Trying something new

Last week my kids classes at Mullins started up again! For anyone interested in getting in on this session, by the way, it isn't too late. :D I wasn't too worried about the class for the 6 and up kids, since it's pretty much the same set from the summer session. I mean, other than the whole "holy cow this is all me" nervousness. I've taught kids martial arts classes off and on since I was, like, 15 but never completely by myself and never using a curriculum almost exclusively created by me with a completely new set of students. It's kind of scary! But it's also really good because I've been doing a lot of thinking and research and note taking and trial and error which really can't be anything but good for my own personal training. Anyway. What I was worried about was the toddler class. Dun dun dunnnnnnn!


But, seriously, they are soooo cute! And there are a couple more that aren't in this photo who are just as cute. Even better? Autumn is in my class. And her best friend Angelee might be joining in, too.


We're doing some things like animal stretching and running. I'm using those stars on the mat as the spots where they need to sit in seiza or stand for the next activity. It worked out really, really nicely. Also, Autumn has been going around saying, "seiiiiiiiiza" and then kneeling (which is seiza). I'm also teaching them to say, "onegaishimasu" which is kind of like a before the fact thank you or a please and "domo arigatou" which is an after the fact thank you. And the director's kids have come to teach the kids how to sing Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes in Japanese.


As far as martial artsy things, the kids are doing different rolls. Too, they are falling onto me and then I "throw" them and they have to roll away. We're doing some other stuff, too, but nothing heavy duty.


To get the idea of circles, really one of the most basic aikido concepts, one of the tools I'm using in both classes is a ribbon twirler. :) They are super fun.


And, of course, we are playing lots of games to teach gross motor skills annnnnd to tire them out. :D Have a 22 second taste:


I'm looking forward to seeing how this class goes over the remaining five weeks. I'm also looking forward to getting used to my new schedule because, omg, I was soooo tired by the time I got home on Thursday.

Oh! And a special thank you to Penny! She came and helped me out on Thursday which is why I have such adorable photos. And one reason Thursday went so amazingly smoothly.