This is a very common question from parents looking for a quality martial arts program for their children. After decades of working with kids and their parents we've come to see for most the real concern is to know that their child will get the individual attention and support he or she may need from the instructors.
At the Dragon Gym, there are several ways that we assure this for you and your child, but before I get into those details, let me tell you that a large martial arts class is nothing to worry about as long as it is run in a well thought out and structured manner. The kids will actually benefit from the increased interaction and socialization. Plus, what determines a "large" class for 3 and 4 year olds, 5 and 6 year olds, 7 to 9 year olds, and 10 to 13 year olds is very different.
Here's how we do it:
# 1 -- All of our classes are age-specific, meaning 3 and 4 year olds are only with 3 and 4 year olds, 5 and 6 year olds are only with 5 and 6 year olds, 7 to 9 year olds are only with 7 to 9 year olds and 10 to 13 year olds are only with 10 to 13 year olds.
# 2 -- Because the classes are age-specific the students are with other kids that are in the same physical, social, intellectual and emotional stages of the development and have similar needs and goals. This is really works because our martial arts curriculum was designed from the research of developmental psychologists to target these aspects of a child's development. This is not true from programs that lump a more spread out age group of kids into the same class.
#3 -- Near Peer Mentoring. One of the best ways for kids to learn is through what is called modeling. Modeling takes place when a child emulates a slightly older or more advanced child that they look up to. At the Dragon Gym we have an enrichment and mentorship track called the Junior Instructor Program. This is a program where the older students receive additional instruction and the opportunity to develop and demonstrate leadership skills
#4 -- Monthly Check-ins. Our instructional staff will check-in with you and your child individually at least once a month to make sure his or her progress is on track and address any questions you have, or any obstacle he or she may be facing...in the dojang, at school or even at home.
#5 -- Student / Instructor Ratio. We employ several full time and professional martial arts instructors as well as many more part time instructors in all of our children's classes as well as limit class size. The class size limit and student-teacher ratio is determined by the age group and you can be assured that your child will be getting the right amount of attention each and every class.
