Coronavirus (COVID-19) – A Character-Building Lesson

Hey FC Parents and Kids,

These are truly difficult times for all of us. I hope you are all safe and making the best of our new reality. Our children learn valuable lessons each and every day from the world around them. They learn from us, as parents, from family, from friends, teachers, and from the experiences they have. Lessons present themselves in many ways … Coronavirus (Covid-19) to me is a character-building lesson and moment in time. Our kids will be stronger for it in the long run if we talk about it in the right light.

As most of you know I have two children – Olivia (16 years old) and Julius (14 years old). This past week I have been talking to them about ‘self-discipline’. They have created their own routines of exercise, reading, writing, household chores, and outdoor walks. I’m holding them accountable to their daily routines and the ‘self-discipline’ it takes to complete everything without being distracted by TV, phones and video games. Kids should be mindful about choosing activities that will not only help obtain their goals but also help them make wise decisions each day. Being able to stay focused and on track is crucial for kids at school, at home and in their extra-curricular endeavours.

We will get through these tough times, together and become better for it. Please use these times and events wisely.

All the best and hope to see you soon,

emmanuel

PS – Feel free to record your kids doing some of the Systema exercise (pushups, squats, leg raises and body raises) and or the breathing exercise at home. Email it to me at em@fight-club.ca. Tell them its FightClub Homework assignment 🙂

March Break Closure & MMA Summer Camp

* FightClub will be closed for March Break from

Monday, March 16th – Saturday, March 21st *

FightClub Summer MMA Camp

Martial Art – Movement – Archery

Date: August 4-7

Time: 9am-4pm

Ages: 8-12 years old

Cost: $495

Class Size: 12 Students * only 4 spots remaining *

* Register by March 31st limited space available*

Why FightClub Camp?

* Learn first hand from the Head Instructor (not junior teachers)

* Small group size (1-12 ratio)

* Physically & mentally Challenging

* Focused on Personal Growth & Development

What does the daily schedule look like?

9:00to 10:15 am Movement Matters

10:15 to 10:45 am Break “Feel Play”

10:45 to 12:00 Archery – Lesson

12:00 to 1:00 Lunch Break

01:00 to 2:15 Martial Arts – Systema

2:15 to 2:45 Break “Free Play”

2:45 to 4:00 Archery – Tournament

What will the kids learn?

Martial Art (Systema)

– A comprehensive look at Systema Russian Martial Art

– Self Protection Focused

– Exploring all aspects of martial arts training

– Deep understanding of how to integrate lessons into life

Archery

– A complete Introduction into Olympic style archery

– Safely Rules and Range Etiquette

– Shooting Form

– Tournament scoring and matches

Movement Matters

– Physical & Mental Health Topics

– Strength, Flexibility, Coordination, Balance

– Breathing

– Mindfulness

* Official camp hours are 9:00 am to 4:00 pm daily.

Drop-off is available at 8:30 am, and we offer aftercare until 5:00 pm. Accommodations for extended care can be arranged at an extra cost. Please ask me if this is something you need *

FightClub Summer MMA Camp

FightClub Summer MMA Camp

Martial Art – Movement – Archery

Date: August 4-7

Time: 9am-4pm

Ages: 8-12 years old

Cost: $495

Class Size: 12 Students

* Register by March 31st limited space available*

Why FightClub Camp?

* Learn first hand from the Head Instructor (not junior teachers)

* Small group size (1-12 ratio)

* Physically & mentally Challenging 

* Focused on Personal Growth & Development

What does the daily Schedule look like?

9:00to 10:15 am Movement Matters

10:15 to 10:45am Break “Feel Play”

10:45 to 12:00 Archery – Lesson

12:00 to 1:00 Lunch Break

01:00 to 2:15 Martial Arts – Systema

2:15 to 2:45 Break “Free Play”

2:45 to 4:00 Archery – Tournemant

What will the kids learn?

