Got Skillz?

Introducing the Internationally Acclaimed
Early SKILLZ Program!

Three to four year olds love physical activity and anything involving play. They have a rich imagination and strong desire to be less dependent on their usual caregivers. The problem we discov- ered is that many children this age have a hard time with structure in a group environment like what is commonly found in most Martial Arts schools. The solution we found is to provide them with their own program that targets their stage of development in a manner that keeps them entertained while at the same time building skills that set them up for success. With that said, a structured program introducing early skill-based training in Martial Arts has proven to be very successful.

By understanding the stages of development of 3 & 4 year olds,
we were able to select 8 age-appropriate skills that make up the Early SKILLZ Program:

Kicking

Hopping

Punching

Rolling

BLOCKING

Running

CRAWLING

catching

We cover one of the above skills per class (in order). During each class we run a warm-up; deliver a mat chat about the skill; run two or three skill-building drills; and then we have them demonstrate the skill to earn their skill-stripe. They must earn all 8 skill-stripes in order to graduate to the next belt level. Once they earn their next belt they will continue to run through all 8 skills earning their skill-stripes with more challenging curriculum as they advance to each rank. They graduate to the Basic SKILLZ program after they have successfully completed all 9 belt ranks of the Early SKILLZ program.

Here is an example of what a white belt must demonstrate for each of the 8 skills above in order to earn their next belt:

Kicking

Front kicking in the air, alternating legs. They must be able to execute ten kicks in a row alternating legs in order to pass.
SKILLZ punching stripe

Punching

Straight punching in the air, alternating arms. They must be able to execute ten punches in a row alter- nating arms in order to pass.

BLOCKING

High blocking in the air, alternating arms. They must be able to execute ten high blocks in a row alternating arms in order to pass.
SKILLZ crawling stripe

CRAWLING

Bear crawling across the mat. They must be able to bear crawl up and down the floor without their knees or elbows touching the mat in order to pass.
SKILLZ hopping stripe

HOPPING

Hopping down the floor with both feet. They must be able to hop down the mat with both feet togeth- er, and without falling, five times in a row in order to pass.
SKILLZ rolling stripe

ROLLING

Rolling a ball down the floor. They must be able to roll a ball down the floor while alternating hands, and keeping at least one hand on the ball at all times, in order to pass.
SKILLZ running stripe

RUNNING

Running down the floor. They must be able to run down the floor as fast as possible without falling in order to pass.

CATCHING

Catching a ball thrown underhand from one step away. They must be able to catch a ball five times in a row in order to pass.
As you can see we take Martial Arts training to a whole new level! We use early elements of traditional Martial Arts curriculums to build skills that are appropriate for 3 and 4 year olds. This means that your child will learn and grow at a pace that is not too easy, nor too challenging. The best part is the Early SKILLZ program will equip your child with skills that they will utilize in every area of their life!

Come See for Yourself the Difference We Can Make!

Come see for yourself how the Early SKILLZ™ Programs can make a difference in your child’s life by contacting us today!
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