by Penny Bernath, 6th Dan, Shidoin
Florida Aikikai is very pleased to announce a new free online infomercial that explains in a 5-minute virtual field trip the educational benefits of Aikido for children. We encourage dojos to link http:www.KidVisionVPK.org to their website and use it to explain in detail and demonstration the direct connection between education standards and learning in aikido classes.
KidVisionVPK (Virtual PreKindergarten) is an educational website used to teach education standards. Users complete a free and easy registration. Then, to find the Aikido Dojo field trip, click on Virtual Field Trips and locate the Aikido Dojo field trip. There are many interesting field trips to choose from. Watch and learn. There are even lesson plans and take home pages to make learning more personal.
Penny Bernath is the Education Content Producer and creator of KidVisionVPK.org. The free website serves the early childhood community as a professional development destination for prekindergarten teachers to help them learn and teach the State of Florida Prekindergarten Education Standards. The purpose of these standards is that children will be prepared with necessary knowledge and skills to begin learning at the kindergarten level. The website is valuable to all adults that are interested in the connection between real experiences and the education standards. Penny has a master’s degree in prekindergarten/ primary education and KidVisionVPK is her doctorate dissertation in instructional leadership.
Penny is a 6th degree black belt and a United States Aikido Federation Shidoin. She serves on the USAF Board of Governors. Penny owns and operates Florida Aikikai with her husband, Peter Bernath, 7th dan, Shihan and United States Aikido Federation Technical Committee member. Florida Aikikai hosts the Aikido Florida Winter Seminar in Ft. Lauderdale; it is the largest annual weekend seminar in the United States.
Penny takes her virtual class on a field trip to Florida Aikikai. There she and Peter explain and demonstrate the benefits of Aikido with 42 children in their kid’s class! Aikido is a great physical fitness activity, promotes social and emotional development, exposes children to the Japanese culture, and encourages motor development.
KidVisionVPK.org is an innovative educational website. Technology now allows us to share information in interesting new ways. Florida Aikikai was happy to host a virtual field trip and now to offer the learning segment free of change to the general Aikido public.