Nokado Children’s Program

The Nokado School of Self‑Defense believes that children are the greatest natural resource that our country has. This belief is reflected in our Jiu‑Jitsu Program for children, which focuses on the concept of being the best you can be. We teach children the philosophy of "walking away" from a confrontation whenever possible, but to defend one’s self if left with no other options.

At Nokado, building confidence, self-esteem and encouraging self-discipline are the main goals of our children’s curriculum. Self‑defense is the pathway we utilize to achieve these goals. In this way, before children acquire the skills of self‑defense, they have already learned to use them responsibly.

Confidence is achieved by developing the ability "to do." When children are taught a technique and then, through practice, can perform it, they develop confidence. This sense of confidence transfers to all areas of the child’s life. At Nokado, we stress the belief of "positive affirmation." The words "I can, I will, I must" are commonly heard echoing throughout our schools. Believing in themselves and knowing they "can do it", makes children feel good about themselves.

At Nokado we also believe in instilling children with the "winning attitude." No one is ever left out on our team, everyone plays, and our team is a winning team. We encourage students to develop their own goals, and then teach them the skills to achieve those goals. This is part of the winning attitude. We believe in our children and praise them for the hard work they do. We also have incentives for younger students in the form of our Instructor Training Program, as well as occasional special guest instructors.

Benefits

Physical Development

The Nokado Jiu‑Jitsu Center curriculum incorporates a built‑in system for the improvement of one’s physical abilities. This system includes physical fitness, athletic ability, self‑defense skills, enhancement of one’s speed, power, and flexibility, and the development of well rounded and versatile martial artists.

Mental Development

Our Nokado Jiu‑Jitsu Center teaching system develops the individual’s abilities to focus and concentrate. To become highly skilled in the martial arts, one must be centered and focused, and the learning process emphasizes both these abilities through development of the student's concentration skills. Martial arts helps to develop strong minds by teaching that anything is possible. This is what develops the "Yes, I Can" attitude.

Spiritual Development

Martial arts teaches determination. Students learn to believe in themselves and what they are doing, and to never give up. They learn to put faith in their instructor’s ability to guide them to their next level of accomplishment and in their own ability to reach that level.

Character Development

Striving to develop a good character within ourselves is the facet that separates martial arts from other fitness programs and sporting activities. The development of an athlete is much simpler than the development of a martial arts student. Not only does an instructor have to work with the student to develop physical proficiency, he must also develop the mental skills and discipline. The Nokado Jiu‑Jitsu Center consistently demands respect, discipline, control, and a positive mental attitude from its students. An average martial arts school is one in which the students are skilled in the physical aspects of the program. A great martial arts school is defined by students who are well rounded and developed to perfection in all aspects of self-development. What separates a great martial arts instructor from an average one is an attitude of caring towards the students and determination to ensure that all four goals of the student creed are achieved. What defines an outstanding martial arts association is that it never sacrifices its ideals or values and strives to develop their students to their best potential.

Bullying hurts. Whether it’s in real life or online (cyber-bullying.) It can cause psychological and emotional scars that can last a lifetime. Regardless of whether your child is the victim of bullying or the one doing it, low self-esteem is usually the cause, and it will eventually lead to poor school performance, depression, and labeling.

Nokado School of Self‑Defense has the solution! Our bully defense program (sometimes called "bully-proofing") builds physical, mental, and emotional strength, while our students learn both self-respect and respect for others. Children who believe in themselves not only make poor targets for bullies, they learn to stand up and "find their voice." At the same time, children who were inclined towards bullying learn they don't need to intimidate others to feel self-worth.

Many parents worry that martial arts may make their child more aggressive, but in reality, it's the exact opposite. Martial arts teaches children self-control. Our students learn to stand up for themselves and their principles and to respond to bullying in the most effective manner, with physical force being the last resort. The advantage to the techniques we teach is that they are totally non-violent and are only applied in response to physical aggression, ensuring that they are never used for the wrong reason. Most importantly, our students learn they can walk away from trouble with courage and authority.