Youth Martial Arts Program

The Summer of Innovation is here! When you don’t Evolve you Dissolve! What you are doing today will soon be old news. Our goal with the Summer of Innovation Program is to help our students have an exciting summer of special events, great experiences and training sessions that will keep them motivated, improve their skills and create new friendships and memories that last forever! Below is an outline of our New Youth Martial Arts Program.

Basic Martial Arts
We start with Creating Champions from the inside.
Building confidence and learning Martial Arts basics
in small steps. Improving physical strength and becoming
champions.

Higher Level Training
We step up the training to a higher level program called the
LEADERSHIP Program. The students go up another level
and become martial arts athletes leaders in our community,
and champions in the game of life.

Character Development Program
Repetition of life skills in karate class, in the classroom, and at
home start to become a way of life.

The Black Belt Test
High performance martial arts techniques and a strong
character start to really develop to a high level. Students
turn into martial arts warriors. Fast, powerful, and confident
strong Black Belts.

Advanced Curriculum, Leading and Teaching
All Leadership students learn advanced techniques and begin
learning how to teach and lead others.

Kung Fu Panda 2 Training Class

Kung Fu Panda 2: Dragon Warrior Challenge.

The first 15 students to reach 15 points will win Kung Fu Panda 2 prizes!!

This will be a DOUBLE Points event. So that means Students can earn points for each of the following missions:

• Friend Attends training class = 4 points for Student
• Friend enrolls in summer program = 20 points for Student

Master the skills of the furious five!

Using the promotional movie “The Secrets of the Furious Five,” and positive martial arts instructors, the kids attending our training class will be working on their patience, courage, confidence, self-control, and respect – without even knowing it! Our class will focus on using an exciting martial arts class with the theme of Kung Fu Panda 2 for character development. The students will leave our school happy with new level of self-esteem.

Bring a buddy to share this FREE training class with! We’ll see you on Friday, June 3rd, from 6:45PM – 7:45PM!

Kung Fu Panda 2: Dragon Warrior Challenge

The Panda-monium has begun! In honor of the release of Kung Fu Panda 2 we are starting up a fun, exciting, and totally AWESOME contest: The Dragon Warrior Challenge.

Every time you bring a new friend or family member in to an event or for a free lesson you earn Dragon Warrior points. The first 15 students to reach 15 points will win the following Kung Fu Panda 2 prizes:

• T-Shirt (Youth M-Youth XL Available)
• Beach Ball
• Playing Cards
• 2 Pencils
• Mini Movie Poster
• 2 Removable Tattoos

Students can earn points for each of the following missions:

• Friend Attends class = 1 point for Student
• Friend Attends training class = 2 points for Student
• Friend Attends summer camp = 5 points for Student
• Friend enrolls in summer program = 10 points for Student

Get the new Kung Fu Panda 2 VIP Passes and get started towards winning your prizes. Here are suggestions to help you win our totally AWESOME prizes:

• Kung Fu Panda 2 Training Class (Friday, June 3rd 6:45pm-7:45pm)
• Summer Camp #1 (July 11th – July 15th)
• Summer Camp #2 (August 22nd – August 26th)

Invite these people:

• Family members
• Friends
• Classroom friends
• Parents and parents’ friends
• Sports team
• Businesses
• Church, Boy/Girl Scouts Group or organization you belong to

Invite everyone you know so you can win!

Personal Achievement Academy Power Bands are in!!

OOH YEAH…Guess what came in today?? Our Personal Achievement Academy Powerbands!!

Quick Reminder: Students who have earned 150 points or higher on their Monthly Handout will earn 1 Gold Star & A Power Band.

Kid Power Bully Defense Course (01.14.11)

Here at ATA Martial Arts of Branchburg we were sad to find out that almost 10% of school age children are the victims of a bully. Bullying is most common by the second grade and occurs throughout life. Bullying can be both physical and verbal, and can range from mild teasing to pushing and hitting. Bullying is even done quite often on the internet.

The team of instructors at ATA Martial Arts of Branchburg, New Jersey is trying to make a difference by building strong leaders in the community through Songahm Taekwondo and Martial Arts. It concerns us that children are being victimized by their peers. Being a victim of a bully can lead to a child avoiding school and developing anxiety about attending class.

Research and various case studies show us that victims of bullies are usually stereotyped as being loners, passive, quiet, sensitive, anxious, and with low self-esteem they are often smaller and/or weaker than the other children of the same age and they may even come from an overprotective home. Being a victim of a bully can cause your child to feel insecure, lower their self-confidence and have feelings of low self-worth and poor self-esteem. This may ultimately lead to depression and/or violence, either against themselves or against the bully. “Awareness is the key for parents, watching for changes in attitude, behavior and daily actions” states Mr. Cory McNallan, School Owner and Chief Instructor at ATA Martial Arts of Branchburg.

