Special Needs 4-7

Empowering Special Needs Students 4-7 Through Martial Arts

Our specialized martial arts class is designed to provide a supportive and inclusive environment for children 4 -7 with unique learning needs. The Special Needs class is offered as an extension through the Little Dragons 4-7 program. It complements the standard class rather than replacing it. We understand that every individual is different, and our program is tailored to address the specific challenges and strengths of each student. The class is at 5 to 5:30 pm on Tuesdays throughout the year. A parent or guardian must be on the mat with the child throughout this class.

Understanding the Basics and how martial arts can help

• Physical limitations: Some children might have mobility issues or difficulties with coordination.
• Cognitive challenges: These could include attention deficits, processing disorders, or autism spectrum disorders.
• Behavioural issues: Children might have anxiety, aggression, or sensory sensitivities.

Creating a Safe and Inclusive Environment

• Establish clear rules: Set simple, consistent rules that are easy to understand and follow. Help children understand boundaries, structure, expectations, and consequences.
• Provide positive reinforcement: Praise and rewards for effort and good behaviour.

Martial Art Engaging Activities

• Focus on fundamental skills: Teach basic movements, balance, and coordination in a fun and engaging way. Using games and activities that cater to different learning styles.
• Incorporate sensory input: Use a variety of sensory experiences to stimulate learning and engagement. This might include movement through exercise and music.
• Provide individual attention: Personalized support from Instructor and Parent and guidance to meet the specific needs of each child.
• Encourage teamwork and cooperation: Foster a positive and supportive learning environment where children can work together and celebrate each other's successes.

Building Relationships and Communication

• Collaborate with parents: Work closely with parents to understand their child's unique needs and develop a personalized learning plan.
• Model appropriate behaviour: Demonstrate positive behaviour and social skills to help children learn and develop.

Guide to 30-Minute Special Needs Martial Arts Class Structure

The goal: To provide an engaging, educational, and rewarding experience for both children with special needs and their parents, creating a supportive and inclusive environment. Here’s a structured approach to achieve this:

1. Expectations

• Roles: The child is the learner, and the parent is a support partner, assisting, encouraging, and modelling behaviour rather than instructing. A parent or guardian must be on the mat with the child throughout the class. 
• Warm Welcome: Engendering a positive, open atmosphere where both parents and children feel comfortable. Many positive benefits of working together to support the child’s growth, and create a nurturing space for shared learning.

2. Warm-Up

• Simple, Fun Exercises: Accessible exercises like partner stretches, mirror drills (where one person mimics the other’s movements), coordination exercises, and balance games. Helping everyone ease into the class.
• Parent-Child Interaction: Activities and movements to build connection, focus, and coordination right from the start.

3. Basic Techniques with Partner Drills

• Role Reversal Drills: A basic technique that the parent can demonstrate first. For example, if practicing a basic block, the parent shows the child slowly, and then the child mirrors it with the parent's guidance. This approach builds comfort and confidence in the technique.
• Parent as Pad Holder: If using pads or gloves, the parent holds them while the child practices. This allows for immediate feedback and encouragement in a controlled, safe way, boosting confidence and reinforcing the child’s learning.

4. Practice Together with Cooperative Activities

• Team Games or Mini-Challenges: Include small team games where parent and child work together to complete tasks, like a simple technique. This builds teamwork and makes the practice enjoyable.
• Feedback and Encouragement: Encourage parents to give positive feedback and acknowledge their child's progress throughout the activities. This fosters motivation, focus, and a sense of achievement.

5. Incorporate Self-Control and Focus Exercises

• Mindfulness and Breathing Drills: Introduce a short segment on breathing exercises where both parent and child focus on stillness and energy control. Parents can model calmness, helping children understand how to slow down and manage their energy.
• Listening Drills: Drills that emphasize listening skills, such as a "Simon Says" game integrating martial arts stances. This encourages patience, attention, and following instructions.

6. Reflection and Stretching

• Cooling Down: End with stretching exercises that both parent and child do together, focusing on flexibility and relaxation.
• Reflect Together: Children and parents to share something they enjoyed or found challenging. This reflection time lets children think about what they learned and gives instructors insight into each child’s progress and challenges.

7. Reinforce Skills to Practice at Home

• Fun Homework: One simple exercise or technique they can practice together at home to keep learning continuous. This encourages parent-child engagement outside of class.
• Build Anticipation for Next Class: Briefly share what will be covered next time, helping both the child and parent feel prepared and motivated.

Foundational body movements that are especially beneficial for children with special needs, supporting motor development, coordination, and body awareness:

• Balance and Posture Control: Practicing standing on one leg or walking along a line enhances stability, core strength, and spatial awareness.
• Cross-Body Movements: Movements where one hand or foot crosses over the centre of the body (like touching the left knee with the right hand) help improve coordination and activate both sides of the brain.
• Squats: Learning to bend the knees and lower the body helps with balance, leg strength, and posture, all essential for everyday movements.
• Reaching and Grasping: Reaching for objects and practicing different grip strengths enhance fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
• Pushing and Pulling: Controlled movements like pushing against a wall or pulling a resistance band build arm strength and coordination.
• Stepping in All Directions: Practicing forward, backward, and side steps helps with spatial awareness, stability, and control, aiding in safe movement.
• Jumping and Landing: Small jumps, hopping, and controlled landings improve leg strength, balance, and coordination, as well as muscle awareness.
• Rotation and Twisting: Gentle torso twists or rotating movements improve flexibility and body control, helping with daily activities like turning.
• Crawling or Animal Walks: Crawling or imitating animals like bears or crabs strengthens core, arm, and leg muscles and helps improve coordination.
• Body Awareness Exercises: Using props like mats for rolling, stretching, or balancing develops body awareness, which is fundamental for navigating space safely.

Practicing these movements consistently builds the foundation for other physical skills and promotes confidence, independence, and a sense of body awareness in a variety of environments.

This structured approach creates a balanced learning environment for children with special needs to develop martial arts skills with encouragement and guidance. Parents play an active role in supporting their child’s progress, fostering critical life skills such as discipline, patience, focus, and self-confidence.

Join us and discover the transformative power of United Martial Arts & Fitness for special needs students.