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Why Aikido for Children?

 

Bullying has become a serious issue in Australia. According to the Australian Government’s anti-bullying initiative “Bullying No Way”, approximately one in four children experiences bullying at school.

Because of this, many martial arts schools promote combat skills as a solution. As parents, it can be difficult to decide which dojo is right for your child. We strongly encourage families to visit and experience different dojos before choosing the environment that best suits their child.

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At Kitayama Dojo, our children’s program is guided by two important questions:

• As an Aikido practitioner, what values do I want to pass on to my own child?

• As a parent, what would I want my child to learn in a dojo?

These questions form the foundation of our children’s classes.

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Our Philosophy: Bunbu Ryodo (文武両道)

 

Our dojo’s motto is Bunbu Ryodo — often misunderstood today as simply “balancing study and sport.”
Its original meaning is much deeper.

Bunbu Ryodo refers to cultivating character and culture (文) to properly govern strength and skill (武).
It represents the traditional Japanese understanding that true strength must always be guided by discipline, ethics, and responsibility.

 

In our children’s classes, we aim to nurture the next generation by developing both body and mind, helping children grow into calm, respectful, and reliable individuals — not fighters.

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What We Value Most in Children’s Training

 

While Aikido techniques are important, our highest priorities in children’s classes are:

✔ Good Posture

✔ Good Etiquette

Posture and etiquette learned during childhood become lifelong habits.

For this reason, we take a firm but caring approach to instruction.

Our belief is simple:
Strictness, when guided by care and consistency, is kindness.

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Children’s Classes (School Terms Only)

 

Classes are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays and are divided by age.

Kids Class (Ages 6–13) @ 16:45 – 17:45

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In our children’s classes, we focus on:

• Age-appropriate warm-ups to develop balance, coordination, and basic physical strength

• Traditional Japanese Kata-based training, allowing children to learn safely and progressively

• Partner practice that encourages kindness, cooperation, and awareness of others​

 

Aikido does not involve competition or sparring, which means:

• No pressure to win

• No fear of losing

• Children can progress at their own pace​

 

This environment is especially suitable for children who may not be naturally athletic, allowing confidence to grow gradually and safely.

 

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Emotional Growth & Confidence

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It is natural for some children to feel anxious when starting in a new dojo environment. In such cases, we ask parents to be gently firm and encouraging.

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With continued training, children often:

• Make new friends

• Overcome challenges they once found difficult

• Develop focus and emotional stability

 

Many parents tell us they notice a positive change — from nervousness to calm concentration — a transformation we find deeply rewarding.

 

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What Children Learn in Our Classes

 

🧠 Mental & Character Development

• Self-control and emotional regulation

• Calm decision-making under pressure

• Respect for parents, grandparents, family members, and others

• Gratitude and appreciation for people, shared spaces, and belongings

• Confidence balanced with humility

• Understanding freedom within discipline

 

🤝 Social & Ethical Values

• Awareness and avoidance of danger

• Care and consideration for others

• Respect for those who are weaker

• Understanding that true martial strength is never misused

 

🏃 Physical Development

• Ukemi (safe rolling and falling skills) to reduce injury risk

• Relaxation and body awareness

• Tai-sabaki (body movement) and Ashi-sabaki (footwork)

• Core strength, coordination, and reflex development

• Simple, practical techniques for self-protection — with the primary lesson always being avoidance and awareness

 

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Important Note on Our Teaching Approach

(Serious Aikido for Children too)

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Our dojo maintains higher expectations regarding behaviour and etiquette than many other programs.
This is because we practice Serious Aikido, and our instructors are equally serious about teaching.

Children are expected to show respect — to the instructor, to fellow students, and to the dojo itself.
When this respect is lacking, instructors may correct or discipline a child firmly and clearly, and at times this may occur in front of the class.

This is not done out of anger or emotion, but out of responsibility and care.

We believe that sincere instruction sometimes requires clear correction, and that learning to accept guidance is an essential part of a child’s growth.

If you are seeking a relaxed or purely recreational environment, or if this teaching style does not align with your family’s values, we respectfully ask that you consider a different program.

 

 

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⚠️ Conditions for Joining Our Dojo

(Important – Please Read Carefully)

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To ensure a safe and respectful training environment for all children, we require the following:

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✔ Attendance

• Generally, no make-up classes are offered for absences.

 

✔ Minimum Dojo Etiquette

• Children must be able to follow our Dojo Etiquette Guidelines (Click HERE).

 

✔ Behaviour & Focus

• Children must be able to:

  • Sit properly in Seiza (kneeling position)

  • Listen quietly and respectfully to the instructor

  • Avoid disturbing other students during training

 

👨‍👩‍👧 Parental Support (If Needed)

• If a child is unable to meet the above expectations:

  • A parent must join the class to assist the child

• If this is not possible:

  • We kindly ask families to enroll in a later term when the child is ready

 

These conditions are not punishments — they are in place to protect the learning environment and support every child’s development.

 

​We kindly ask that parents enroll your children only if you are ready to stand firm, even if your child wants to quit a few times. Your steadfast support is the key to your child’s growth in Aikido. We sincerely ask for this commitment so that neither your time and tuition, nor the dojo’s resources, are wasted.​

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Grading (Ranking)

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• We hold two formal gradings per year

• Participation is not compulsory

• Children may continue training indefinitely as white belts

 

We do not encourage grading for financial reasons.
If a student participates in grading, we ask that they follow our formal procedures.

 

Our dojo is affiliated with Aikikai, the world’s largest Aikido organization, with over 2,400 dojos in 140 countries. Grades obtained at our dojo are internationally recognized.

Please note: instructors cannot grade children upon request.

 

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Private Lessons

 

For families unable to attend our Upper Coomera dojo on Tuesdays or Thursdays, we offer private lessons at our Hope Island dojo.

Private lessons are ideal for:

• Children needing individual attention

• Those who prefer a quieter learning environment