Well I have seriously entertained the idea of putting Jolene into a gymnastics class because she loves doing these little flips but someone at church suggested karate because Jolene has an extremely high level of energy. Plus she has a really hard time listening and with discipline. So I looked into the classes, the are 139 a month but that includes her uniform. It seems pricey but if it helps her sleep at night because she will be tired and if it helps teach her to listen better then I think it will be a good investment. Especially if I can get this all done before she starts kindergarten. That will be key.
Has anyone here ever put a child into karate and did it really do any good?
Not karate, Shelly, but I did have other ideas up my sleeve to redirect some energy for the boys when they were little. Tony and Mike took up fencing and archery, all 3 took lots of swimming classes, and music lessons for all three from an early age, and to this day all 3 still play their instruments. I can't recommend music enough! Not only does it provide a lifetime of appreciation, it makes better mathematicians! Music and math draw on the same parts of the brain, and while it's exercised, both skills are sharpened.
Anyway, I'd be far more interested in the gymnastics programme for Jolene than karate. Isn't 4 years old a bit young for self defense classes? In gymnastics, she'd still have discipline, following instructions and physical energy used up, and she'd be developing coordination too.
I tried instruments as a kid and was horrible at all of them, but Jolene might be okay in them. The classes are only 6 months. I haven't signed on yet but am leaning into it. I may do gymnastics afterwords. Besides with Vinnie going to be gone the better part of the next 6 months I think karate twice a week will keep her busy more then the once a week.
I think 4 is a bit young for self defense, but I think she will have fun with it. She has always played more rough then the other girls her age. And who knows, after the 45 minute class/meeting we have to go to on Thursday she might not even like it.
I think that I have decided to go the gymnastics route. At least for now. I will wait until Jo starts school at least before doing something so disciplined
I think that's really wise, Shelly. She's just a little girl and karate is such a serious discipline, although when she's older, give it a try.
Don't give up on music for her. I can't carry a tune in a bucket while all 3 sons are wonderful musicians. Anyone can learn an instrument. Have you seen the symphony orchestras from Brazil - all kids and they are fabulous! I'll see if I can 1 - remember what they call the programme and 2 - post you a link if and when I do remember it.
Sorry that the hyperlink didn't work. Board's having a bad day, lol. Anyway, the point is not that you guys are impoverished (just the opposite, indeed) as was the case with the Brazilian kids, but that music led them away from a life of crime and poverty. Music! Amazing!!
Shelly, it has been a very long time since I had my kids in any of those kinds of classes, but I think that price sounds high!
I would recommend gymnastics, beginner combo tap/ballet, or even yoga! A-D took little Ayva to a few yoga classes, and the child loved them! Both of my daughters were in dance, and a number of neighbors' girls were in gymnastics. Also, if there's a swim club nearby, you might consider a swim team for her, even if she's not a huge swimmer yet. With the really little kids, putting them on a swim team will get you some free lessons (if she knows the basics already) because the coaches will tweak their techniques, and show them some new strokes. Of course, you'll have to wait until next summer for that, unless you're willing to get into winter swim, and all of that... (Not worth it, in my opinion).
Our son was briefly in karate, and I do remember that those classes were far and above more expensive than what the girls did.
Another thing that you ought to consider is to get her into Daisy scouting, as a preparation for Brownies and Girl Scouts. I think that she may need to be five years old for that, but definitely keep it in mind for next year! The more activities like dance, scouts, swim, etc., etc., that you can put her in will all be of benefit. It will keep her busy, will give her various disciplines, will be socially beneficial to her, will exhaust her (!), and will expose her to a variety of interests. At some point down the road, she'll pick her favorites, and stick with those. In the meantime, she will have had a good time exploring different things.
Before you spend too much money on the karate, check to see if any of your nearby community centers offers these kinds of classes. That way, you could test it without signing some long-term contract which these karate schools tend to push.
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"It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities"
(Dumbledore to Harry Potter)
Our sub base rec center offers a Dojo class or something like that but she has to be 5. My friend Misty has her 3 year old in a tap/ballet combo class but I think that Jolene would like gymnastics. I mean at almost 4 she almost has a kart wheel down pat and that is with out any training or guidance (I am not doing flips).
I think I may enroll her into a piano type class when she starts school. My niece started I believe in the 1st grade and really enjoys it.
And Moore I am definitely going to go the girl scouts route, I firmly believe it is such a good program.
