|
______________________________________________________________ |
Dragons |
_____________________________________________________________ |
|
Want to try a class? Once our waiver has been filled out Dragons can observe / try 2 classes for free before signing up!
|
|
How we use Dragon Focal Points
|
Unlike the classes we offer for Juniors, Teens & Adults, Dragons classes are structured almost entirely around drills that are disguised as games. This strategy aims to keeps your little Dragon engaged and excited to learn.
Dragons classes also work at a slower and faster pace. The progression of material is slower than the other classes, but the pace of activities is much more rapid as the attention span of younger children is much shorter. |
A few of the games you may hear your little Dragon excited about are:
-Obstacle Courses (Coordination, Balance, Listening) -Dragon Bowling (Listening, Focus) -Balance the Ball (Teamwork, Focus, FMS, Balance, Coordination) Scarf Play (Listening, Focus, FMS, Self Control, Sharing) |
When your little Dragon demonstrates good listening skills all class long they receive a star on our Listening Board.
At various increments these stars award your little Dragon other prizes within class that are fun and show their listening status to their classmates. These stars also act as a demonstration of progress between Tips & Belt Testings. |
Tips & Belt Testing
|
Tips are stripes that go on the belt and display different qualities of achievement. Some examples of these stripes are: Leadership, Teamwork, Self-Discipline, and Outstanding Attendance. When little Dragons consistently display one of these qualities they receive the corresponding tip. These Tips are a way to show your little Dragon's progress towards their next belt level. A little dragon must have their belt in order to receive a Tip.
|
|
Belt Testing for little Dragons is held in class. A little Dragon who has enough Tips, is listening and working hard, is coming to class consistently, has the required "At Home Points" (AHPs) and has learned the requisite material will move up a belt rank. A little dragon must be in full uniform: Gi top, Gi pants and belt, in order to receive their next belt.
|
Moving through the Ranks |
Moving into the Juniors Class |
|
Like the Juniors, Teens and Adults classes there are requisite skills and material that we need to see from your little Dragon before they can advance to the next belt. However, unlike these other classes the measurement of some of these skills and material is softer. This means that your little Dragon's instructor will be looking for the performance of concrete skills, but also more abstract skills like the improvement of their abilities to listen, focus, work with another classmate, demonstrate with confidence in front of the class, and demonstrate restraint and self control.
|
Little Dragons are eligible to move to the Juniors class when they turn 6 years old and know the student creed, their 8 blocks, the components of Pinon 1, and their listening skills and ability to focus are on par with the students in the Juniors class. This ensures that they are with students in their age group and that their height and strength progress with the other children for sparring, shuai jiao, and defensive drills. It also helps to ensure the same level of cognition and maturity.
If a little Dragon turns 6 years old but is not yet ready for the Juniors class, they may remain in little Dragons a while longer. Some 6 year old students who are intimidated by the Juniors classes may join the Dragon's class to build up their confidence in how classes run and what is expected of them. Exceptions for early admission to the Juniors classes may be made under special circumstances. View the Dragon's Assessment Form we use for this transition. |
FAQs
My child likes to hit their family members at home, will class make this behavior even worse?
Exactly the opposite will happen. As non-family members and their authority on these types of movements we have frequent discussions about the proper use of kicks and punches and that they are reserved for class and self defense only. Your little Dragon may continue to do these things at home in the beginning because they are practicing, but if it persists past the first couple of classes please bring it to the attention of their instructor.
I want to see if my child will like the Dragons class, can they come watch?
Absolutely! Each potential student is allowed to audit 2 classes for free before signing up. Bring them in during either/both of our Fall-Spring Tuesday (4:00) / Wednesday (3:45) OR Summer Tuesday (4:30) or Thursday (3:45) class. We do ask you to fill out a waiver for your child before they "watch" as the watching usually doesn't last long and they want to jump in and join class, which is great, those first 2 classes are for them to watch/try out class.
What should my child wear if they are coming to audit a class?
Something comfortable to move around in. Socks are allowed to be worn while they are auditing class, but we ask that they remove them once they've joined class, as it is tradition, and we don't want anyone to slip on our mats while running around in a warm-up or doing kicks.
Can I watch class?
