Our children's class focuses on developing a child's self-esteem, concentration, and respect for others. We try and make the class challenging yet enjoyable for the children. Children are taught both kung fu and arnis. Children are taught based on their individual skills and ability; not on belt ranking. Thus, the child focuses on learning and improving their martial arts' forms and techniques.     Children participating in Chin-na sparring CHILDREN AND THE MARTIAL ARTS Judging by material standards, today's children should be the happiest generation in history. They are without a doubt the wealthiest. They have more leisure time than ever before and are virtually free of responsibility. Why then, with so much time and opportunity for actualizing their happiness, are our children becoming more unhappy and alienated from society? The answer lies in the fact that children today have not yet learned self-discipline or patience. Fifty years ago children were often given the work responsibilities of an adult and required to have both patience and discipline to succeed in their tasks. Today, the necessities as well as the rewards of life are given to our children without any effort on their part. We must realize that our children need supervised responsibilities as they grow if they are to learn the discipline and patience that lead to character, stability, and a happy life. Obviously, our children need a disciplined atmosphere of instruction within which to grow and learn. Martial arts affords them this opportunity and presents them with the challenge to expand themselves. Furthermore, the philosophy of martial arts is a comprehensive approach to the achievement of full personal growth by improving the basic foundation of human mental and physical development. Mentally a person learns to gain control of his or her mind and consciousness with both an understanding of the subconscious and an awareness of his or her surroundings. Through this understanding, a person learns to be patient by knowing their limitations and learns self-discipline by knowing what to expect of his or her self. Physically, he (or she) develops techniques, poise, reflex, timing, balance, speed, power, and overall muscle tone. Children participating in classes are taught respect for the instructor, fellow students, and themselves through the strict discipline and customs which must be observed within the classes. Through the repetition of forms and techniques, they also acquire patience and perseverance, while sparring allows self-confidence to emerge as the individual grows in knowledge and ability. Martial arts training is more than a sport; it prepares a child to excel within the bounds of their art. By learning to excel under a controlled set of circumstances, the child has an opportunity to learn how to excel on his or her own. Martial arts then prepares a child to excel in all areas of life just as it teaches him (or her) to respect that excellence. Grandmaster Rick Ward