Your child does not need a gi or any experience before trying Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at KIN. Have them wear athletic clothes, bring a water bottle, and arrive 10 to 15 minutes early.
A coach will greet your family and fit your child with a loaner gi while you sign the waiver. You can stay and watch the class.
Before you arrive
Trim your child’s fingernails and toenails. Tie back long hair and remove jewellery before class.
Children train barefoot on the mats, so they do not need special footwear.
How class begins
Once everyone is ready, the class bows in together. It starts with movements that build gross motor skills and general athleticism.
Your child may join immediately or watch before taking part. Our guide to starting Brazilian Jiu Jitsu explains how we approach hesitation and readiness.
From there, the class changes with the age group.
What Munchkins do
Munchkins is generally for children ages four through six. We keep instructions short instead of asking young children to remember a complicated technique.
The coach sets up a game with a simple goal and a few rules. One game may ask children to off-balance each other without losing their own balance. In another, both children work to reach a particular position.
Their partner is trying to win too. Children have to feel what is happening, make a decision, and adjust.
This lets Munchkins learn Jiu Jitsu through play.
What Kinjas do
Kinjas classes spend time standing and on the ground. Children practise moving and off-balancing a partner on their feet, along with positions and control on the mat.
New students do not begin with open sparring. They still train against resistance, but the coach gives them a narrower goal so they have less to manage at once.
Sparring begins when the coach trusts that the child understands the rules and can keep themselves and their partners safe. Each child reaches that point at a different time.
While you watch
Parents are welcome to watch the first class. You can sit back and let the coach work with your child, then ask questions once class is over.
A first visit does not need to be perfect. One game or one good interaction may be enough to make a child want to return.
After class
The coach can tell you what they noticed and what they would suggest for another visit.
A coach will also follow up by email. We hope your family wants to return, but there is no pressure to join.