There is a viewing strip on the top of the back Dojo door to look in, but we do close the door and ask that parents sit outside the door by the front Dojo as children this age get very distracted by their adult family members presence in the Dojo. However, an instructor will open the door or come out to get you when your child is about to receive their next belt so that you can capture that joyous moment. Juniors, Teens and Adults classes are located in the front Dojo where there is lots of seating and full visibility of class.
How do I pay for classes once I've decided to sign my child up for the Dragons class?
Dragons class work on a no-commitment punch-card. So you'll buy a certain number of classes and we will deduct one every time your child comes in for class.
When will my child get a uniform?
When you sign your child up for classes, their 1st Gi is included in their enrollment.
How do you ensure the lessons taught in class get translated at home?
We have built a system where, starting at White-Yellow belt (the 1st they test for), Dragons will receive a chart where family members will award Dragons At Home Points (AHPs) for things such as: random acts of kindness, displays of respect and patience, demonstrations of discipline, listening the first time, being helpful, cooperation, sharing, teamwork, self-control and gracious acceptance of compromises. From White-Yellow belt on, Dragons will need to receive a certain number of AHPs to be eligible to test for their next belt.
What do I do if I don't know how to tie the uniform?
No worries, we can teach you if you'd like to learn, if not we're happy to help your little Dragon tie their Gi top and belt.
My child is growing quickly, what are my options when my child outgrows their uniform?
Come and see one of our staff members at the front desk, they'll be happy to help you get a bigger Gi.
Does my little Dragon have to make it to White-Black belt before they can test for their Junior's solid Yellow belt?
No, your little Dragon will enter the Juniors class with whatever colored stripe belt they have and when they learn the material required of the Junior White belts they will test from their striped Dragon belt to a solid Yellow belt.
Exactly the opposite will happen. As non-family members and their authority on these types of movements we have frequent discussions about the proper use of kicks and punches and that they are reserved for class and self defense only. Your little Dragon may continue to do these things at home in the beginning because they are practicing, but if it persists past the first couple of classes please bring it to the attention of their instructor.
I want to see if my child will like the Dragons class, can they come watch?
Absolutely! Each potential student is allowed to audit 2 classes for free before signing up. Bring them in during either/both of our Fall-Spring Tuesday (4:00) / Wednesday (3:45) OR Summer Tuesday (4:30) or Thursday (3:45) class. We do ask you to fill out a waiver for your child before they "watch" as the watching usually doesn't last long and they want to jump in and join class, which is great, those first 2 classes are for them to watch/try out class.
What should my child wear if they are coming to audit a class?
Something comfortable to move around in. Socks are allowed to be worn while they are auditing class, but we ask that they remove them once they've joined class, as it is tradition, and we don't want anyone to slip on our mats while running around in a warm-up or doing kicks.
Can I watch class?
There is a viewing strip on the top of the back Dojo door to look in, but we do close the door and ask that parents sit outside the door by the front Dojo as children this age get very distracted by their adult family members presence in the Dojo. However, an instructor will open the door or come out to get you when your child is about to receive their next belt so that you can capture that joyous moment. Juniors, Teens and Adults classes are located in the front Dojo where there is lots of seating and full visibility of class.
How do I pay for classes once I've decided to sign my child up for the Dragons class?
Dragons class work on a no-commitment punch-card. So you'll buy a certain number of classes and we will deduct one every time your child comes in for class.
When will my child get a uniform?
When you sign your child up for classes, their 1st Gi is included in their enrollment.
How do you ensure the lessons taught in class get translated at home?
We have built a system where, starting at White-Yellow belt (the 1st they test for), Dragons will receive a chart where family members will award Dragons At Home Points (AHPs) for things such as: random acts of kindness, displays of respect and patience, demonstrations of discipline, listening the first time, being helpful, cooperation, sharing, teamwork, self-control and gracious acceptance of compromises. From White-Yellow belt on, Dragons will need to receive a certain number of AHPs to be eligible to test for their next belt.
What do I do if I don't know how to tie the uniform?
No worries, we can teach you if you'd like to learn, if not we're happy to help your little Dragon tie their Gi top and belt.
My child is growing quickly, what are my options when my child outgrows their uniform?
Come and see one of our staff members at the front desk, they'll be happy to help you get a bigger Gi.
Does my little Dragon have to make it to White-Black belt before they can test for their Junior's solid Yellow belt?
No, your little Dragon will enter the Juniors class with whatever colored stripe belt they have and when they learn the material required of the Junior White belts they will test from their striped Dragon belt to a solid Yellow belt.
