Karate & Children With Poor Gross Motor Skills

[summerrluvv]

Anyone sign their children up that have poor gross motor? I hear karate helps with ADHD and DS "could" possibly be ADHD (have an appt. in July). Not to mention he's always asking me to sign him up. I'm just concerned that he won't grasp all stiff moves and the instructor would get annoyed by it. Also, how much does it run in your area? One place around me is $100 a month and I'm not sure if that's about the ballpark price of everywhere. TIA

 

[Bob Slydell]

DS is in tae kwon do, and they are very understanding and helpful, especially with the younger ages. I wouldn't worry about DS not being able to do the moves perfectly -- they don't expect perfection, just trying your very best.

Oh, and DS' TKD class is around the same price as yours -- I think we pay $95 a month.

 

[mickeyboat]

My daughter's pre-K teacher has a son with gross motor developmental delays. His therapist recommended gymnastics and horseback riding. Her son was in the same gymnastics class with my girls and I saw remarkable improvement in just three sessions. The classes also helped with focus - listening to instructions, following directions, standing in line, waiting your turn, etc.

Denae

 

[summerrluvv]

My daughter's pre-K teacher has a son with gross motor developmental delays. His therapist recommended gymnastics and horseback riding. Her son was in the same gymnastics class with my girls and I saw remarkable improvement in just three sessions. The classes also helped with focus - listening to instructions, following directions, standing in line, waiting your turn, etc.

Denae

We did the gymnastic thing for 2 years, he was getting bored with it and he's at the age now where he can follow directions, etc. Thanks for your suggestion though

 

[r3ngels]

Anyone sign their children up that have poor gross motor? I hear karate helps with ADHD and DS "could" possibly be ADHD (have an appt. in July). Not to mention he's always asking me to sign him up. I'm just concerned that he won't grasp all stiff moves and the instructor would get annoyed by it. Also, how much does it run in your area? One place around me is $100 a month and I'm not sure if that's about the ballpark price of everywhere. TIA

That's interesting my dd has ADHD and has asked to try Karate... we'll have to give it a shot... THANKS

 

[Rajah]

Just talk to the instructors. Some academies / schools out there work very well with kids in your situation. Just make sure to meet with the main instructor first and get a feel for how they'll deal with your son.

I'm in Tae Kwon Do as well, and there are several kids at our school with ADD/ADHD/etc and we have been able to see progress in them.

 

[summerrluvv]

Cool, I think we'll try it. A place near me offers a free class, then a free month if you sign up.

 

[mousefansmom]

I am a pediatric rehab director- I have seen wonderful results with martial arts, especially with younger children. My son has had great success as well (post TBI), it improved his balance, strength and most of all his confidence. If your child does have ADHD, I think martial arts can be a great outlet for some of the energy that goes along with that. If nothing else, it is a great way to instill an exercise routine. The drawback for us is that it is year-round with no major breaks. Because children with ADHD can become bored easily, sign up for the shortest sessions you can- that way you can take breaks for a semester here and there if needed

Oh, and we have spent approx. $7000 over the last four years (and are paid up for two more, so that averages to $97/mo.

Good Luck

Cool, I think we'll try it. A place near me offers a free class, then a free month if you sign up.

 

[aprilgail2]

My daughter was a premmie and was born with dislocated hips. She has been behind in her gross motor skills since she was born. She could not hop at 4 years old! She has been in taekwondo for almost 2 years now and is right on target now. I believe it helped her not only in her gross motor skills but she was so shy and clingy and now she is more outgoing and willing to try things without me! She was in a tournament on Sunday and went out there and was so happy trying her hardest to do well. At her age every kid gets a trophy for something but they don't know that! In Jan we are actually flying to Vegas for a tournament!

