Today’s Training Tip is about the importance of keeping a Training Journal for your child to help them retain the mass amounts of techniques that the martial arts offers. I see many of you video tape class (which is awesome!), but I’d love to give some tips on how your child can keep a journal (and how you can help them if they are younger).
Why Journal?
1st and foremost because keeping a journal accelerates the learning process!
One of my mentors, Jim Rohn, has a famous quote that reads, “be a collector of good ideas, but don’t trust your memory. The best collecting place for all of the ideas and information that comes your way is your journal.”
The martial arts literally has an infinite amount of moves.
New moves are being created right now as you read this. Writing down the techniques that your child learns will help them to retain the information and give them a platform to look at if they have questions. If your child is not of the age to write out on their own – do it for them and/or help them. Allowing them to draw sketches and pictures will give them a sense of personalization.
If they are able to write, supervise their writing and discuss it with them! Go a step further and practice with them!! (Make sure you tap when you feel Pressure, not Pain! )
I’d suggest doing the following: video tape the technique in class, watch the technique with your child, have them write out the step by step instructions and do this right after class in the lobby or at home.
Writing it out is another form of repetition and will allow them to visualize the move in their mind as they write – which is super important!
Next week I will put out Part 2, which will explain EXACTLY what to put in your training journal and how to organize it! For now, go to the store and have your child pick out their training journal – it should be something that “sings” to them!