5 - 7 Year Olds
Snakes and Cranes
Our Mission Statement:
At Meridian Kung Fu, our goal is to provide the most comprehensive, age-specific martial arts training programs available. We are committed to establishing measurable results physically, intellectually, emotionally, and socially. We are also dedicated to providing every student with the most positive training atmosphere possible.
What does this mean for you?
Our systems were designed exclusively to meet stages of development. We have developed curriculums that will maximize training by matching physical, intellectual, emotional, and social stages. We have two specially designed programs for children, Little Snake and Cranes for 5-7 year olds then Junior Wing Chun aged 8 - 12 year olds.
How the programme works!
- Initially new recruits come along on a 4 week beginner's course.
- On completion children are able to join as a Little Snake and Crane and participate in regular weekly sessions.
- Each week the children learn a new technique and skill within their belt status.
- At the end of every school term the children are rewarded by belt a promotion. They receive a new colour belt and progress to the next stage of the programme.
- The programme runs over a two year period, on completion the children are fully equipped to move to the Junior Wing Chun Programme 8-12 year olds.
The Little Snake and Cranes programme
This program was specifically designed to target the stages of development of 5 - 7 year olds. The curriculum in the Snake and Cranes sessions follow years of research and development proven effective for this age group.
What is the Little Snake and Crane programme?
A fantastic martial arts training course that focuses on building 5 - 7 year olds capabilities; physically, emotionally, socially, and intellectually. We are confident in what our program can do for your child. Children this age are in a unique growth period in their life. They are refined in their gross motor skills, while establishing a foundation in basic fundamental skills. These basic fundamental skills include: focus, teamwork, control, balance, memory, discipline, fitness, and coordination. In any other sport of activity, all of these skills are important to have. The more exposure to proper development in each of these skills, the better your child will be.
The 8 fundamental skills selected for the programme were broken down into specific requirements that each student must tackle at every belt level. There are 7 belt levels in total, which means that your child will dramatically progress through all 8 skills whilst learning martial arts. This means your child will be sharper, more focused, and better developed physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially than a child who does not participate in a program strategically designed like the Little Snake and Crane programme.
Here are the 8 fundamental skills in order:
- Focus
- Teamwork
- Control
- Balance
- Memory
- Discipline
- Fitness
- Coordination
The following section will provide you with a comprehensive breakdown of each valuable skill and what your child will learn and develop throughout the entire program whilst developing their martial arts enjoyment.
Skill Breakdown Section
Focus
The purpose of the focus in the curriculum is to teach the child how to focus with their mind and body. The beginner level introduces the child to the basic concept of keeping their eyes on the target. The intermediate level takes their skills a little further by having the child focus not only on the target, but on their technique of each kick and strike. The advanced level further enhances the child's focus skills by having the child execute techniques where the child takes his/ her eyes off of the target for a second and then requiring the same focus on technique
Teamwork
The purpose of the teamwork in the curriculum is to teach the child how to cooperate with others on various tasks. The beginner level introduces the child to good working habits with other people. The intermediate level introduces the child how to perform with a team. The advanced level teaches the child how to train with others while following the rules and maintaining good sportsmanship.
Control
The purpose of the control in the curriculum is to teach the child how to have control of their mind and body. The beginner level introduces the child to having control of their mind and body by responding to quickly to commands while in motion. The intermediate level introduces the child to having control of their body when they are kicking and punching towards each other. The advance level teaches the child how to have control of their strength when practicing their self-defence techniques.
Balance
The purpose of the balance in the curriculum is to help the child master the skill of balance through increments of balance training that increases in intensity at each belt level. The beginner level introduces the child to the components of balance and how to have balance using various kicks. The intermediate level increases in repetitions of each kick by double the amount from the beginner level. The advance level challenges the students balance skills by making them do 10x the balance requirements then that of the beginners.
Memory
The purpose of the memory in the curriculum is to get the child familiar with remembering the basic martial arts techniques and how perform the techniques appropriately. The beginner level introduces the child to the names and mechanics of the basic strikes, blocks, kicks, and stances. The intermediate level begins to test the child's memory by requiring the child to perform random combinations. The advanced level challenges the child's memory by requiring the child to perform a structured combination of martial arts techniques known as a form.
Discipline
The purpose of the discipline in the curriculum is to positively reinforce the importance of following rules, maintaining good behaviour, and performing at high standards. The beginner level introduces the child to basic commands and how to respond to those commands with good discipline. The intermediate level teaches the child how to maintain good discipline without being distracted. The advanced level curriculum challenges the child to perform at high standards by displaying discipline of the mind and body.
Fitness
The purpose of the fitness in the curriculum is to expose the child to exercises and activities that build strength and cardiovascular endurance. The beginner level teaches the child how to run through basic exercise routines with the appropriate technique. The intermediate level exposes the child to intensity in their exercises. The advanced level challenges the child to demonstrate advance muscular strength and endurance in their regular exercises.
Coordination
The purpose of the coordination in the curriculum is to teach the child their left from right and how to perform multiple physical tasks while maintaining good technique. The beginner level introduces the student to basic coordination of jumping and moving in rhythm. The intermediate level teaches the child how to perform various combinations using both their left and right hands and feet. The advanced level challenges the child to perform various techniques without loosing coordination.
If you cant find the information you are looking for, please feel free to call us on 01702 391998 or drop us an email at info@meridiankungfu.com.
