22 Mar 2013, 10:25 am
My son has been in karate since he is 4 1/2. He is one of the least coordinated kids in the program. Many of the kids he started with have far surpassed him in belt ranks, but he has always continued on with a good attitude at his slower pace. Well, in order to keep up, he has to practice at home daily, as well as attend the 2x a week class and he takes a private every other week. And with that, he is still weak, but doing a lot better.
He is now in the advanced group, which is a MUCH bigger load of material to learn, and a lot more complex moves for anyone, let alone a kid with issues that he has (VMI, Executive functioning, fine and gross motor, etc..) They were teachign him a complex routine, and he got it very quick.
The Sensei came out after the lesson and told me how great my son is doing, how he is catchign on real quick and he is GOOD at what he is doing. That is the first time in 3 years I have heard my son is GOOD at it! He actually compared what he just learned to other kids learning it and said my son did better then most do.
I told my son what his Sensie said, and how great he is doing, how all his hard work is paying off!
For a kid like mine, that compliment was huge. He has to overcome a lot to participate in the class, and he does, and he should be super proud of himself. I asked him how he felt about that, and he said GREAT!! And he should 
Just wanted to share a good moment, and how these accomplishemtns mean so much!
22 Mar 2013, 11:19 am
That is great news!! !! So wonderful for you and your son! Keep up the smiles
22 Mar 2013, 11:45 am
Congratulations to you and the persistent little booger.
Bask in it. Tell your little guy that the nastiest and most cynical momma on your boards thinks he did something awesome.
22 Mar 2013, 11:55 am
22 Mar 2013, 1:37 pm
OliveOilMom
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22 Mar 2013, 2:40 pm
Congratulations to him! I took martial arts in the past and it takes entirely too much coordination for me. I know that stuff is difficult, so tell him good work!
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22 Mar 2013, 4:29 pm
I am so glad for you! I'm glad for him too, that he didn't give up just because other kids seemed to be learning faster . I quit ballet when I was 7 because I was bigger than all the other 7 year old girls and I felt like a cow.
OliveOilMom
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22 Mar 2013, 6:23 pm
. I quit ballet when I was 7 because I was bigger than all the other 7 year old girls and I felt like a cow.I took ballet when I was little too, and couldn't do it to save my life. I went to Nora Nash in Five Points West. The martial arts I took was Tang So Do and was taught by a UAB cop at Indian Springs school a couple times a week. I couldn't do either of those well at all. Oddly enough I was fantastic with twirling a baton, and I have no idea why I have that one savant like graceful skill when I can't walk across a level floor in an empty room in broad daylight stone cold sober without tripping over something nonexistent. I don't think we are hopeless when it comes to physical stuff, I think that each of us has to find the thing we are good at and if we keep trying or looking for it, we will.
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I'm giving it another shot. We will see.
My forum is still there and everyone is welcome to come join as well. There is a private women only subforum there if anyone is interested. Also, there is no CAPTCHA.
The link to the forum is http://www.rightplanet.proboards.com
22 Mar 2013, 7:28 pm
22 Mar 2013, 10:32 pm
23 Mar 2013, 10:35 am
You just made me smile! That is beyond awesome!
My son was in tae kwon do for YEARS before we moved. All of the other kids who started with him, and many who started after him, all became junior black belts. My son never got that far, but like your son, he persisted. He never quit. He has really bad motor planning issues and so I know it was so hard for him. It really makes you beam with pride doesn't it?
You are very luck to have your sensei, as we were lucky for my son's sah bum nim. I know of other spectrum kids who tried martial arts who were torn apart by ignorant masters who believed that regular tactics would work. It is one reason I am hesitant to enroll him again. All of the instructors at my son's old dojang, regardless of what rank of black belt they held, recognized that my son needed a different style of teaching. For example, instead of yelling when he was not standing still while at attention, they came over and placed a hand on his shoulder to help him remember to be still. They repeatedly guided his little arms and legs through space with their hands so that he could feel the correct movement, instead of just expecting him to watch and learn like the other kids.
People like this are gold. I am happy you and your son found some.
24 Mar 2013, 3:46 pm
24 Mar 2013, 4:04 pm
That is beyond awesome!My son was in tae kwon do for YEARS before we moved. All of the other kids who started with him, and many who started after him, all became junior black belts. My son never got that far, but like your son, he persisted. He never quit. He has really bad motor planning issues and so I know it was so hard for him. It really makes you beam with pride doesn't it?
You are very luck to have your sensei, as we were lucky for my son's sah bum nim. I know of other spectrum kids who tried martial arts who were torn apart by ignorant masters who believed that regular tactics would work. It is one reason I am hesitant to enroll him again. All of the instructors at my son's old dojang, regardless of what rank of black belt they held, recognized that my son needed a different style of teaching. For example, instead of yelling when he was not standing still while at attention, they came over and placed a hand on his shoulder to help him remember to be still. They repeatedly guided his little arms and legs through space with their hands so that he could feel the correct movement, instead of just expecting him to watch and learn like the other kids.
People like this are gold. I am happy you and your son found some.
YES his karate school is amazing. They work with so many types of kids. My son has several kids on the spectrum in his school, many ADHD kids, you name it they got it. they are kind, they know when to be tough and who to be tought with and who to be gentler with. they have always been great with my son. Keep him motivated, having fun and just always wanting to go back and do better! I agree it is wonderful to find a school like this, casue I hear lots of others arent the same.
24 Mar 2013, 5:34 pm
Shellfish
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25 Mar 2013, 5:51 am
