As 20 young keen Karateka juniors arrived I suddenly thought what am I doing letting 20 kids have 5ft wooden poles to play with. Would it be realistic to think that they would not be tempted to bash one and other with them? Well after taking the roll call I laid down the law stating that if any one person hit or touched another person, in fun or enthusiasm, they would take no further part in the course. I am pleased to say they were all a credit to Karate and the way that it can teach children discipline and correct sociable behaviour.
Making sure that they all had plenty of space we proceeded to start our Kata which was loosely based on Kushanku. After the first four moves we stopped to make sure we were all working to the same plan. Some of the little ones (7yrs of age) were brilliant in their effort and concentration. We then split into two groups with Alexander Lawrenson, 1st Dan, taking the count for the older juniors and myself checking on the progress of the small ones. Lucia Halford, 4th Kyu, was put in charge of the smaller ones taking the count for them and she done a good job keeping them all in time.
Once everyone had mastered this we moved on further into the Kata which involved some tricky turns and changes of direction. Again we stopped and split the group up and let everyone practice. I went around the groups explaining the finer points making sure the correct stances were being performed then showing the applications of each move which went down well and helped them to understand why they were doing the moves in a particular way. After the first hour we stopped for a drinks break then I got the brown and black belts to perform the Kata as far as they had been shown which they all did very well. Then it was the blue belts, then green and then orange - again they were brilliant, each one putting their best effort into getting the correct moves and stances.
We then split up the group as before Alexanders group were then shown more of the Kata and then told to practice which they did I then went and helped the one or two little ones who were struggling a bit showing them where they had gone wrong.
The great thing about teaching children is that they respond really well to your teaching. They like to know new things, especially when you take the time and effort to help them all and not just the quicker ones. Again I must say they soon picked up and carried on working on each move which made it all worth while.
Toward the end of the Kata there were a few complicated hand changing movements which some of the little ones got a bit anxious about, but I just stopped them and we went over it again and again until most of them grasped it. I said that they should never worry about making mistakes as that is what learning is all about and as long as you can correct them you will have gained more knowledge.
After two hours that went pretty quickly, with everyone one in one piece and no nonsense or messing around, they had all worked very hard and were performing the Kata well. In some cases, very well. We then got each grade up to show what they could do and it was gratifying to see just how well they had grasped it, even the very small ones who had struggled earlier were now strutting their stuff and showed great confidence for their age.
I would like to thank both Alexander and Lucia for their help & assistance and Dorothy Tatapudi who came along and took the photos (she wanted to join in really). Its nice have some help and to say well done to all of the children who took part.
Keep practicing as there will be more Bo courses in the future.
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