Physical stages of development for young children practicing martial arts
The knowledge of the physical stages of development is a priority if you want to maximise the development of your martial arts students. Sometimes we…
Category: Child-Centred Coaching
The MAPLE Framework is a structured, research-informed approach to coaching children in martial arts.
It is built on principles from sports coaching, child development and education, with a clear focus on creating learning environments where children feel competent, connected and motivated to continue training long term.
For coaches, this means moving beyond simply teaching a set curriculum and towards designing and delivering sessions customised for each and every child. Considering their stage of development, their motivations and building a coaching environment that supports both their progress and their enjoyment of training.
Below, you’ll find articles that break down the key elements of the MAPLE Framework, along with practical strategies to help you apply them in your own classes.
Creating a system for categorising martial arts games for kids
I often hear of coaches talking about fun martial arts games or karate games for kids. A common theme is when one coach talks about…
Is strength training for children healthy?
When anyone mentions strength training for children some coaches will get a picture in their head of a young child trying to use the weights…
FUNdamental Movement Skills for children’s martial arts
Often abbreviated to FMS, FUNdamental Movement Skills describe the ability to move the body in specific patterns using different body parts. They cover both gross…
Gradings for young children in martial arts – are you comparing apples with oranges?
We all want the best for our young ninjas but how do gradings help us develop the children? Developing their skills, physical abilities and positive…
Do stickers motivate children if used as a reward in your children’s martial arts classes?
The answer to the question in the headline is ‘Of course they do, they motivate children to want stickers’. Though the answer to the question…
The curse of knowledge – the presumption of foundational skills and understanding
The Curse of Knowledge is when we make decisions based on the presumption of prior knowledge. While this can often happen when we are working…