Ages 6 to 12
Beginner Kids
Real martial arts and real life skills, for kids ready to build confidence, discipline, and the ability to stand up for themselves and others.
More than martial arts
As a parent, one of the greatest gifts you can give your child is a positive self-image, paired with respect, purpose, and compassion. That's the child who looks out for themselves and for others. Our Beginner Kids program is built to develop exactly that: kids who take what they learn on the mat and carry it into school, friendships, and home.
We do it through classes that are safe, exciting, and genuinely fun, but still challenging. Kids build a positive mental focus, an “I can do it” attitude, and a real love of exercise, along with self-confidence, self-discipline, and respect for themselves and others.
The curriculum
Kids start with the fundamentals and grow from there:
- Boxing and Muay Thai kicks
- Takedowns and elemental Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
- Our Bully Defense Program
- Strength, stability, and conditioning through games and drills
Alongside the physical skills, our mental and emotional curriculum is taught through samurai stories built on four pillars: Focus, Motivation, Belief, and Action.
A clear path forward
Beginner Kids is a one-year program with a real milestone at the end. Students test their skills to graduate to the next level, where they begin more advanced Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and start live kickboxing sparring. Progress here means something, and kids feel it every step of the way.
Confidence that stands up to bullies
Our Bully Defense Program gives kids the tools to handle conflict with calm and confidence. The goal isn't to raise fighters. It's to raise kids who are secure enough that they rarely need to, and capable enough to protect themselves and others if it ever comes to that.
FAQ
Common questions
What ages is the Beginner Kids program for?
Ages 6 (& in 1st grade) to age 12. It's the next step up from our Little Dragons program and the starting point for kids new to martial arts.
My child has never done martial arts. Is that okay?
Absolutely. We have a rotating curriculum and plenty of assistant instructors to teach each child where they are.
Do you help kids deal with bullying?
Yes. Our Bully Defense Program is a core part of the curriculum. We teach kids to handle conflict with confidence and to protect themselves and others when needed.
What will my child actually learn?
Boxing, Muay Thai kicks, takedowns, and beginner Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, plus conditioning and a life-skills curriculum that we designed built around focus, motivation, belief, and action. Our mission is to use martial arts to teach kids to be strong in difficult situations.
Is it safe? Do they spar?
Safety is built into how we teach. Beginners learn through controlled drills. Live grappling (BJJ) is done by carefully matching partners and supporting kids to use the moves they have learned. Live kickboxing sparring only comes later, after students graduate to the next level.
How does my child move up?
Beginner Kids is roughly an 18 month program with a belt ranking system that is very motivating for kids. As Beginners they earn 'tapes' based on attendance and then demonstrate their knowledge in a test that they must pass to graduate into more advanced training, including advanced BJJ and live sparring.
How do we get started?
Book a free intro class. Once you've done the free intro lesson and the instructor approves your class schedule you can sign up by paying your first month prorated plus purchase the enrollment package for $85. This includes a uniform, belt and tiny boxing gloves!
How long is the (kids, teens, Lil Dragons) program?
Our programs are ongoing and you start at any time. Typically kids move up through their belts roughly every four months if they are training 2-3 times per week and learning the skills taught in class.
Can my caregiver bring my child/teen to the free intro?
No, we require an actual parent attend the free intro. This way you get to see firsthand what your child is learning and we can connect directly vs through someone else. Once your child is enrolled a caregiver may bring them to classes.
How is PMA different from other dojos?
Practical Martial Arts was founded in 1993 with the idea that blending styles is the most effective for self defense. At that time MMA was in its infancy and PMA was the first in Marin to offer this type of training. In fact, ask almost any dojo owner in Marin and they will tell you that at some point they trained at PMA. Between Mike's 50 years of training and Karen's 25 years in martial arts and background as a credentialed school teacher, PMA's curriculum is carefully researched and crafted to provide every student not only technical skills but the ability to be strong in difficult situations.
Your child's first class is free
See it for yourself. Book a free intro and watch your child build confidence from the very first class.