WE BELIEVE KIDS LEARN BEST THROUGH PLAY ...
THAT'S WHY WE MAKE LEARNING FUN!
Our preschool and kindergarten karate program is designed to create meaningful connections, fostering a supportive environment where your child can thrive. We partner with you, their parent, to provide valuable resources and guidance, ensuring that the skills and confidence your child gains here extend seamlessly into your home.
Don’t wait – discover how our program can transform your child’s development today!
Unlock Your Child's Full Potential!
Personal development is our mission … Martial Arts is simply the tool we use to accomplish our goals. Join us for a complimentary one-on-one preschool/kindergarten karate program evaluation, where we assess your child’s unique developmental stage and set personalized goals to foster growth in their confidence, discipline, and physical fitness.
- 28 Ridge Street, Glens Falls, NY 12801
get our program pricing & age-specific class schedule
schedule your FREE tour & program Evaluation Today:
Space is limited in each class – so new enrollment is subject to availability.
OUR YOUNGEST STUDENTS LOVE ANYTHING INVOLVING PLAY
HOWEVER ...
They’re typically shy and may have difficulty approaching other kids – or sharing in a play situation.
They often don’t pay attention to their surroundings and may end up being unintentionally destructive as a result.
They lack control and can’t stay in one place long enough to eat a meal or watch a movie.
INTRODUCING THE AGE-SPECIFIC SOLUTION FOR PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN CHILDREN:
LIL’ DRAGONS | EARLY SKILLZ
Our preschool and kindergarten-aged students have a rich imagination and a strong desire to be less dependent on their usual caregivers.
The problem we’ve discovered is that many kids at this age have a hard time with structure in a group environment (like what is commonly found in most martial arts schools & organized sports).
The solution we’ve come up with at Glens Falls Karate Academy is to provide them with their own age-specific karate program that targets their stages of development in a manner that keeps them entertained while at the same time building skills that will set them up for success!
As a lifetime member of SKILLZ Worldwide, Glens Falls Karate Academy is recognized as a licensed child development center, ensuring the highest standards and strategies are used to nurture your child’s growth.
YOUR CHILD WILL GROW WITH EVERY CLASS!
Our Lil’ Dragons (Early SKILLZ) Program for preschoolers and kindergarteners gives young children the “early” skills and discipline they need to succeed. While they learn simple martial arts moves such as kicking, punching, blocking, crawling, and jumping, they also grasp valuable lessons about social conduct. Over time, Early SKILLZ students learn how to control their movements, follow directions, and interact with students and teachers.
Discover the Power of P.I.E.S. in Child Development
At Glens Falls Karate Academy, we incorporate the P.I.E.S. framework as a cornerstone of our teaching philosophy to ensure holistic growth for your child. Read more to learn what P.I.E.S. stands for and why it’s integral to our program:
- Physical Development (P): Our activities are designed to enhance your child’s motor skills, coordination, and physical fitness. Through structured and age-specific martial arts training, children build strength, agility, and body awareness, setting a foundation for a healthy lifestyle.
- Intellectual Development (I): We foster cognitive development by engaging children in problem-solving tasks and critical thinking exercises. This approach enhances their focus, memory, and ability to follow complex instructions, preparing them for academic success.
- Emotional Development (E): Emotional intelligence is key to navigating life’s challenges. Our program helps children understand and manage their emotions, promoting self-regulation, confidence, and perseverance in the face of adversity.
- Social Development (S): Building strong interpersonal skills is crucial for effective communication and teamwork. Through group activities and peer interactions, children learn respect, empathy, and cooperation, essential traits for thriving in social environments.
Why P.I.E.S.?
- Holistic Approach: By addressing all aspects of a child’s development, we ensure balanced growth that extends beyond physical abilities.
- Life Skills: The P.I.E.S. framework equips children with essential life skills, preparing them for future challenges both inside and outside the dojo.
- Proven Success: Our integration of P.I.E.S. has consistently led to positive outcomes, as evidenced by the success stories of our students.
What does age-specific development look like? Explore how our Lil’ Dragons program nurtures every aspect of your child’s growth by staying in touch with age-level expectations, their underlying causes, and setting our developmental goals for each area of development through our program-specific curriculum …
Children at this age typically have low muscle tone and poor hand-eye coordination.
We expect them initially to drop their arms when punching, and to stumble or fall when kicking or jumping. We also expect them to have no concept of spatial awareness, therefore they will drop things that are thrown to them and bump into people and obstacles often.
The goal for our program is to get them to punch without dropping their arms; kick without falling; jump without falling; catch objects thrown from various directions and distances.
At this age children typically have a limited vocabulary — only about 30% of their language capacity — therefore learning is normally limited to visual and kinesthetic activities.
We expect them to initially lose focus when activities are over-complicated. We also expect them to struggle with commands that have more than two instructions.
The goal for our program is to get them to follow verbal commands with no visual demonstration. Also, our goal is for them to remember rules and commands without being reminded.
Children in preschool and Kindergarten typically have strong preferences and fears … and are not shy about telling you! Therefore they will normally act out of bounds when their emotions get out of their control.
We expect them to run off the mat when they have anxiety. We also expect them to shut down when something either scares them or doesn’t go their way.
The goal for our program is to help them follow directions and persevere through an activity even if they are initially emotional, and to begin self-regulating when they experience strong emotions.
