5-7 Year Olds Programmes
At Meridian Kung Fu, our goal is to provide the most comprehensive, age-specific martial arts training programmes 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 specially designed programmes for children: Little Snake and Cranes Programme © for 5-7 year olds and Junior Wing Chun© aged 8-17 year olds, with teenagers training in their own sessions.
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 member 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 set period, on completion the children are fully equipped to move to the next age specific programme.
The Little Snake and Cranes programme
This programme is 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 which is proven effective for this age group.
Our programme is also designed to help combat and avoid bullying by teaching students how to defend themselves. Each month students are taught two new, age-appropriate and specific techniques that will develop their confidence and build solid defence skills. By the end of a year, the children are in an incredible position to be able to defend themselves proficiently in many situations.
What is the Little Snake and Crane programme?
A fantastic martial arts training course that focuses on building the capabilities of 5-7 year olds physically, emotionally, socially, and intellectually. Children of this age are in a unique growth period in their life. They are refined in their gross motor skills and are establishing the basics of fundamental life skills. These include: focus, teamwork, control, balance, memory, discipline, fitness, and coordination.
The fundamental skills selected for the programme are broken down into specific requirements that each student must tackle at every belt level. There are 7 belt levels in total, and your child will dramatically progress through all levels using these 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 structured programme.
Here are the fundamental skills in order
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 programme whilst developing their martial arts enjoyment.
Focus
The purpose of 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 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 to working in 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 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 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 practising their self-defence techniques.
Balance
The purpose of 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 student’s balance skills by making them do 10x the balance requirements than that of the beginners.
Memory
The purpose of memory in the curriculum is to get the child familiar with remembering the basic martial arts techniques and how to 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 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 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 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 losing coordination.
