My sempai Serge Holtgrefe (shodan) and I teach children's class every week. We have a group of twelve kids between 8 and 12 years old. We, like Peter Bernath, also started (almost two years ago now) with the idea that we had to put a lot of games in to make Aikido class more entertaining and keep them focused. But instead, we now also teach more like in the adult class and it is even better.

At the beginning of class we give some short explanation about a certain topic, like being awake (alert) and we discuss with the children why this could be an important skill.

We also take time for meditation and visualisation techniques. We have a plastic frog by the name of Freddy-the-Aikido-frog that sits in a certain way like it is ready to leap. We let the children watch it for a while and then close their eyes but still see the frog within. We then take the frog away and after some time ask the children to open their eyes and imitate the way Freddy sat. Then we put the frog back into the circle and give them a re-check. Later on we repeat this exercise with hanmi positions or even moving techniques.

What we think is difficult sometimes is the forward roll for instance. Almost all the kids roll over the side of their backs and imitate this from each other. We have put much effort into making them roll over their arm and shoulder but somehow they cling to what feels best and safest. In December we have examinations and somehow we would like to improve this part. Maybe somebody has a hint for us....?

The kids love all the stuff we do during the warm-up exercises and put a lot of effort into it.

I live in a small community (an island actually) and I have been running kids classes now for 8 years. I teach traditional Aikido in a traditional manner (just like adults classes). I don't have too many problems with discipline (the kids tend to keep themselves in order), and I find that the attitude in classes is very similar to that of the adult classes.

My biggest suggestion for people just starting a kids program is to be consistant. Don't vary from the way you begin and end classes - kids like to know what is expected from them - and depend on us to maintain it! Once you establish a core of "sempai's" the rest becomes easy.

I use a colored belt system and find that it has its rewards. I have a few kids that successfully made the transition from kids classes to adults classes, and I find that they are extremely helpful (and non-threatening) to adults. I usually try to encourage them to join the adults classes around the age of thirteen. This is because most thirteen year olds are the size of a small woman (and in some cases too large to be in a kids class anymore). I find that the adults are surprised that they can actually do Aikido (in some cases better than the adults),safely and effectively.

Probably my biggest problem deals with the parents - they tend to be less consistant than me (getting the kids to class regularly and on time), and of course there is ALWAYS the loss of a child due to "organized sports".

I do allow the kids to have about 5 minutes of free time on the matt PRIOR to class - this gives them time to "be kids" and get there own ya-ya's out. They make up their own games (usually some form of tag) and I find that they use their ukemi skills to avoid each other! Hmmm, seems like Aikido to me...

Children's programs are very important, and it is a great topic for discussion. I wish I could be young again to take Aikido as a child and a teen. The cooperative interaction would be very helpful in learning how to get along socially with other children. This is what I consider to be the most important reason for teaching Aikido to children: to help them learn how to be nice to one another. For this reason, we do not use colored belts in our childrens classes. We test them, give them certificates and a name tag on our wall as their reward. On the mat, they are equals. Colored belts are not used in adult classes to keep the ego from getting in the way of our training and I believe that kids need the same treatment.

Regarding games, we play games that incorporate various aspects of Aikido like a variation of touch football in shikko, Aikido ping pong in which students practice forward and back rolls in groups (students take turns being the ball)

In his article, Peter mentioned the importance of having adults join the childrens class. We have classes a few times a year in which both adults and children practice together and share a pot-luck afterwards. The kids really love it and the adults have fun too.

I taught kids' class for a couple of years about 10 years ago, so take my experience with however much salt you like...

I absolutely dreaded going to the classes. I would try to come up with excuses why I couldn't teach but eventually I would find myself in front of the class. And, inevitably, we all had a great time. I taught about 70% Aikido, 30% games or activities that incorporated some physical education, martial or just fun material. It was always a stretch to come up with something new every class and though I hated that "stretching", the result was almost always fun and/or interesting.

I have some concerns about Aikido's effect on some kids. One girl stopped when she got older because, apparently, some kids goaded her into showing them Aikido and they "showed her" it didn't work. She lost faith in it and we couldnt' get her to return. I also have concerns that some of the stretching (especially the wrist stretches) are not too good for kids with their developing bones, muscles, and ligaments.

Of the 30-40 kids I've seen taught Aikido, only one has stuck with it into her twenties. I would be interested to know what the percentage is of children who stay with the art for any length of time.

I have been assisting Bookman Sensei in the kids' classes at our dojo for about 2 years now. We have probably 80-100 children total and offer 7 classes per week, 8 counting the teen class.

