What we teach our children to do for themselves is what will make them successful
Karate may normally make you think of self-defense, fitness, and discipline …
The truth is, it’s all of that and WAY more!
Give your kids the lifelong gifts of confidence, leadership, dedication and determination.
Our program helps our students build skills that they can APPLY to every area of their life and empower them to be the very best they can possibly be!
Learn how to schedule your FREE 1-on-1 tour & program evaluation!
A FEW WORDS
FROM SENSEI CHRIS MURPHY
I’m Chris Murphy, Owner/ Head Instructor here at Glens Falls Karate Academy.
As a martial arts instructor with decades of experience training kids, there is nothing better than seeing them grow firsthand.
But more important than the martial arts skills they learn… is the personal skills they develop and carry for life.
Because martial arts is so much more than just kicking and punching, and getting the next colorful belt.
It’s about developing confidence, discipline, character, focus and respect.
With every class we teach, your kids are growing in mind, body and character.
That’s because martial arts provides instant positive feedback. Through learning to focus on the core moves, they develop discipline and respect. They can instantly see and feel a difference, making them destined to build confidence, self-awareness and self-respect.
And of course it’s a ton of FUN!
That’s why I love teaching martial arts to kids in this community, and why I know your kids are going to LOVE training.
So please have a look below to find out exactly how your kids can benefit from our fun martial arts classes.
Thanks!
However …
They tattle on others without accepting responsibility for their own actions.
They have a hard time coping with losses and setbacks and may not demonstrate good sportsmanship.
They don’t remember what you or their teachers tell them and struggle with paying attention.
Core SKILLZ | Dynamic Martial Arts Training
Our program aims to target the basic stages of development in a manner that adapts to the adventurous attitudes and youthful nature of our students, while at the same time building skills that set them up for success!
By understanding the stages of development of 7 to 9-year olds, we were able to select 8 age-appropriate skills that make up the Core SKILLZ Program:
1. AGILITY
2. TECHNIQUE
3. COURAGE
4. FLEXIBILITY
5. INTENSITY
6. PERSEVERANCE
7. SPEED
8. CONCENTRATION
We’re taking Martial Arts training to a whole new level! We use basic elements of our traditional Okinawan Karate curriculum to build skills that are appropriate for our students. This means that your child will learn and grow at a pace that is not too easy, nor too challenging.
The best part? The Core SKILLZ program will equip your child with skills that they will utilize in every area of their life for years to come!
YOUR CHILD WILL GROW WITH EVERY CLASS!
Our Core SKILLZ program works with kids to teach them how to accept responsibility for their actions, how to manage negative emotions, and to pay attention to instructions and advice from their instructors. Our program teaches kids how to develop their agility, courage, flexibility, and persistence in a way that allows them to build confidence. These skills translate from our martial arts academy to school – and to your home.
PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT
Kids between 7 and 9 years of age typically have weak fine motor skills therefore proficient technique is not quite there yet. Also, they still tend to stumble when their body is in motion therefore advanced movement is still a little sloppy.
We expect them to initially struggle with great technique in their blocks, strikes, kicks, and stances. We also expect them to initially look sloppy when jumping, spinning, switching feet, etc.
The goal of our program is to get them to perform technical blocks, strikes, kicks, and stances while applying power. Also, our goal is to get them to apply speed to motion without looking sloppy.
INTELLECTUAL DEVELOPMENT
Kids at this age are extremely bright, but they typically have a hard time concentrating during distractions.
We expect them to initially lose focus if there are other, more “interesting” things going on around them. We also expect them to forget simple commands mainly because they try to “over-think.”
The goal of our program is to get them to concentrate on the task at hand despite other distractions. Our goal is to also get them to retain simple information without trying to put excessive thought into it.
EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT
At this stage in their development kids are wonderfully stable and love challenges. However, they will typically show excessive fear when they over-process something.
For the most part, we expect them to have emotional stability on normal days. We also expect them to initially show excessive anxiety when put on the spot.
The goal of our program is to help them persevere through challenges, especially when they initially feel like giving up. We will also help them face their fears in a supportive environment.
SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
These kids love to interact with others, especially adults. However, they typically don’t like when something is unfair and will be determined to point it out and be heard.
We expect them to initially interrupt us when they think something is wrong or unfair. We also expect them to show great determination when trying to get their point across.
The goals for our program are to help them understand how to address problems and challenges properly without interfering with the overall flow of the class.
See what our members have to say:
Pam Fisher
My son was looking for a new athletic activity this past Spring and decided to try karate. I couldn’t be happier with Glens Falls Karate Academy, and the positive influence Sensei Murphy has had on my son. It’s a great program for athletes of all abilities. Great place!
Nikki Hoague
My daughter has been a student here for years and I would highly recommend this school to anyome looking to learn new martial arts and not be like every other martial arts school in the area! Chris is a great teacher and leader to these kids. They offer adult classes too, Come try a class and make your own opinion.
Heather Richards
My daughter started a few months ago and has enjoyed the challenges, friendships, structure, community and education that sensei Chris Murphy provides. There is never a moment she isn’t excited to go to class! As a parent I have noticed the difference in my child’s focus, attitude and confidence not only about herself but in what she is doing as well!! Thank you sensei!!!
Danielle Volks
We love karate, Sensei and Miss Stacey. What a wonderful program to be a part of. My son looks forward to karate each week.
Complete our Program Application to get started with an invitation to a FREE Program Consultation and Introductory Lesson to see our Classes in action.
HURRY! Space is limited in each class – so new enrollment is subject to availability.
FAQs
Yes. Kids in the Core SKILLZ program must pay attention to instructors and memorize moves if they wish to advance.
The Core Skillz program teaches kids that they must be accountable for their own behavior and actions. Accountability is essential our martial arts school and it’s a key life skill that kids will take home with them when the class is over.
Yes. It’s normal for kids to experience setbacks when they study martial arts. Some moves may require repeated effort to master, and the process teaches kids to handle disappointment and failure.
Our Core SKILLZ program helps kids to build focus and improve their memorization skills. Each of the skills we teach requires kids to remember what the instructors have told them and – in some cases – to memorize a series of moves. When kids learn how to memorize information, they can use that skill anywhere they need to use it – including in the classroom.
A fixation on fairness is common in kids of this age, but our program helps them understand that sometimes life isn’t fair – and also, to realize that in our martial arts school, all other kids face the same challenges they do.
Our Core SKILLZ curriculum is specifically designed with kids from ages seven to nine in mind. We want to challenge them without overwhelming them – and our instructors know how to motivate them and keep them on track. They’ll learn to accept challenges, not run from them.
Yes. One of the Core “SKILLZ” we teach is courage, which requires kids to dodge targets. While the targets won’t hurt them, they show kids that they can face opposition and still succeed.
Yes. Kids at this age still have some issues with fine motor skills, and we know that they’ll have trouble with some of the moves we teach at first. Our goal is to help them gain control and build strength and agility.
More Benefits
Improves balance and core strength by requiring kids to hold poses.
Teaches the value of persistence by teaching kids how to keep trying even when they don’t get the result they want.
Helps kids build physical speed and control by introducing timed tests for certain skills.
Allows kids to express their opinions in a non-disruptive and respectful way.
Encourages kids to embrace the value of personal responsibility and accountability.
Builds concentration by requiring kids to memorize sequences of moves.
Teaches kids how to interact socially with both peers and instructors.
Kids learn the importance of respecting others and allowing them to speak without interruption.
Learn how to get started with a FREE 1-on-1 consultation & dojo tour!