Why choose GKR Karate for Kids?

Karate for Kids

Karate is the ideal sport for kids for building self-confidence, balance, co-ordination, discipline and courtesy, while learning basic self-defence skills. The majority of our classes cater for children aged 5 years and up, however we also conduct classes for 3-4 year olds in selected venues.

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GKR Karate Classes For Kids

GKR’s classes provide a warm, friendly and encouraging atmosphere and all instructors are fully accredited with the IGKF (International Go-Kan-Ryu Federation). Children may train in regular classes (alongside people of all ages including other family members) or train in special kids classes. These classes run for one hour and consist of basic training as well as many karate-associated games.
Karate Provides A Win / Win Environment

With most sports, the participant gains feedback on performance by either winning or losing against their competition. While competition brings out competitive spirit, it can hinder the development of self-confidence for those children who don’t win frequently. As karate is a non-competitive sport the only competitor is one’s self. Therefore, as a participant continues to improve each week, they only ever find themselves winning, which serves to bolster the child’s self-esteem.
Goals and Your Child

Karate offers a coloured belt system where all students start at White belt and work up through different colours (Yellow, Orange, Green, Blue, Red, Brown, Black Tip and finally, Black belt). This serves not only to measure a child’s progress but also provides a journey to embark on. Children are encouraged to set goals for these belts, which teaches them life skills of setting a target and working towards achieving it.
Instructor / Parent Relationship

Our goal is to help your child grow into a respectable and confident young individual. Almost all children behave in a disciplined and respectful manner inside the dojo, however once they put their karate uniform away, some may forget to practise the things they have been taught at home or at school. This is where the instructor / parent relationship can be a powerful tool. By regularly communicating with the instructor as to your child’s progress and behaviour at home or school, an instructor can better aim their message to your child.
Will My Child Misuse Karate?

While the predominant focus of karate is to develop character, students also learn basic self-defence skills. GKR instructors regularly promote that children MUST NOT misuse their karate under any circumstances. Should any child misuse their karate (either at home or at school), we ask the parents to notify us of this so together we can speak with the child about their behaviour.
Bullying And Karate

Bullying is a serious issue with children as the affects can last for years after it stops, even throughout their adulthood. Karate has proven exceedingly beneficial to children who are recipients of bullying and to those children who are bullies.

Karate helps a child who is bullied a number of ways. To begin with, most children who are bullied are shy and lack confidence. This makes them ‘easy targets’. As karate nurtures a child’s self-esteem and builds their confidence, the bullying often stops through this process alone. Instructors also train children how to deal with bullying and encourage them to speak about it to their schoolteachers and parents. Of course, some children are too shy to speak with their parents about bullying. The good news here is because karate deals with self-defence, children who are bullied often ask their instructor about how to deal with bullies. In this instance, the instructor can notify the parents of the child’s situation.

Some children who have had a tendency to bully other children may develop an interest in karate. Parents of these children may fear that the skills they learn in karate will only make their bullying worse. Nothing could be further from the truth. To begin with, bullying and low self-esteem go hand-in-hand; so as karate builds the child’s confidence and self-esteem, their interest in bullying others generally ceases. Secondly, being regularly reminded that their karate is ONLY to be used for self-defence and is something that can never be misused without risk of being suspended from training provides extra motivation to behave. Speaking with the instructor about the child’s habit helps the instructor to get the message across about the concerns with bullying.

You will find articles on ‘How to Deal With Bullying’ in the Articles section of this website.
Karate’s History And Children

When karate was first developed in Okinawa, its purpose was to teach children to become people of high character, with self-defence being a secondary focus. The character these children exhibited was so impressive, in 1902, karate was formally introduced into the Okinawa Primary School system so all Okinawa children would benefits from its teachings.

When karate moved to Japan in the 1920’s, within a few short years the Japanese Government were so impressed with the values it promoted, it too introduced karate into it’s education system. This still exists today where every school in Japan has karate as a subject all students must study.

Visit our Articles section and click on ‘Kids Articles’ to read a number of profiles from children who train in GKR Karate. You will also find a number of other topics that relate to young children or teenagers in this section.

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GKR Karate manages hundreds of dojos around the world with classes available for all ages and abilities. Your enquiry will be sent to your local senior instructor who will be in touch to arrange your trial and answer any other questions you may have.

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Why GKR Karate?

GKR creates the right environment for our members to train in. Although we promote self defence and fitness, our style also fosters positive values, confidence, discipline, focus and well being. GKR teaches you not only how to punch and kick, it teaches you to be a better person.

We encourage students of all ages, from all walks of life to join our club and be part of the supportive ‘family’ that is GKR Karate.

Self Defence

Synonymous with martial arts, self defence and inner self confidence are one of the key takeaways from regular training. From the age of 5 GKR teaches basic self defence and extraction moves, continuing right through to our senior grades.
Weight Loss

Karate is a great way to lose or maintain a healthy weight, with most classes consisting of aerobic, stretching and toning activities. For those who may not have exercised in some time, GKR provides a supportive environment where students can train at their own pace and physical ability. Our classes are a mixture of men, women and children of all ages.
Focus

Many parents are keen to see their children develop greater focus and discipline through their martial arts training, and GKR’s classes provide the perfect environment. Instructors teach in a respectful and supportive atmosphere through karate inspired games, activities and drills.

Family

GKR promotes a family environment, encouraging kids, parents and relatives to all train in the same class. Staying a few karate grades behind your children, will encourage them to continue a regular training program.
Respect

As a traditional Japanese martial arts, karate promotes respect to our instructors, our club, each other and most importantly ourselves. This is a key part of your learnings as a student of GKR karate.
Friendships

Although karate is considered a solo sport, it is still the foundation for many life long friendships. Classes include games and partner work where children and adults alike take the opportunity to learn about and bond with their fellow class mates.

Have a question or require further information? Contact us today.

About GKR

Karate for Kids

Karate is the ideal sport for kids for building self-confidence, balance, co-ordination, discipline and courtesy, while learning basic self-defence skills. The majority of our classes cater for children aged 5 years and up, however we also conduct classes for 3-4 year olds in selected venues.

Request a Free Trial Class

Why GKR Karate?

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