A strong kids program is extremely valuable to most martial arts schools. It’s a major stream of income, and the foundation for building a strong adults class focused on competition. 

Yet, at the same time recruiting kids presents a completely different challenge to recruiting adult members, and many gyms struggle to consistently add new junior members. In this article, we’ll give you the blueprint for building out your kids program into a successful and integral part of your school and business, including: 

1. Making a strong first impression
2. Connecting with the parents
3. Winning over the children
4. Having fun while training
5. Rewarding effort and recognizing progress

Let’s dig in –

No gym owner goes through his career without any setbacks, so it’s important to be ready for them. One of the best ways to deal with setbacks is the ancient philosophy of Stoicism, which has been practiced since the times of ancient Greece and the Roman Empire.

It’s also used in modern times and gained popularity through the works of authors like Donald Robertson and Ryan Holiday. Some great minds of the past were also interested in this philosophy. Thomas Jefferson, Ralph Waldo Emerson and Theodor Roosevelt are just a few of them.

As instructors, we want our students to show up consistently, try their best, and put the work in.

But there’s the problem: 

Students sign up for classes and then drop like flies.

With student attrition rates so high, how do you motivate students to stay and put the work in?

During my time studying Teaching and Learning in graduate school, I discovered that a concept known as motivation is one of the biggest factors in learning. Moreover, intrinsic motivation is the most lasting and meaningful type of motivation for learning.