They get to play and socialize on the mat both before and after class for at least 15 minutes, longer depending on the schedule. Then, we ring the bell, bow in and get started with our meditation practice. We do an extesive yoga warm up before ukemi and shikko practice. After this comes technique practice. We do all pins but Sensei teaches them to tap out before anything hurts. He makes them wait until brown belt for weapons. There are always 2-4 adult helpers in addition to Sensei so he is able to break us down into different groups of similar ranks.

Up to here, it's just like adult class. We do colored belt ranking for the kids, unlike the adults, and they can test whenever Sensei decides they are ready. At the moment, we have some spectacular 11 year old girls who are preparing for their "skunk rank", junior black belts. We also have many graduates from the children's program, including a 16 year old shodan who should have no trouble passing his nidan test in March. These are all federation requirement tests, not watered down versions. Not everyone passes, either.

The last 10-20 minutes of the one hour class is often Aikido related games. Irimi- tenkan tag, dungeons, steal the tanto, shikko ball tag, obstacle course or jiujitsu games to name a few. Everyone, including the teachers, ends up flushed, sweaty and happy, just like the grown ups! After we bow out, all "heck" breaks loose as the kids fly around the mat, chasing, pinning evading each other in a real life freestyle, while O-Sensei watches from the Kamiza.

As a 7th year middle/high school teacher/assistant principal designee, I have found that teaching children Aikido is like teaching children school subject areas. First and foremost is classroom management--in order to get children to learn, you must let them know who runs the class. Second, if you enjoy what you teach, it shows in your instruction, which, directly affects childrens' learning--if they see you having fun, they, in turn, will have fun.

Like any teaching method, breaking the content down to the simplest form is one of the best ways to teach. If you can relate teaching to something they know and understand (e.g. relating the forward roll to a bicycle--the back leg is your kickstand, your arms make up the wheel--push off your kickstand, tuck your chin to your chest, and roll the wheel on the mat and let your body go over the wheel), then they can piece it together. Children learn at their own level and at their own paces--you cannot expect a child to learn at your rate.

Also, positive reinforcement, such as complimenting a child in front of the class, allows the child to feel really good about him/herself. Do not embarrass a child in front of the class or you will undo all that you are struggling to teach. Use a variety of techniques, allow the child to self-explore the movement, provide guidance and direction whenever necessary, and play lots of games (shikko dodge ball, ukemi relay races, bumpers, which teaches balance, "sensei says," etc.)

Teaching Aikido to children is a very difficult but rewarding experience for both the children and instructor.

Children need to learn and develop the proper philosophies and fundamentals of the art, but in a very playful and still challenging environment.

I find incorporating certain games and exercises into the basic training of Aikido is an excellent way to teach kids.

In our dojo we of course instruct in the basics of the art, ikkyo, iriminage and various kokyunages etc., but also a variety of games that enhance coordination, endurance, strength and flexibility. Kids love to play games such as relay races (shikko, crab walking, ukemi etc.), dodge ball, "sensei" says (Simon says), ukemi games, and rolling over the other kids (so that they all get involved in the activities). Finding the right games can be challenging, but you need to ask yourself, "What will the kids gain from this game and what is the point or purpose of it?" Is it just to take up some time or are the kids learning something useful in it? Games should incorporate activities that help to develop some sort of physical or mental skills. Balance, coordination, concentration, strength, muscular endurance, etc. are just some of the benefits a game or activity should provide.

Kids are also taught how to move and control their bodies. Hanmi, ukemi and especially Aikido movements (getting off the line of attack) such as irimi, tenkan and tenshin are particularly drilled upon. There are a variety of games that can be used with these movements, like swinging a bokken (shomenuchi) or tsuki at the children and having them move off the line of attack in various ways and at different speeds. This also helps teach the kids to not be afraid of a scary force coming at them and to stay centered and balanced.

Additionally, explaining the history of Aikido and the background of important figures in Aikido can be very educational. Games can be based on questions like "who can name the pictures on the wall?", "what did they do?", "what does the scroll on the shrine say?", "name the weapons?", "how do you count in Japanese?". There are a multitude of things that can educate and help the kids on and off the mat.

We have simulated games where strangers might approach the kids and/or reach out to grab their wrist, shoulder etc. and teach kids how to get away and run. A similar game can involve interacting with kids or "bullies" in the playground. This is especially helpful to those kids that are shy or have very low self-esteem, or kids that might be bullied around at school.

