Jumping back to technology:  This whole idea of feeling satisfaction where you ARE makes me wonder whether smart phone and tablet apps have caught on to the idea of supporting kids with motor/language challenges so they can feel the same type of academic/artistic success their typical peers would feel.

I found some suggestions on a site called  One Place for Special Needs that has a resources page where parents give suggestions for apps for kids.  Check it out!

I'd love to hear if any of you have tried these apps or if you have suggestions of your own.

Apps for special needs kids

I've been working with web-design software for about 12 years now, and it is SO wonderful to find things that make the job easier.  Where I used to have to check my code because I didn't trust my GUI, I now can build and revise my website with just a few mouse clicks and see it published immediately.  I am not a programmer, nor do I play one on TV; I like to create my own stuff with my own hands and I like tools that actually DO their job so I can enjoy the satisfaction of what I CAN do!

When I teach my new kids karate, I try to be like the new web-apps out there.  I give the kids enough to explore their own abilities within the framework of the skill and let them enjoy the satisfaction of what they CAN do right then. 

It was wonderful last week to have in my KinderKickers class (5-10 yr olds) some of my older, more advanced students (they were warming up on the tramp waiting for their class.)  I pulled them down into the KK class because we were working on bag kicking drills and everyone can do those regardless of who is next to them.

We wound up working on the side-kick family of skills and we got to the point where I had KKs doing their "running jumping turning flying heel kicks" next to my advanced belts doing flying turn side kicks.  It was so cool to watch this spectrum of skills in one place.  And, of course my students helped and learned form each other.  The "medium" guys got intense because the "big" guys were yelling and kicking with power.  The "big" guys stepped up their skills because they knew they were being watched by the "medium" guys.  It was a win-win and I got to see it all!  What a blast!

Jewels

I had the privilege of meeting (again) a young woman who spent 6 days with us learning basic self defense. She enjoyed herself so much she wanted more so she came to the dojo.

She was very excited to start classes, but qualified her excitement by saying, "...I had so much fun in your sessions, but I'm kind of aggressive...." - she was apologizing for actually working through the scenarios successfully.

I corrected her, "that's not aggression, that's knowing you are worth fighting for!" She responded with a great smile that said to me, "thank you for knowing I DO feel that way."

it it makes me frustrated that young women, girls, females, have to couch their ideas of self worth. I believe more of us DO feel worth, but it seems we don't feel free to show it until later in life. After we've been knocked around a lot. Why can't we feel free to show it when we are young?

Certainly what we see and hear on TV works against us. And, at least in middle- and high school, we are our own harshest critics. And we don't know it..

I think of a beautiful woman I know in Milwaukee who, in her middle years is a martial artist and instructor to inner city girls. When I met her I felt compelled to address her, with great respect, as Madame Sabir because she had a presence and dignity about her. And, she knows her stuff!

She was (is) beautiful...regal - and humble. She works with young women who live in circumstances where personal safety is a daily concern. Her beauty is her strength and confidence. I have no doubt her students see that in her. It is an invisible crown she wears.

I look forward to seeing my new young friend find her "crown." My hope for her is that her martial arts experience will give her permission to wear her confidence with dignity like Madame Sabir. A precious jewel.

A happy journeyman, -er, woman...

"...I can do it... I really can!"

What is important?

When a kid chooses YOU to give their best to, that's important. When a kid says proudly,"...and now for my finale...", that's important. When brothers glance at each other, wordlessly hoping their teacher will let THEM be partners, that's important. When you are told by a kid that a clear challenge "is really easy" because THEY know YOU believe in them, that's important. When boys-that-bounce-off-walls become young men of great skill and character, that's important. When a child retains their authenticity as a teen, then as an adult. That's important.