Preschoolers and Kindergarteners are typically very self-centered. In addition, due to their limited vocabulary, their common form of communication is mainly physical. They like to engage in parallel play, meaning they want to be involved in the same activity as those around them, but do not necessarily want to play WITH those around them.
We expect them to mimic each other (such as falling when their classmate falls). We also expect them to crash into things when they are excited, sometimes even on purpose.
The goals of our program revolve around helping them build good social skills such as spatial awareness, not interrupting when others are talking, and taking turns properly.
Experience the Heart of Our Dojo Family
At Glens Falls Karate Academy, we pride ourselves on fostering a warm, inclusive, and family-friendly environment that feels like your home away from home. Our supportive dojo community is more than just a place to train—it’s a family where students of all ages come together to grow, learn, and succeed.
We encourage families to train alongside each other, creating bonds that extend beyond the dojo walls. With a focus on collaboration and encouragement, our academy is a place where lifelong friendships are formed, and everyone is empowered to achieve their personal best.
Become a part of our vibrant dojo family, where community spirit and mutual support are at the core of everything we do.
Meet Our Dedicated and Experienced Instructors
Our instructors are the backbone of our success, bringing a wealth of knowledge and passion to every class. With years of experience in martial arts and child development, our team is dedicated to nurturing each student’s journey, ensuring they receive personalized attention and guidance.
Our instructors are not only skilled martial artists, but also parents, teachers, and young mentors who inspire confidence, discipline, and resilience in every student.
Their commitment to excellence and continuous learning ensures that our programs are delivered with the highest standards.
Discover the difference our expert instructors can make in your child’s growth and development, and join us in building a brighter future together.
Where Traditional Values Meet Modern Innovation
At Glens Falls Karate Academy, our facilities beautifully blend the rich traditions of Okinawan Karate with modern innovations to create an optimal learning environment. Our dojo honors the time-honored practices of martial arts while integrating contemporary training tools and technology to enhance the learning experience.
Students benefit from a space that respects the past while embracing the future, allowing them to grow in a setting that is both inspiring and functional.
From tatami mats and hardwood floors to advanced training equipment and digital resources, our facilities are thoughtfully designed to support every aspect of your martial arts journey.
Learn How To Schedule Your FREE Tour & Program Evaluation:
The people are wonderful, the atmosphere is welcoming, it is a family. I recommend the Glens Falls Karate Academy to anyone and everyone!
Glens Falls Karate & Sensei Murphy have been the perfect destination for our little boy.
Sensei Murphy and Senpai Traina are wonderful instructors, incorporating elements of discipline, integrity, confidence, poise, respect, compassion, athleticism and more into the curriculum.
My daughter has become more focused, confident in everything she does and has a better attitude than before she started. We all are very greatful for the environment that is provided where the kids have fun learning and have encouragement from sensei as well as their peers.
My triplets have been here a couple of months. I am very happy with their progress and the staff is wonderful. 5 out of 5 stars
Frequently Asked Questions
Most frequent questions and answers about our Children's Martial Arts Program
We don’t require parents to stay during classes. However, we do find that parents who get involved with their kids martial arts lessons, truly build a solid connection as they see their child grow in confidence and skill as they progress through their belt ranks. And building strong family units is important to us at Glens Falls Karate Academy for our Glens Falls community.
Make sure you wear comfortable clothes you can do sport in! Not really suitable to practice kicks in a skirt.😳
Be sure to bring a water bottle to your martial arts classes. You will find Glens Falls Karate Academy in Glens Falls have martial arts classes for kids and adults that are a great workout and lots of fun! Most students are grinning from ear to ear by the end of the class. I am sure you will be too!
Yes! One of the great things about martial arts classes, is that it’s an individual sport, done in a group environment. We find all our students improve in their focus, self control, discipline and social skills. But the best part is…. They don’t even realise that is what our highly trained Kids Martial Arts Instructors are actually doing. They just think they are having fun!
The best way to find out for yourself, is to take advantage of our limited time offer. You’ll find our team so helpful and dedicated to helping your child become the best version of themselves. Book it now! You will be glad you did!
We encourage parents to watch their children in their kids martial arts lessons. We love parents getting involved! And so do their kids. Even better… join into some of our martial arts classes for adults. Your kids will love that you have something in common. It will build a strong family bond!
Additionally, if you wanted some ‘me-time’? Simply drop them off, and go grab a coffee. They will greet you with a huge smile when you return, because they had SO much fun!
Not at all. You will find that martial arts classes are the PERFECT sport for kids who are not good at sport. Kids martial arts classes really are an individual after school activity, that they do in a group.
The journey from white belt to black belt is different for each student. But what is the same…. They improve co-ordination, balance, motor skills, focus and discipline. Plus, they makes lots of great friends!
Our Instructors are highly skilled in teaching martial arts for kids. Really… It’s their PASSION!
This is probably the BEST kids activity for children who sit a lot!
Getting them active, without them realising they are learning, is our skill. Kicking and punching pads is such a great stress relief, that kids blossom in all areas – because of their martial arts training.
Many Glens Falls parents find that once their kids start martial arts classes, they see a happier, more social child develop right before their eyes. You’ll be glad they started classes!
PLUS…. Most kids LOVE being a ninja!
Fill out the form below to Register Today!
Space is limited in each class – so new enrollment is subject to availability.