The instructor really needs to keep an eye on the children to make sure not only that they are doing things correctly but also safely, so as not to hurt themselves or each other. Instructors also have to remember that kids (and even some adults) have short attention spans. So you must keep the pace "moving along" to keep everyone's attention. Having a high ratio of adult members to kids to assist in the class if possible is also helpful to both the kids and the instructor.

As we all know. Aikido is wonderful art, particularly for children. However, it takes a lot of patience and creativity on the part of the instructor to make a children's Aikido class effective and successful.

Children And Aikido
by Mutsuko Minegishi
Chief Instructor, Guam Aikikai

Big adults and small children face each other and say," Onegaishimasu, (Please practice with me)"with a formal Japanese bow on the knees. Immediately afterwards, by saying or raising their hands, "Let me do the first technique." , "Next will be my turn. ", children fight for the chance to do a demonstration of the technique. Three-year-old children bow to 6th and 5th degree black belt male visitors without any hesitation.

Children, a half size of the partners, bring them down or throw them to the floor. This was how the practice went for the youngest children's class of Saipan Aikikai with the 10 visitors from Takatsuki City Aikido Federation in Japan. The visitors were all surprised and amazed by the brave attitude and the quality techniques of the children.

At the beginning when children are first brought in the dojo, many of them under 3 or 4 years old hide away behind the parents, and they start crying or rush back to the safe arms of the parents as soon as they are separated from them to join the class. Some can emerge immediately to the group, but many take even from a few weeks to a few months before they feel comfortable to be among their peers. Slowly but surely, they learn how to become a part of the group and make friends with each other.

The first exposure to a new society outside their family is a very nervous moment. Children's growth is amazing, however. From the time when they do not even speak intelligibly, they already show their unique personalities and express themselves very well. We always hear that a personality is established by the age three. By watching them in class, I'm convinced that children should be exposed to some physical and mental training as soon as they start walking.

After kindergarten or school, Aikido children rush to the dojo. The first arrival is supposed to be the leader for the day. However, if he/she is late for class, he/she looses the leader's position. Somehow, many children want to become leaders, and they become serious about promotions. They all know that color belts are not given but they have to earn them by attending classes regularly and by demonstrating the required techniques in front of all the students. "Mokusoo", "Mokusoo yame", "Rei", and "Onegaishimasu.". Children must learn important words in Japanese as well as the names of all the techniques to be promoted and to become leaders.

Aikido is definitely helpful to discipline children. At the entrance to the room, they bow and say hello. They change to the uniform, take off their shoes and line them up off the mats facing their toes out. They rinse a towel and wipe their feet. They step on the mats and sit down facing the picture of the founder and bow in on their knees. From the moment to come in to the vastly matted floor, their minds are freed and excited to run around the open space. They are just like fish released into fresh water, and they play together joyfully until the formal class begins. They can make noise or wrestle or do anything as long as they do not hurt each other intentionally. If something happens, they learn how to apologize to each other. "Line up" is the sign for them to stop playing, and they sit down in order quietly to prepare for practice.

Introverted children begin opening themselves. Mischievous ones learn how to make friends. Selfish ones learn very soon that they do not make friends unless they change their behavior. Once in a while we play with sumo wrestling for competition. Competitive children cry if they loose, and they don't seem to like competitions. As soon as they go back to Aikido which does not do any competitions, their smiles come back.

I treat small children exactly the same way as youth and adults. I never change the tone of voice or the language. The same techniques are practiced and the testing requirements are also the same as others. Children are capable of learning as well as adults. At times, children show much faster improvement because they do not fear or have egotistical minds in addition to their flexible bodies. They are so close to the ground that they roll back and forth just like balls. When they see adults doing the same techniques, they are so proud of themselves because they can also do the same.

The children's growth is very fast. Some grow gradually, but some all of a sudden wake up and join in the crowd. Some parents get angry, frustrated or embarrassed to see that their own children are crying or playing, but it is a natural procedure for any child when first exposed to a new environment. We instructors try to do everything possible to reach out for such children with our utmost patience. Since there is no competition in Aikido, children can concentrate on mastering techniques on their own speed and capability. Every one is the winner in Aikido.

Children are energetic and able to learn everything fast. As their own nature, they learn Aikido movements as soon as they learn how to play soccer. But they need first of all to know how to keep discipline. Its a part of their fight against themselves (against their fears and inside-targets), and very important to adults too.

One thing I have found helps kids to roll properly is to get a large ball (about 2 ft in diameter) and get them to hold it when they breakfall. They wrap their arm around the ball and put their ear against it. Then they do a forward breakfall while holding the ball, and roll over it.