Advice needed on dealing with children at grade school

**Whacker** · Posted On: 6/02/2009 4:42pm

Wall of text follows. So here's the scoop.

My wife teaches third grade and has suggested that I come visit her classroom every once in a blue moon when they have a school activity at the end of the day or so, other parents are there, etc. Every time save for one I've had conflicts with work and have been unable to do so. There is the possibility that I will be able to come to one that's going to happen in the near future, but I'd like some advice here.

First, I need to state that I have effectively no experience in dealing with children in school or group settings. The one time I did come visit her class was about 5 years ago, it felt a bit awkward to be honest.

Second, and the main reason I am asking, apparently it is known amongst the children that I train in martial arts. She has two children in her track that train, one of them I am positive is a TKD black belt. For reference, this is 3rd grade we are talking about. All of the other teachers in her grade level are our friends, and don't really help the situation by sometimes talking about it as well, AND they love singing the "Kung Fu Fighting" song around me.

Third, I do not have any experience teaching martial arts to children at all. The few times I've "instructed" was when I was injured and unable to keep up with my peers and I was put in with the adult white belts to help out.

Thus we get to the gist of my questions. If the situation arises that the topic of martial arts comes up, what is the best way to deal with this? I'd rather not talk about it honestly, but if needed, how do I approach this situation? Further, some of the kids in her class can be a bit rowdy at times, trips to the office are frequent. I do not know if this includes the two or three who train in martial arts, but I do know that children can be very arrogant, considering how far "outranked" I would be.

I guess I'm just looking for some advice in general here. As I said, I'd probably rather not get into the subject of MA, but if it does happen and cannot be avoided, I'd like some input on how to handle the situation, what's ok to talk about and what's not, if there's any topics or things to avoid, etc. I can think of a few extremely basic things to maybe show or tell the kids, but that strikes me as a Very Bad Idea© for a large number of reasons. Also to be clear, this is not a situation where I'm going to be asked to stand up in front of the class and teach or talk, I'm more of a fly-on-the-wall guest but may end up getting drug into the center of attention anyway. Finally, I'm going to take a giant, wild stab-in-the-dark guess that doing the Pink Belly thing is probably not a great idea either (for those who get this.. also /sarcasm).

Halp!

**1point2** · Posted On: 6/02/2009 4:45pm

This is where kata come in handy.

Seriously, what you need is quick wit, a generous sense of humor, and a gregarious laugh.

**ChickenBeakFist** · Posted On: 6/02/2009 4:56pm

You're over-thinking it. Just be a clown. Open with a harmless joke at the teacher's or principle's expense. Trust me on this one.

Next, teach a kid a simple but flashy move then have them do it on you. Ham it up when they do. If you can do any breaking even better.

If they ask you if you ever beat anyone up or something just tell a really over-the-top story like the one Steve Martin tells in Parenthood when he's dressed like a cowboy.

Just don't over-think it.

**Mtripp** · Posted On: 6/02/2009 7:41pm

You answer their questions directly. When they want a demo you say

"The ONLY place it is acceptable to do martial arts is in the dojo. Your classroom/playground/etc is not a dojo.

Move on from there.

**Mr. Fong** · Posted On: 6/02/2009 8:03pm

keep your pimp hand strong.

**Mr. Fong** · Posted On: 6/02/2009 8:06pm

(serious dis time)

be nice, dont give any hard contact if u ever end up demonstrating techniques,
be a good role model, e.t.c......and yeah, dont over think it Im sure your doing fine

**kikoolol** · Posted On: 6/02/2009 8:44pm

Kids are kids.

If the subject of martial training arises then just change it. They're kids, their attention span sucks, they probably won't even notice.

Make sure you make everyone you know there that you don't want to talk about MAs with the kids so they don't bring it up.

Demonstrate zilch. You don't have to if you don't want to. Just promise them at the end then "forget".

In last resort, proceed to lecture them on how rank doesn't mean **** and beat the crap out of the kiddy TKD black belt.

Then post it on Youtube.

**Tex** · Posted On: 6/02/2009 9:23pm

Originally Posted by Whacker

Wall of text follows. So here's the scoop.

My wife teaches third grade and has suggested that I come visit her classroom every once in a blue moon when they have a school activity at the end of the day or so, other parents are there, etc. Every time save for one I've had conflicts with work and have been unable to do so. There is the possibility that I will be able to come to one that's going to happen in the near future, but I'd like some advice here.

First, I need to state that I have effectively no experience in dealing with children in school or group settings. The one time I did come visit her class was about 5 years ago, it felt a bit awkward to be honest.

