What Kids REALLY Need In A Martial Arts Class
- Scott Bullard
- May 8
- 3 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
If you're a parent looking for martial arts classes in Vaughan for your child aged 4 to 10, you might feel a bit overwhelmed by all the options. Karate, Taekwondo, Jiu-Jitsu—each school offers a slightly different style, but many of them promise the same outcomes: focus, discipline, confidence, and self-defence.
So what actually sets a great martial arts school apart?
The truth is: how martial arts is taught is just as important as what’s being taught.
A Class Structure Built Around The Child
When I first started teaching karate, I’ll admit—I just kind of winged it. That approach worked for a little while, but as more kids joined our school, I realized quickly that “winging it” wasn’t sustainable if I wanted to deliver real results.
I spent hundreds of hours researching, testing, and refining our curriculum. And then I revised it again. And again. Even today, my instructors and I continue to tweak and improve our lesson plans so that each child has a consistent, structured experience every time they come to class.
That structure is key—because when kids feel successful, their confidence skyrockets. I’ve had many parents tell me their child’s teacher noticed improvements in the classroom just a few months after starting karate. That kind of change doesn’t happen by accident.
Lessons That Grow With Your Child
One of the most important lessons I’ve learned as an instructor is that “one size fits all” does not work for children.
In the early days, a lot of instructors taught kids the same way they taught adults. Unsurprisingly, many kids lost interest quickly.
That’s why our lessons today follow a rhythm that works for young minds: warm-up, skills, drills, and a fun finish. And we stay flexible—adapting based on the group’s mood, energy, and needs.
For example:
In our Preschool Program (ages 4–6), we focus on attention, listening, and turn-taking. The class is active, upbeat, and designed to keep little ones engaged.
For School-age kids (7–10), we start layering in more traditional fundamentals while emphasizing teamwork, coordination, and self-discipline.
Every child is different. Our goal is to meet them where they are—and help them grow from there.
h
It's Not Just About Karate - It's About Life Skills
Yes, we teach kicks, blocks, and punches. But the moments I’m most proud of? They’re the ones where I see kids shine in ways that have nothing to do with technique.
Like when a shy student who used to avoid eye contact walks in one day, smiles, and says, “Hi, sir!” before I even greet her. Or when a child who used to get easily distracted starts showing real focus—and is proud of it.
We’ve developed a Black Belt Character Program with in-class topics and home assignments around 17 essential life skills, including:
Responsibility
Cooperation
Confidence
Focus
These are the skills that truly matter—and they’re reinforced every week in class, both in words and in practice.
Final Thoughts: Choosing the Right Martial Arts School in Vaughan
Karate is more than just a sport—it’s an investment in your child’s development. From physical fitness and coordination to emotional maturity and social growth, the benefits go far beyond the dojo.
If you’re in Vaughan or surrounding areas, I strongly recommend visiting a few schools. Ask questions. Watch a class. Better yet, let your child try a class. You’ll quickly get a sense of whether the program is structured, welcoming, and developmentally appropriate. And you’ll know if it’s the right fit for your family.
It could be the beginning of something amazing for your child.
Scott Bullard began his martial arts education while studying to become a chemical engineer. A career change lead to realizing his dream of opening his own karate school. After 35 years of teaching in Vaughan, Scott has helped thousands of kids and adults enjoy the benefits of training in the martial arts. He is a 6th Degree Black Belt in Karate and Shihan/Master Instructor at Canada's Best Karate. |