Unfortunately, victims of bullies often do not seek help or confide in anyone about the bullying, either because of shame or embarrassment or fear that it will be worse if the bully finds out. It is important to look for signs in your children. One of these signs could be, school avoidance behaviors, especially chronic nonspecific complaints, such as headaches or stomachaches, or they may have trouble sleeping. Also, if your child seems afraid or anxious about going to school, has a change in his/her personality or his/her behavior, or a change in his/her grades, you should consider that he/she may be a victim of a bully at school. ATA Martial Arts of Branchburg teaches students and the youth within the community “LIFE SKILLS” that will change a child’s life and teach them…”Don’t Be A Target” and Don’t Be A Victim” in life. “Quality Life Skills such as; Self-Respect, Self-Esteem, Self-Confidence and enhanced social skills offer our students the ability to manage these concerns” states, McNallan.

If you suspect that your child may be a victim of a bully, you can ask them if they are being teased at school, or ask more open-ended questions, such as “What do you like to do at recess?” or “Who do you sit with at lunch?” Be open and listen to your child and most of all utilize your instinct as a parent.

Children are most often bullied at school, usually on the playground or at lunchtime when children are more likely to have minimal supervision, or it may occur in the hallways between classes or on the school bus. In any situation, the better supervised children are, the less likely that bullying will occur. Role playing on how to deal with verbal and physical bullying is taught in classes at ATA Martial Arts of Branchburg, New Jersey.

Children who are bullies may have problems with low self-esteem, but newer theories argue that bullies are driven more by a desire to have power over others and to be “in control” because they have poor self-esteem and that they have little empathy for their victims. They may also be aggressive, bossy, controlling, have a low level of self control, and have difficulty making friends. Bullies are also more likely to develop criminal behaviors as adults. Characteristics such as these are not accepted or healthy in any community. ATA Martial Arts of Branchburg teaches how to strategically recognize, manage and deal with such improper behavior.

While this may help you understand why a bully acts the way they do, this doesn’t necessarily help your child deal with the problem when it occurs. ATA Martial Arts of Branchburg offers classes that deal directly with these concerns. Things that you should avoid include teaching your child to fight back, since they may get hurt and it may also get him/her in trouble at school. We need to teach our children to be assertive and to show self-confidence at all times. Interact socially, and become a user of quality life skills that will protect them from becoming a victim.

Parents often turn to enrolling their children in a martial arts program, and while this can be helpful to build their self-esteem and help them be more assertive, the goal of taking the classes should not be so that he/she can fight back but to instill confidence and enhance their self-esteem. ATA Martial Arts of Branchburg teaches a powerful, and inspiring Program “Kid Power Bully Defense Course” through quality life skills they learn the … “Don’t Be A Target” program. First and foremost they need to demonstrate and hold themselves in a manner that is not one that bullies see as a target. Second, they learn “Self Defense” through verbal practice and physical drills and skills students become aware of how a bully may attack them as an individual.

It may also help to talk with school officials about the problem (so that they can better supervise your child, observe the bully and intervene when necessary) and teach your child not to respond too strongly to the bully (either by crying or giving in to demands), because the bully is more likely to continue bullying your child if he/she knows that they will get a response.

Schedule a meeting between the parents of the children involved and school officials so everyone is aware and the potential and harmful threat may be dealt with.

ATA Martial Arts of Branchburg can teach your child to walk away (but while staying calm and not running), tell the bully to stop and leave him/her alone, or to use humor and come up with a good comeback when a bully teases him/her. It can also help if your child has high self-esteem and if he/she has some strong friendships, so that he/she is less of a target. Teaching your child to make eye contact with others (especially the bully) and to talk with a strong voice may also help. Role playing situations where he/she is bullied may be helpful in teaching how to respond.

It is also important for the bully to understand that bullying is not acceptable and will not be tolerated. If the bullying behavior or other aggressive behaviors persist, then he/she may need to speak with a trusted adult like a family member, friend or even their martial arts instructor as a mentor.

No one should ever become a Target or Victim in life. ATA Martial Arts of Branchburg takes bullying serious and stands to protect the youth within the community. STAND UP & STAND PROUD!

ATA Martial Arts is offering a Kid Power Bully Defense Course to help children understand the consequences of bullying and being bullied. Call today and enroll now!

Date: Friday, January, 14th
Time: 7:30pm – 8:30pm
Location: ATA Martial Arts of Branchburg
Street: 999B US Hwy 202N
City/Town: Branchburg, NJ 08876
Phone: 908.541.9800

Kidz ‘N Power Bullying Prevention Program

Creating a HAPPIER Community
Bullying Prevention thru Olweus and Songahm Taekwondo

Bullying is one of the most difficult issues that students, parents and educators might encounter in or out of school. Discipline, order and respect are mainstays of Songahm Taekwondo, but many instructors offer additional support with presentations from the The Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, the most researched and best-known bullying prevention program available.

Learn more about bullying, how to prevent or resolve it, and more about the Olweus program

Protect your children with bullying prevention skills and strategies by calling ATA Martial Arts of Branchburg to inquire about our upcoming seminar based on the Olweus program.

Event: Kidz ‘N Power Bullying Prevention Program
Date: Friday, July 30th
Time: 7:30pm – 8:30pm
Cost: FREE!! Bring a Friend!!

