I posted “It’s Real and Spectacular” a week ago on a martial arts discussion board. I discussed the topic of teaching Filipino Martial Arts to young children.

Some martial artists raised concerns about my students’ young age and liability issues. One writer indicated his belief that children should be 8 to 10 years old and use padded sticks. I have seen several FMA websites advertising that they will not take anyone aged 12 to 16. These FMA sites usually do not state their reasons. I guess they believe that children do not have the requisite physical control to handle sticks and/or that they are not emotionally and mentally mature enough to practice Filipino Martial Arts like Modern Arnis.

While I agree that there are risks and liability issues associated with teaching martial arts classes, I do not agree with the sentiment that I should not teach young children Filipino Martial Arts. I currently have 16 students between the ages of 5 to 8 years old. Based on my experiences with children in this age range, they ARE capable of practicing with sticks, provided that there is strict supervision by the instructor and assistants.

Below is a mishmash collection of thoughts about teaching Filipino Martial Arts to 5 to 8-year-old children and making it safe and fun for them:

(1) “Your child will be handling sticks from the get-go.” When a parent brings a prospective student to try a class, I have an upfront conversation about Modern Arnis and that their child will be handling sticks in class. “Would you have an issue with this?” I ask the parents. To date, only one parent has said that they were not comfortable with their child handling sticks in class. That said, communicating with the parents right from the beginning is essential. To my delight, most parents do not have an issue with this. Many want their children to learn about Filipino culture through Filipino Martial Arts.

(2) Empty hand single sinawali: Once the child joins the class, the first thing they learn, right off the bat, is empty hand single sinawali, which is similar to patty cake games popular with children. Depending on the child, it usually takes 10 minutes or a couple of classes to learn single sinawali. Once they are comfortable with empty hand single sinawali, I put kiddie rattan sticks in their hands, and I will slowly practice single sinawali with them.  The key is to practice the single sinawali with me with control before they can pair off with a classmate. This usually does not take long.

(3) When a child pairs off with a partner for the first time, an assistant instructor or I will watch like a hawk to ensure no issues. The most common issue is the uncertain/hesitant performance of single sinawali with a buddy. In time, they will confidently perform single sinawali with their best friends!

(4) It is crucial to have one or two assistants in the class to address any safety issues immediately. For instance, we must constantly remind them to be aware of their surroundings when practicing single sinawali. Very often you’ll find one pair of kids practicing single sinawali too close to another pair of kids.

I often say “Spread out!”

(5) Respect for the stick is stressed throughout class. The kids know that if they drop a stick during class, they will do 5 pushups. The stick is not a plaything! I tell them constantly “treat the stick with respect!”  The delightful thing is that the kids are now voluntarily doing pushups after dropping a stick. Sometimes I would be so engrossed in helping a kid with something that I would turn around to see another one doing pushups. “What are you doing pushups for?” “Well, I dropped my stick and thought I better do my pushups.”  Or are they dropping sticks on purpose to get a few extra pushups?

(6) Using accidents as a teaching tool: While some instructors fear accidents, I use them as teaching moments. You’d be surprised how well 5 to 8-year-old children can diagnose what went wrong. For instance, Cara and Sonia were practicing single sinawali when Sonia hit Cara’s hand, which understandably hurt her. While Cara was out in the hallway getting her boo-boo kissed by her Mom, I asked Sonia what happened. She answered, with a sad look, “I hit her.” I asked her “do you know why that happened?” 5-year-old Sonia replied, “I was standing too close to her.” I was honestly impressed that she figured out the issue on her own and without any leading questions from me.

Kids learn very quickly, especially after an accident.

(7) The focus is on physical literacy and the basics of Filipino Martial Arts. Forget about turning these kids into mini Jason Bournes! We have enough work just teaching them beginner’s material such as the sinawalis, 12 angles of attack, basic block, check, counter, basic punches, and kicks. In addition, we are also working on proper form in pushups and jumping jacks. I also do social skills scenarios as well in class. In other words, it’s all basics.

(8) It’s not all sticks, all the time. This needs to be stressed. Due to their young age, we need to be mindful of the potential stresses of stick work on their wrists and elbows and think long term. I also stay away from certain stick techniques that I do not think is physically appropriate for children. An example would be the abanico movement (see below gif). I think that this technique is likely too stressful for a 5-year-old’s wrist and elbow.

Taking the long-term interests of the kids into consideration, I think it is appropriate to devote only half the class to the stick and the other half to empty-hand material. 

(9) Speech with new child student and parent: Many times, after a child has received their first pair of sticks, I will talk with the child in front of his/her parent and tell the child not to bring sticks out at home without their parents’ permission. This drives home the importance of respecting the stick.

(10) All work and no play make Jack a dull boy. A great way to drive home new lessons or techniques is through games. I don’t do games just for the sake of games. The games involve martial movement. Always. “Simon Says” is huge with the kids.  Lately, we’ve been focusing on multiple angles of attack. “Simon says, show me angles 1, 2, 8, and 4.” I tell you, the kids really get into this and have yet to tire of this game.

Bottom line: There is no doubt in my mind that 5 to 8-year-old children CAN train in Filipino Martial Arts so long as there is a culture of respect for the stick, attention to potential safety issues by the instructor, and stick training is done in moderation. They can do far better than most would expect. Don’t sell them short! 

In closing, I believe that children are not too young to learn Filipino Martial Arts. They can do it! My students are quick and eager learners! If young kids can participate in pee wee football or Timbits hockey, why not FMA?

Over to you readers, have you trained children in this age range? What are your thoughts?

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