 |
|||||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
"Teach Your Children Well… Crosby, Stills,Nash & Young"
By Shihan Don Corrigal
The songwriter extolled the virtual of
teaching children well. As the information age races forward down the years our understanding of this simple line
takes on far greater importance and impact then was intended when the song was first released. Each year new
research re-enforces the importance of early childhood development.The "Determinants of Health", what makes a person health, what makes a community or society healthy, tells us that there are 5 determinants of health:
1. The Physical Environment - clean air, healthy diet, clean water, healthy functioning eco-systems;
2. The Socio-Economic Environment - a save community, high levels of wealth at a personal level and community level, personal opportunity for advancement and creative, intellectual, physical opportunity;
3. The Social Support Network - access to quality health care and other social supports;
4. Personal Physical, Social, Intellectual and Emotional Capacities - eating habits, other healthy lifestyle habits, social, intellectual & emotional capacities & strengths;
5. Early Childhood Development - this is an over arching determinant that is central to the other four determinants and most likely the most important thing in determining the longevity, physical & emotional health status, economic status, social status, intellectual, & physical development. Early Childhood Development can not be over-emphasized as the single most important thing in a child's life that will largely account for their success or failure as an adult in the world.
How then can those of use teaching
kyokushin karate to children ensure that we are enhancing this development and not placing barriers to the long
term development and success of the children entrusted to us in our classes? Why should we be concerned that we
are first teaching children and second doing it well?It was 1984 and I was in Tokyo to compete in the 3rd World Open Tournament. During my time there my brother & I was fortunate to be able to meet with Sosai in his office to discuss the development of Kyokushin karate in Western Canada. The conversation was wide ranging. Sosai was acutely aware of a wide variety of topics such as world events, anything about karate, people and politics, and he enjoyed talking about them. The conversation came around to teaching. Sosai became quite excited as he spoke about the need to teach children and to teach them well. My clear recollection is of him leaning forward in his seat, speaking with great animation about the need to ensure the future of Kyokushin through teaching children. With each point he would emphasize the point with a strong punch of his fist into the palm of his other hand. As we finished our meeting he directed us to start teaching children. Upon return home to Canada I immediately under took to start children's classes.
Not being a trained teacher required that I made the effort to learn by reading books, talking to professional teachers, trial & error, and hard work to learn the appropriate techniques of teaching and motivating children.
1. First and foremost when teaching children understanding the relationship of the child to the teacher. It is an inherently unequal relationship. The child needs to feel accepted and respected for who they are. At all times the teacher must be cognoscente of this and always protect the openness and the innocence of the child. Close collaboration with the parent or guardian is essential so that any action by the instructor successfully blends the practices of Kyokushin with the cultural foundations of the child's family;
2. Children want and need discipline. The teacher needs to develop techniques for this that lets the child know quickly what is expected, while at the same time being consistent in the application of these techniques with a group of children;
3. Praise 10 times for every one time of criticism. Look for successes in each child, build on existing strengths and knowledge of the child. Although we are told that all are created equal, each child has their own unique wants and needs;
4. Communicate directly and respectfully with children, using age appropriate language, without condescending to them. Continually re-enforce important information using techniques which engage the child and make them part of the teaching process. Positive re-enforcement always garners higher, longer lasting and life enhancing effects, then does negative re-enforcement;
5. Teaching children requires high levels of creativity and energy. When you take on the teaching of children's classes, this will be taxing and the teacher needs to plan for times of respite from teaching to recharge the batteries.
6. Lastly, have high expectations of the children in your classes, set goals for them, and articulate those to them continually. Be quick to praise small successes in achieving those expectations and goals. Never criticize a child for failing to achieve the goal. Their failure is not because of their lack of trying or ability, but our failure to adequately motivate the child, communicate with the child, or understand the needs of the child.
To achieve the goal of being a successful
teacher of children's classes requires only two things on the part of the instructor:1. A passion for your subject;
2. A passion for the people you are teaching.
If you have the passion, these other things will development with time and experience. Do not be afraid to ask question, ask for advise, to see out the council of other professions and professionals and always be a student, be teachable.
I am reminded of the quote by Dr. Jigoro Kano, the founder of Judo, and a professional educator:
" A great fighter will influence a generation, a great teacher will influence 100 generations!"