Martial Art (Systema)

– A comprehensive look at Systema Russian Martial Art

– Self Protection Focused

– Exploring all aspects of martial art training

– Deeper understanding of how to integrate lessons into life

Archery 

– A complete Introduction into olympic style archery

– Safely Rules and Range Etiquette

– Shooting Form

– Tournament scoring and matches

Movement Matters

– Physical & Mental Health Topics

– Strength, Flexibility, Coordination, Balance

– Breathing

– Mindfulness

* Official camp hours are 9:00 am to 4:00 pm daily.

Drop-off is available at 8:30am, and we offer complementary aftercare until 5:00pm. Accommodations for extended care can be arranged at an extra cost. Please ask me if this is something you need *

Easy as 1-2-3

Hey FC Parents and Kids,

Most kids generate a little chaos and disorganization. Yours might flit from one thing to the next — forgetting books at school, leaving towels on the floor, and failing to finish projects once started. You’d like them to be more organized and to stay focused on tasks,  Is it possible?

Yes! A few kids seem naturally organized, but for the rest, organization is a skill learned over time. With help and some practice, kids can develop an effective approach to getting stuff done.

And you’re the perfect person to teach your child, even if you don’t feel all that organized yourself!

Easy as 1-2-3

For kids, all tasks can be broken down into a 1-2-3 process.

1] Getting organized means a kid gets where he or she needs to be and gathers the supplies needed to complete the task. For coming to FightClub it’s putting on their FC T-shirts on and getting a water bottle filled and packed.

2] Staying focused means sticking with the task and learning to say “no” to distractions. In FC class this means that when the teacher is talking they should sit facing the teacher, legs crossed, mouth closed and ears open.

3] Getting it done means finishing up, checking your work, and putting on the finishing touches. After class listen to the teachers’ final words and ask any questions about what you learned that day.

Not only is it practical to teach these skills, but knowing how to get stuff done will help your child feel more competent and effective. Kids feel self-confident and proud when they’re able to accomplish their tasks and responsibilities. Use the moments before coming to class to re-enforce getting organized. To me, learning happens before, during and after FC classes.

See you at FC,

emmanuel

Run Towards Learning

Although development was held by many to be the result of maturation, modern developmentalists are concerned with discovering the ways in which biological and environmental forces interact to produce developmental variations.

Development is viewed as a continuous process, whereby change over time takes place smoothly and gradually.  The more closely and more frequently we examine the child’s development, the more gradual the process appears.

There is continued debate as to whether situational influences or individual personality characteristics are more important in determining how stable a child’s behavior will be across varying contexts.

There are many contradictions posed to a child’s development by the presence of high-risk factors (such as family disintegration), poverty, illness, the child’s evolution in the quality of resilience, the ability to cope with such negative influences, and the ability to create a satisfying and useful life for himself/herself.

Learning Perspectives

Some believe development is a continuous process, which uses the same principles of learning across the life span. On this view, the child is relatively passive, molded by environmental factors that modify behavior.  Another important form of learning is imitation.  According to this theory, children are selective about who and what behaviors they imitate.

Most modern developmentalists believe that children actively shape, control, and direct the course of their own development; some, however, still hold that children are the passive recipients of environmental influence. Training in SYSTEMA at FightClub, I focus on utilizing both themes for the kids. The training classes have plenty of time for the kids have ‘play learn’ experiences. I try to teach as a ‘guide’ (rather than a dictator) and, in this fashion, I give the kids a chance to shape, control and direct their own development. On the flip-side all kinds of things happen during the classes – Bumps, bruises, arguments, agitations, silliness, laughter, etc. These things exist in all environments the kids are in (home, school or at FightClub). The main thing is not to avoid these things, but fill the room with love and positive energy. In this fashion they come away with a positive learning from all experience.

“We run towards learning, but we accept learning happens on its own whenever love exists” 

My approach with the kids is forward-thinking, active, and collaborative.  We don’t avoid real life, but rather understand and embrace it.

See you at FightClub!

emmanuel