Put an End to School Yard Bullies – Part ONE

By Shei Franco

Reading, writing, arithmetic, name calling, teasing and pushing. They all have something in common.

You might be surprised to know they all are taught in school. Perhaps only three are actually part of the curriculum, but the rest are just as prevalent. Even if a child is not the victim of harassment, chances are he has witnessed students under attack.

For some parents, the topic of bullying seems irrelevant. After all, the sweetly dressed 5–year-old at the bus stop can’t possibly be a threat. But, according to Lori Linden, an elementary school guidance counselor in Millcreek, Pa., bullying can start at any age. “As early as kindergarten, [there is] pushing in line and making demands to other children,” Linden says.

How Bullying Starts

Teachers and parents need to identify children who bully. Classroom and household sanity depends on it. While most parents concentrate on whether their child is being bullied, they should not ignore the possibility that the bully might belong to them.

“The bully usually exhibits disrespectful behavior, in general, to peers, teachers and others,” says Brien O’Callaghan, a clinical psychologist and marriage and family counselor, in Bethel, Conn. “The disrespect may be obvious or subtle. There is usually an arrogant, know–it–all, sarcastic attitude. There are also usually other signs like academic underachievement, other misbehaviors like stealing and a pattern of making excuses for misbehavior and blaming others.”

While these signs indicate an underlying character issue, O’Callaghan adds that nothing is certain. “It is important to note that it is also possible that the bully will keep a low profile and not be easily identified,” he says.

How to Tell

Most parents do not witness their child being bullied. They believe, in good faith, that a teacher or adult that cares for their child will notify them of any harassment. Unfortunately, that doesn’t always happen.

How, then, can parents know when their child is being bullied? O’Callaghan warns that uncovering the victim is not always easy. He points out the child may feel embarrassed, threatened or may simply believe that her claims will fall on deaf ears.

In the theme of the new Karate Kid movie, students and their buddies will learn how to deal with bullies and defend themselves if anyone tries to hurt, hit, or grab them. Students and their buddies will also learn the negative effects that being a bully has on a kid. We’ll also do some of the techniques and exercises that the main characters from the Karate Kid movies used when training (catching a fly with chopsticks and other fun games).

The first 20 kids and their friends that come to the seminar will get a FREE Karate Kid poster, and other Karate Kid prizes. This seminar will be PACKED, so RSVP right away by calling us at 908.541.9800 or email Info@ATABranchburg.com.

Date: Saturday, June 26th 2010
Time: 12:00pm – 1:30pm
Location: ATA Branchburg
Street: 999B US Hwy 202N
City/Town: Branchburg, NJ 08876

How Children Can Discourage Bullying

Children can take steps to discourage bullying. A basic strategy is to hang out with friendly kids at school and to stay away from those who seem not to like them.

Bullying is also less likely to occur when children are in groups and are in areas supervised by adults. For example, children who wish to avoid being bullied can:

* Play or take breaks near adults while at school.

* Walk to school with older brothers and sisters or friends.

* Sit near the bus driver.

These strategies are only effective when schools have firm policies in place against bullying. Staff must be trained and supported in consistently enforcing these policies.

Children who bully look for an easy target. Bullies are less likely to pick on those who:

* Can quickly respond to threats in a self–assured way. Help your child practice what to say if he or she is bullied.

* Act confident and do not seem easily scared. Help your child learn to use strong body language, such as standing up straight, looking other children in the eye, and speaking firmly.

In the theme of the new Karate Kid movie, students and their buddies will learn how to deal with bullies and defend themselves if anyone tries to hurt, hit, or grab them. Students and their buddies will also learn the negative effects that being a bully has on a kid. We’ll also do some of the techniques and exercises that the main characters from the Karate Kid movies used when training (catching a fly with chopsticks and other fun games).

The first 40 kids and their friends that come to the seminar will get a FREE Karate Kid poster, and other Karate Kid prizes. This seminar will be PACKED, so RSVP right away by calling us at 908.541.9800 or email Info@ATABranchburg.com.

Date: Saturday, June 19th & Saturday, June 26th 2010
Time: 12:00pm – 1:30pm
Location: ATA Branchburg
Street: 999B US Hwy 202N
City/Town: Branchburg, NJ 08876

Karate Kid Bully Defense Workshop

In the theme of the new Karate Kid movie, students and their buddies will learn how to deal with bullies and defend themselves if anyone tries to hurt, hit, or grab them. Students and their buddies will also learn the negative effects that being a bully has on a kid. We’ll also do some of the techniques and exercises that the main characters from the Karate Kid movies used when training (catching a fly with chopsticks and other fun games).

The first 20 kids and their friends that come to the seminar will get a FREE Karate Kid poster, and other Karate Kid prizes. This seminar will be PACKED, so RSVP right away by calling us at 908.541.9800 or email Info@ATABranchburg.com.

Date: Saturday, June 19th, 2010
Time: 12:00pm – 1:30pm
Location: ATA Branchburg
Street: 999B US Hwy 202N
City/Town: Branchburg, NJ 08876

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