Mattimeo's Martial Arts Class (earning first degree white belt AND yellow belt)

Mattimeo continued to do Martial Arts Class at Riverview all throughout the spring and over several months was advanced a couple of times...first to having three stripes on his white belt then finally to a yellow belt. He just really loves his martial arts class, his classmates and his awesome instructors. I've seen him grow so much already in this first year of martial arts and I'm both proud of him and eager to see what changes next year will bring.

Some notes about this spring:

• When Meo is comfortable and enthusiastic he has a lot to say! So he had to practice raising his hand a lot to share his thoughts with his class and instructors. Both Nina Ma'am and Tim sir are so patient and great listeners when the children are sharing which helps them to build confidence and find their voice.
• Meo is an observer and at times would stand and watch instead of try things when new skills were presented. But with a little encouragement he would try too. Once he tried something for a first time, then he was pretty consistent about doing that skill in future drills.
• It has been fun starting to see him try to engage with his peers and for the very beginnings of friendships. They taught him how to play tag and hide and seek and he's since become enthusiastic about those games. He is fairly independent but I can tell that he enjoys the company of the other kids and it's nice to see them initiate their own fun together without adult guidance...especially since Meo doesn't attend a preschool.
• Skills that I really appreciate that he is learning in class include direction following, respectful listening, trying new things (even if its difficult and he will likely fail so he has to cope with frustration in a healthy way), beginning to learn that martial arts is for learning how to be strong and protect yourself but it is for good and not for hurting others for the sake of being mean or a bully (a very important skill for a big brother to learn).

Photos and Videos:

3/30/2015

dragon claws

Grandma came to watch Meo's class and snuggle Linky-Loo

4/27/2015

5/4/2015

Meo earning his third stripe on his white belt.

 5/11/2015

Playground fun with some martial arts buddies. I hope we are able to do more of this in the fall.

5/19/2015

They had to practice sneaking past a blindfolded classmate, and Meo was very good at being silent and soft-footed! I pretty surprised!

5/26/2015 

monkey, monkey, dragon

6/2/2015

Meo was so proud when he earned his yellow belt!

On the last day, Link joined in on "monkey, monkey, dragon"....but mostly he played with another boy in the middle of the circle.

Thank you again for a great first year of Martial Arts Nina Ma'am and Tim Sir!