classes that have a start and stop date are our camps and special events.

Because we believe that Kinder Karate® is a program and NOT an activity, we do not have "sessions."  Our students are constantly improving and working towards their next goal.  We like to say that our Kinder Karate® students are like a cake: "The longer you bake it, the higher it will rise."  And like a cake, if you stop its progress and re-start it, the result just won't be the same as if you left it to progress full-stop, as it should.

No, you do not have to commit to any certain period of time.  As we mentioned in the last answer, we believe that the longer a student stays with the program, the more positive changes you will see.

However, we do not use contracts or long-term agreements.  We simply ask for a 30-day quit notice, should your child wish to withdraw. 

No, we offer open enrollment.  Because we don't offer sessions that start and stop, you child may get started at any time.

ABSOLUTELY!  We have programs for every age, up to adults.  Our next age level progam is called Ninjability,™ and is designed for 7 & 8 year olds.  It incorporates more fluid movements, more physical training (such as push ups, sit ups, etc.), and obstacle training.

Ninjability is not offered at every Kinder Karate® location.  It is offered currently at Pleasant Hills and Elizabeth/McKeesport.  Click HERE to visit the Ninjability™ website.

I saved the most complex question for last.

The REAL question that parents should be asking 

is:  "Which martial arts SCHOOL is best for kids?"  The short answer is this: Any style could be good for kids, provided that they have an instructor that understands the kids' needs

developmentally and is able to teach with that in mind.

The sad fact of the matter is most martial arts schools are owned by martial artists who would rather NOT teach kids.  I have been around enough in my 2 decades to know this is a fact, and I can't tell you how many times I have heard a school owner say that they have "graduated" from teaching kids, and only teach adults.  Most times, they have their LEAST qualified instructors teaching the youngest students.

At Kinder Karate, we believe JUST THE OPPOSITE. We believe the MOST qualified instructors should be teaching your kids.  And don't confuse this with instructors with the longest resume or "pedigree." The best ones are those who love kids, are excited about them, and understand  their development.