 

[Lezah]

My DS10 has problems with gross motor skills (getting better now that he is getting older TG) and he improved immensely with karate. The pediatrician recommended that he not be involved with team type sports because of the comparision between players that is done (both by players and parents!). She suggested karate, swimming, skiing, etc. We put him into karate and his gross motor skill really improved over time. You really need to research th dojo out carefully though and make sure that the instructors will take the time with the kids and understand the problems of a child with gross motor skill problems. Often times it is hard to see it unless things are explained in advance. LIke exactly how the problems manifest themselves, be it a balance type problem or whatever. We were lucky in that we were close friends with one of the head instructors at our dojo and he understood and knew our son really well. So that made our DS feel comfortable and also enabled him to fit in well too. He got no special treatment, but he (and all the other kids in the dojo too) were able to progress at their own rates. HTH!! Good luck!

 

[summerrluvv]

My DS10 has problems with gross motor skills (getting better now that he is getting older TG) and he improved immensely with karate. The pediatrician recommended that he not be involved with team type sports because of the comparision between players that is done (both by players and parents!). She suggested karate, swimming, skiing, etc. We put him into karate and his gross motor skill really improved over time. You really need to research th dojo out carefully though and make sure that the instructors will take the time with the kids and understand the problems of a child with gross motor skill problems. Often times it is hard to see it unless things are explained in advance. LIke exactly how the problems manifest themselves, be it a balance type problem or whatever. We were lucky in that we were close friends with one of the head instructors at our dojo and he understood and knew our son really well. So that made our DS feel comfortable and also enabled him to fit in well too. He got no special treatment, but he (and all the other kids in the dojo too) were able to progress at their own rates. HTH!! Good luck!

Thanks for all the replies

Boy are you right about the comparison thing with team sports. He is in Soccer right now and I find myself comparing him to the rest of the kids on the team and I feel bad because I also find myself getting frustrated that he can't play like the rest of them. I have to remind myself that he's six, and never done this before (unlike the rest of the kids on the team). I think we will start the karate when soccer is over. I want to research a few places before we just go sign up somewhere though.

 

[robyn323]

Our 7yr old ds has been in Karate for about 8 months now and has moved up to a orange belt. And he loves it. He doesn't like to play soccer our baseball but really likes this. And it has taught him to have patience and control. We enrolled him thru our recreation district and it only costs 18.00 every 6 weeks through them. And his instructor is really great with the kids.

 

[AKQJ10]

Anyone sign their children up that have poor gross motor? I hear karate helps with ADHD and DS "could" possibly be ADHD (have an appt. in July). Not to mention he's always asking me to sign him up. I'm just concerned that he won't grasp all stiff moves and the instructor would get annoyed by it. Also, how much does it run in your area? One place around me is $100 a month and I'm not sure if that's about the ballpark price of everywhere. TIA

I have taken Karate and TKD for a number of years, and I know that there are children in the youth class who have had issues with motor skills, etc.

My instructor and the other black belts take extra care to assist these students in developing these skills, and I have seen a marked improvement with them over the past few years. Additionally, it allows them to particopate in a sport (unlike "team" sports such as soccer, etc.), where their developmental limitations might prohibit them from participating in the same type of manner. It also helps to develop a sense of accomplishment, comfidence and self-esteem.

As for price, around $100 a month is right on target (I'm in NJ), but choose your school carefully, and see if you can even take one or two lessons on a trial basis.

Best of luck, please let me know if I can be of any further assistance.

 

[Christine]

My son has ADHD and has been in TKD for 3 months now. He just got his yellow belt!!

My son dislikes all sports because of the competiveness factor, the bullying coaches he's experienced, and worry of his performance. I was very worried he would not like the TKD. It took about a month but he really warmed up to it and he is like a different kid now (in class). MUCH more confidence with his physical self.

I will say that the instructors have a much better attitude than most of the sports coaches we came in contact with. They are very accepting of all body types, fitness levels, abilities, etc. They make everyone feel good. Best of all, if your son's skills aren't great, he won't be made to feel like he is holding anyone back. It's all at his own pace.

We entered into a one year contract and it is $88 per month. If I had done a 3-year contract it would have be $78 per month. I couldn't risk that. We can go pretty much whenever we want, however many times a week.

 

[mousefansmom]

Great point AKQ-
Choose your school carefully. They can vary greatly, as can the attitude and patience of the instructors.

Mousefansmom

As for price, around $100 a month is right on target (I'm in NJ), but choose your school carefully, and see if you can even take one or two lessons on a trial basis.
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