What are the Mighty Samurai and Elite Samurai programs?

The Mighty Samurai and Elite Samurai programs are continuing education for older kids. If your child is new to martial arts, this is also a great place to start for the older child. In Mighty Samurai and Elite Samurai, children continue to learn valuable life lessons appropriate to their age group. Because their physical coordination is developing, they are able to enjoy more extensive and complicated drills.

Why should I enroll my child in Mighty Samurai or Elite Samurai?

The advantages of this program are endless. For starters it builds confidence, commitment and coordination. It will improve your child's memory, provide fitness education, develop leadership skills and build long-lasting friendships. But the best part of the program is that IT'S FUN!

What is special about a martial arts course for children?

Children have different needs than adults do. Children need to be taught in a manner that builds their self-image and teaches them patience, focus, self-discipline, and many other qualities that will help them become functional, successful adults. Some schools offer children a watered-down version of the same skills their 20-year-old students are learning. Children don’t respond to this approach.

(Source: NAPMA Children's Curriculum)

What are the benefits of martial arts education for my child?

Learning martial arts offers a huge number of benefits for a child in the development of mental, physical, and social skills. Some of these benefits are:

Confidence
Physical motor skill development
Positive social interaction
Reinforcement of strong morals and values
Character development

(Source: Shuman Concepts Online Journal)

What will my child learn as a Might Samurai or Elite Samurai?

Throughout your child's Samurai training, he or she will learn valuable life skills. Children will learn about how to handle themselves in emergencies as well as daily situations. They will learn about supporting one another, being aware of their environment, and controlling their bodies while they learn martial arts techniques.

Mighty Samurai (ages 7-8) learn basic strikes, blocks and kicks, as well as falls, rolls and escapes that are part of American Jiu Jitsu's traditional curriculum. Each week's lessons are taught through games & drills that revolve around one of the 8 advanced fundamental skills for Mighty Samurai:

1. Concentration
2. Perseverance
3. Courage
4. Intensity
5. Speed
6. Agility
7. Technique
8. Flexibility

Elite Samurai (ages 9-12) follow the traditional curriculum of American Jiu Jitsu, taught at a pace that is appropriate for their age. The 6 areas of Martial Arts Development for Elite Samurai:

1. Traditional Material/Self Defense
2. Leadership
3. Dynamic Performance
4. Organization
5. Physical Development
6. Mental Development

How big are the Mighty Samurai and Elite Samurai classes?

Each class is limited to a maximum of 12 students. This is just the right size for your child to get the personal attention that he or she needs from the instructor.

Since class space is limited, you won't want to miss out - sign up now!

Which class will my child be placed in?

Children learn best when they learn with other children their own age, so we will place your child in a class according to his or her age group:

Mighty Samurai: 7-8 year-olds
Elite Samurai: 9-12 year-olds

(For younger kids, see the Mini Samurai and Little Samurai FAQ.)

Why are the classes arranged by age group?

Children have specific characteristics that are consistent with other children in their age group, or stage of development. Physically, mentally, socially, and intellectually, each stage varies in capabilities from the others.

For example, 7- and 8-year-olds have a lot of pride. They like games that require taking turns and observing, so they can evaluate and support their peers. They can concentrate on tasks and learn at a rapid rate. 9-12 year olds are more self-conscious about their social presence, and they make and lose friends easily. They have the intellectual capacity to take in a mass amount of information, although they don't like to memorize a dramatic amount of material. They are very impulsive in their attitudes and emotions, but have the maturity to develop determination if it is rationally explained to them.

Some schools group 7-12 year olds in one class. But if children at different stages of development take a class together, the older students will get bored, and they will want to move immediately to something more challenging if they see that the younger students can do something they can do. At the same time, since they older students can do more, the younger students will become frustrated and want to quit.

(Source: Shuman Concepts Online Journal)

What if my child has studied a martial art before?

