Often, terms are used to describe the physical and mental benefits of karate and so; some of the more common references are listed below. It is for this reason that we have included some of the more common areas of a child’s development that a parent may be informed about where karate practice is often recommended in order to correct and equip a child.

Praxis
Also known as motor planning, praxis refers to voluntary and coordinated action. Karate goes further and develops the ability to anticipate the action of another and plan their movement in response.

Dyspraxia
Difficulty in conceptualising, motor planning, sequencing and carrying out unfamiliar actions in a skilful manner

Vestibular balance (spatial skill)
Receptors in the inner ear, that respond to the pull of gravity, providing information about the heads position in relation to the surface of the earth, which contribute to our balance and our sense of spatial orientation. The vestibular system sends signals primarily to the neural structures that control our eye movements, and to the muscles that keep us upright. These neural senses are exercised through focused karate movement such as balancing on one foot, turning stances and forward and sideways movement.

Bilateral coordination
The coordinated and simultaneous movement of left and right sides of the body, as when practicing punches and blocks where both hands move simultaneously in a smooth and flowing action.

Discipline
In the field of child development, discipline refers to methods of modeling character and of teaching self-control and acceptable behavior. Within the scope of Kidz Karate, this does not mean the administration of punishment. Note. The use of any single form of discipline becomes less effective if it is used all the time, a process psychologists call habituation. Therefore a variety of discipline techniques are adopted, such as positive teaching, distraction and intrinsic reward (rewards that come from the mere act of performing the behavior itself).

Muscle tone
Not to be confused with the concept of toning in physical exercise. Low or high muscle tone, refers to the tension in ones muscles when relaxed or in a resting state. The stretching exercises and karate movements greatly contribute to correcting and improving of muscle tone in children.

Tactile defensive
A tendency to react negatively to unexpected or light touch. Although karate has a knock on effect which improves this defensive behavior, it is an activity that is enjoyed by a child in his or her own space. An unhealthy response to tactile reception has obvious disadvantages for kidz in early development.

ADHD (Attention-deficit / Hyperactivity disorder)
A reference to ones ability to attend to and stay focussed on tasks, control ones impulses and regulate ones activity level. This is a neurologically based disorder with symptoms of hyperactivity, inattention and / or impulsivity.

SPD (Sensory process disorder)
Difficulty in the way the brain takes in, organises and uses sensory information, causing a person to have problems interacting effectively in the everyday environment. Sensory stimulation may cause difficulty in ones development, emotions, attention, relationships or adaptive responses.

Autism
A lifelong neurological disability, usually appearing during the first three years of life, which severely impairs the persons sensory processing, verbal and non verbal communication, social interaction, imagination, problem solving and development.

Body awareness, body percept or body schemes
The mental picture of ones own body parts, where they are, how they interrelate and how they move, as practised when stepping forward in a stance while punching and not having to look at the feet.

Crossing the midline
Using a hand, foot or eye on the opposite side of the body. As with a downward block, placing the right hand on the left ear and then blocking across the body.

Eye hand coordination
The efficient team work of the eyes and hands, necessary for activities such as playing with toys, dressing and writing.

Fine motor
Referring to movement of small muscles in the fingers, toes, eyes and tongue.

Gross motor
Referring to movement of large muscles in the arms, legs and torso.

Kinesthesia
The conscious awareness of joint position and body movement in space, such as knowing where to place ones feet when climbing stairs, without visual cues.

Learned helplessness
The tendency to depend on others for guidance and decisions, to lack self help skills and to be a passive learner, often related to poor self esteem.