letter to parents
It is our belief that children need structure in their lives and a strong support system of family, friends and mentors to encourage and enable them.
At Family Tree Karate, our goal is to help define this structure in a way that provides our younger students with well-defined guidelines, equipping them morally, emotionally, mentally, physically and spiritually for the everyday challenges of growing up.
Having structure allows the child to focus on improving themselves within acceptable guidelines, reaping the rewards of good behavior and understanding the consequences of inappropriate conduct.
Structure is not stifling and does not need to take away the freedom of a child. Structure provides a foundation for growth allowing children to become strong, self-disciplined, self-confident and self-reliant as they become young adults. Many times we have seen that with a strong sense of self, a young adult becomes a light in the world, passing on the road map that served them so well in their formative years.
These are the character traits that Family Tree Karate promotes and teaches:
We encourage Good Listening Skills, Focus, Respect for Others, Self-Confidence, Self-Discipline, Patience, Perseverance, Leadership and Selflessness.
Family Tree Karate offers a strong support system that is in complete harmony with your own everyday efforts to raise and nurture strong, respectful and happy children. We have been very successful in helping children become responsible young adults, and this is only achieved with your help and support.
We ask you to embrace and echo our fundamental teachings when it comes to perseverance. Only when and individual fully applies themselves to a particular pursuit, can they reap all the benefits and rewards it offers.
- We ask our students to be consistent with training, at least two days per week. Inconsistent attendance sometimes causes a child to feel embarrassed when they cannot remember our curriculum. Many children will want to give up rather than be embarrassed in any way. Inconsistent attendance that we do not question or challenge tells a child that no one really cares if they apply themselves fully or not.
- When a child says "I don't want to do this anymore", we do not simply say "okay." We believe we are not helping the child by doing this. We will quickly try to get to the root of the problem. We will sometimes suggest private lessons, and will always make them available if requested by a parent. Sometimes, the only issue is a lack of confidence, which can easily be overcome.
- We realize that karate is not a quick fix. If we do not see immediate improvement, we do not give up. We are patient. It is the reinforcement of the all the positive character traits over time as well as the child's gradual physical and emotional development that builds them into leaders as young adults.
- We do not criticize a child or compare them to others in the school. We are never embarrassed for our younger students, or for their behavior on the mat. Growth in the Martial Arts comes at different times and at a different pace for each individual. We do not promote it, nor should it be considered a competitive sport. Martial Arts is a way of life.
- We ask that parents inform us of changes in their children, positive or negative, as they occur so that we can respond accordingly. We try hard never to be in conflict with any of your family values or teachings. When parents of our younger students take same approach with the teachings of Family Tree, the results are often spectacular!
We take our role as instructors, mentors and an extended family support group very seriously. Let us know how we are doing and please give us suggestions on how to improve our service to you and your child.
With love and respect,
Shihan, Sensei and all the Sempi