If your child has trained in a martial art before, please speak to an instructor. We will be happy to assess his or her previous experience and help you select an appropriate class according to skill, age, and developmental level. It is our goal to help your child get the greatest possible benefit out of the class.

Who are the Samurai instructors?

A martial arts instructor is not just a teacher. He or she is also a role model and a hero - someone that your child will look up to.

Please click here to view the bio for our Young Samurai Instructors.

How often do the classes meet?

Classes are available for each age group 3 days a week. Alll Young Samurai are welcome to come all three days. We recommend the following as a minimum:

Mighty Samurai (7-8 year-olds): 2 classes per week minimum
Elite Samurai (9-12 year-olds): 3 classes per week minimum

The older students participate in three classes per week. That gives them a larger variety of drills and more practice on their skills.

However, if you are unable to bring your child to 2 or 3 classes per week, we have an arrangement in which they can attend just 1 class per week and still reap the benefits.

How long is each class?

The length of the class depends on the age group. They range from 30 minutes to 45 minutes in duration, and follow a schedule of fun and educational activities.

Mighty Samurai (7 & 8 year-olds): 30 Minutes
Elite Samurai (9 - 12 year-olds): 45 Minutes

Each class includes stretches and warm-ups, drills on important skills, and discussion of a personal development issue.

Will my child learn a particular martial art, like jiu jitsu or karate?

The Samurai curriculum is designed to be fun for children and enrich their lives with the unique benefits of martial arts. Our curriculum will teach your child and help them build basic skills. It does not originate from any one style nor does it owe a debt to any particular individual. It is not taekwondo, kenpo, kung-fu, or jiu Jitsu; it is simply "martial art." The education-based curriculum rests on a foundation of education above tradition, technique, and country of origin. Your child will learn skills that will serve them in any physical or mental pursuit in the future.

(Source: NAPMA Children's Curriculum)

Can my child earn a colored belt? How will my child be promoted through the Young Samurai program?

It normally takes about eight weeks in the program to be promoted to the next belt level. This chart shows a typical progression that your child can expect to follow through the belt levels. When your child graduates from Mighty Samurai to Elite Samurai, he or she will begin the belt cycle again.

Will my child stay motivated in the class?

Martial arts has a lot of fun and variety - that's why it's a great way to help your child learn to stay motivated and interested in his or her activities!

When a child is intrinsically motivated to do something, they are choosing to do the activity for no reason beyond the satisfaction derived from the activity itself.

Children really do have the desire to master challenges, mostly when they are not burdened by the restraints or expectations of others. Take for example when a child is learning how to ride a bike, tie a shoe, or blow a bubble with their chewing gum. They'll spend hours trying to accomplish this task. What's important to understand is that the task or activity must be within the child's capabilities. If the task is too difficult the child will cry or give up. If it's too easy, the child will dismiss the task and seek out something else that captures his or her attention.

This is why our Mighty Samurai and Elite Samurai classes are tailored to children in their different developmental stages. Each class is tailed for children of a certain age, keeping them interested and focused. Motivation is one of the things they can learn from the class.

(Source: Shuman Concepts Online Journal)

Do the instructors use rewards or punishments to make the children behave?

Neither. Rewards and punishments actually manipulate a child's learning process. If you try to control a child's motivation with a reward, the child will become a conformist and feel they never have to learn or make decisions, just obey. By the same token, punishments can have several negative side effects. Some children who are threatened with a punishment will become deceitful and try to avoid their punishment like it’s a game.

Our instructors work hard to challenge the Little Samurai, keeping the child’s focus "in the game" before having to resort to any sort of punishment.

What if my child misbehaves or can't keep up with the class?

It's only natural that children learn physical skills and self-control at different rates. If your child is not performing at the level you might wish, don't worry! We will talk with you and your child after class about what went wrong. We can also suggest a homework assignment to improve his or her skills.

(Source: Shuman Concepts Online Journal)