Second, and the main reason I am asking, apparently it is known amongst the children that I train in martial arts. She has two children in her track that train, one of them I am positive is a TKD black belt. For reference, this is 3rd grade we are talking about. All of the other teachers in her grade level are our friends, and don't really help the situation by sometimes talking about it as well, AND they love singing the "Kung Fu Fighting" song around me.

Third, I do not have any experience teaching martial arts to children at all. The few times I've "instructed" was when I was injured and unable to keep up with my peers and I was put in with the adult white belts to help out.

Thus we get to the gist of my questions. If the situation arises that the topic of martial arts comes up, what is the best way to deal with this? I'd rather not talk about it honestly, but if needed, how do I approach this situation? Further, some of the kids in her class can be a bit rowdy at times, trips to the office are frequent. I do not know if this includes the two or three who train in martial arts, but I do know that children can be very arrogant, considering how far "outranked" I would be.

I guess I'm just looking for some advice in general here. As I said, I'd probably rather not get into the subject of MA, but if it does happen and cannot be avoided, I'd like some input on how to handle the situation, what's ok to talk about and what's not, if there's any topics or things to avoid, etc. I can think of a few extremely basic things to maybe show or tell the kids, but that strikes me as a Very Bad Idea© for a large number of reasons. Also to be clear, this is not a situation where I'm going to be asked to stand up in front of the class and teach or talk, I'm more of a fly-on-the-wall guest but may end up getting drug into the center of attention anyway. Finally, I'm going to take a giant, wild stab-in-the-dark guess that doing the Pink Belly thing is probably not a great idea either (for those who get this.. also /sarcasm).

Halp!

MA for kids and parents is commonly seen as a SPORT first and self defense second.. By SPORT, i mean something to get Johnny away from the house and doing something with his time.. etc..

It's not so much that kids have shorter attention spans with Martial Arts as much as it is that they think Martial Arts are the same that they see on TV. I.E. Kung Fu, Karate, boxing, and UFC..

I remember that I used to do demonstrations with my friend at the rec center here.. basically.. he would just throw me and I would brake-fall on the mat for the entire time.. The kids sit in awe, and time goes by fast.. Just an example..

Tell the kids that drugs are bad, to stay in school, and not to be lazy after whatever you do.. If they ask you a question off topic.. just say, "Now little Johnny, if you pay attention to me and we stay on topic, one day you may be the strongest man in the world.. then shrug and say, "Who knows?".. LOL..

**Tom Kagan** · Posted On: 6/03/2009 8:43am

Originally Posted by Whacker

Wall of text follows. So here's the scoop.

My wife teaches third grade and has suggested that I come visit her classroom every once in a blue moon when they have a school activity at the end of the day or so, other parents are there, etc. Every time save for one I've had conflicts with work and have been unable to do so. There is the possibility that I will be able to come to one that's going to happen in the near future, but I'd like some advice here.

First, I need to state that I have effectively no experience in dealing with children in school or group settings. The one time I did come visit her class was about 5 years ago, it felt a bit awkward to be honest.

Second, and the main reason I am asking, apparently it is known amongst the children that I train in martial arts. She has two children in her track that train, one of them I am positive is a TKD black belt. For reference, this is 3rd grade we are talking about. All of the other teachers in her grade level are our friends, and don't really help the situation by sometimes talking about it as well, AND they love singing the "Kung Fu Fighting" song around me.

Third, I do not have any experience teaching martial arts to children at all. The few times I've "instructed" was when I was injured and unable to keep up with my peers and I was put in with the adult white belts to help out.

Thus we get to the gist of my questions. If the situation arises that the topic of martial arts comes up, what is the best way to deal with this? I'd rather not talk about it honestly, but if needed, how do I approach this situation? Further, some of the kids in her class can be a bit rowdy at times, trips to the office are frequent. I do not know if this includes the two or three who train in martial arts, but I do know that children can be very arrogant, considering how far "outranked" I would be.

I guess I'm just looking for some advice in general here. As I said, I'd probably rather not get into the subject of MA, but if it does happen and cannot be avoided, I'd like some input on how to handle the situation, what's ok to talk about and what's not, if there's any topics or things to avoid, etc. I can think of a few extremely basic things to maybe show or tell the kids, but that strikes me as a Very Bad Idea© for a large number of reasons. Also to be clear, this is not a situation where I'm going to be asked to stand up in front of the class and teach or talk, I'm more of a fly-on-the-wall guest but may end up getting drug into the center of attention anyway. Finally, I'm going to take a giant, wild stab-in-the-dark guess that doing the Pink Belly thing is probably not a great idea either (for those who get this.. also /sarcasm).

Halp!

LOL, you worry too much.

A bottle of vodka for you and cigarettes for the kids will do wonders.