Inducting the Newest Generation of Karate Kids

Being two isn’t quite so terrible at Action Karate Newtown, where two- to four-year-old kids are actually encouraged to kick and punch.

Along with a parent or caregiver, the students gather for Kinder Karate on Saturday mornings at 9:15. They bow in and say their class creed before diving into the fundamentals of karate.

“This class is a great lead-in to being on the floor,” said Ken Ogborn, enrollment director. “Parents are in there helping them learn to socialize and build the social skills they need to do this on their own when they’re ready.”

Kinder Karate is run by co-owner Anne Ogborn and special needs instructor Carolyn Grace, both of whom get a real kick out of the kids (literally and figuratively).

“We broke boards the other week, and the kids were so funny -- they couldn’t believe they were allowed to break something,“ said Grace. “At first they may be scared or clinging, but then they get these big smiles on their faces when they punch for the first time.”

According to the instructors, karate at any age is especially beneficial to students with special needs thanks to the structured training techniques and positive feedback used during class.

“Karate is great for any type of kid -- you never really know until you try,” said Anne Ogborn.

Now in its first full year, the class is designed to strengthen not only the children’s bodies, but their bonds with their adult caregivers. According to parents like Jeannemarie Kuhen of Yardley, it’s meeting that goal.

“My husband and I take turns on the floor with Brockton. We love seeing him enjoy it and get excited about participating,” Kuhen said of her two-year-old son. “He loves it, and I like that the teachers are instilling discipline and teaching them socialization skills like taking turns.”

Fellow mom Jacki Pitkow said her two year old, Andrew, relishes the chance to go to karate like his older brother, Alex.

“He had some interest after coming to the facility with his big brother, and this gives him the basics for what he’ll do in karate, like stances he'll see and words he’ll hear. The class is energizing and interactive for him, and allows him to follow directions and interact with other kids and families,” Pitkow said.

Participants earn a white belt after achieving a specific goal, such as attending a certain number of classes.

“It’s not about what they can or cannot do,” Anne Ogborn said. “Some kids get it right away, and others are here to play; that’s okay, we want it to be fun.”

Kinder Karate offers flexible five-week sessions that don't need to be taken consecutively. When participants shows signs of being ready, they’re moved up to the next level class.

“When they’re doing things on their own and don’t want their parents helping any more, that’s a good way for us to know it’s time to move up,” said Ken Ogborn.

To learn more or to register, visit http://www.karatenewtown.com/.