Aikido Journal

Joined: 18 Apr 2006 Posts: 1

I attended the “Teaching Aikido to Children Workshop” on April 1st and 2nd at the Aikido in Fredericksburg dojo located in Virginia. Very Happy

Sensei Aviv Goldsmith hosted nine workshop presenters and over 30 workshop participants whose passion for teaching Aikido to children drew them from all over the United States. The two days were filled with workshops including “Ukemi without the Ouch”, “Developmental Learning”, and “Integrating Aiki Weapons” as well as group discussions and lectures. A well-organized binder including presenter profiles, workshop curriculum, and related course material was given to each participant.

This workshop was welcome news for many Aikido instructors (including myself) who have been dealing with limited resources and perspective on the subject of teaching Aikido to children. The workshop presentations served to illustrate the complexity of teaching children, and included children – both experienced and beginner. Several participants assisted the Senseis by role-playing children, which allowed them to see the class dynamics internally. I enjoyed seeing the different teaching styles and learned new ways to keep children focused, and interested in learning. I also learned new ways of teaching rolling and high falls.

The group discussions were informative and synergistic as different Senseis shared their teaching experiences. We learned that children are not little adults, and teens (who may look like they inhabit adult bodies) are still developing and have different needs in the dojo. Sensei Aviv facilitated the group discussions, and ensured everyone’s “concerns and successes” were shared. On Saturday evening, Sensei Aviv hosted a dinner – networking session at his house where we continued to get to know one another by sharing ideas and experiences.

Those of us who teach Aikido to children can breathe a little easier knowing we are not alone in this effort, and that workshops like this can both affirm and enlightened us.

I want to thank Sensei Aviv and the Aikido in Fredericksburg dojo for having the vision that led to this workshop, and for the hard work involved in putting the workshop together. I also would like to thank all the presenters and participants (many who traveled a long way) for making this workshop a success.

With help from my Sensei (Dang Thong Phong), I have brought two young women to Shodan after more than five years of teaching them. Teaching Aikido to children is worth the effort and has improved their lives, and made the world a better place. Children represent our future. We owe it to them and ourselves to share the wonderful art of Aikido.

Mark Hopkins – Virginia Tenshinkai