Elijah White

Elijah White

Demonstrating Discipline & Personal Achievement

Four years ago, Ilona and Scott White were looking for an activity to help their son Elijah gain coordination.  He was only three years old when they enrolled him in our Tiny Tiger Program, and the rest of the story is about discipline, parenting and achievement.

“He was very uncoordinated as a young child, but the consistent discipline of your instructors sank in very quickly,” Scott said.  According to his father, Elijah learned quickly to put the instructor’s commands into action.  Whenever he failed to listen carefully, there always was a consistent consequence.  “It was a perfect combination of a little negative and a little correction, and lots of encouragement,” Scott said.  A few times, Elijah had to sit down for not listening, but Scott said that the consistency of the instructors really helped Elijah learn quickly how to listen.

Not only did his coordination improve but also his focus!

When I asked Scott what UNEXPECTED benefit has resulted from the training, he had a quick answer:  “My own mom and dad had a relaxed approach to parenting.  By watching the ATA instructors, I learned techniques for reinforcing discipline at home.  I was also a little surprised at the large emphasis on respect and the life skills taught.  These traditional values have meant a great deal to my wife and I and our children.”

Elijah is now seven, has graduated to the Karate for Kids class, and is fast approaching black belt.  His favorite weapon is SWORD and at the tournament in September, he took FIRST PLACE in weapons.

Perhaps the biggest reason for Elijah’s success is that his parents have made such a great effort to get him to class consistently.  “Sometimes Elijah complained about having to stop playing and go to class, but the consistency of always going has taught him two things:  1. he always has fun in class, and 2. there are great rewards for consistently working hard.”

To parents considering enrolling, Scott said, “It’s very helpful to see how the instructors consistently apply discipline and guidance.  And the Karate Kids traditional values are great.  It is not some obscure eastern philosophy.  You teach the kids how to use traditional values in very practical and relevant ways.  I know that Elijah’s ability to focus, I know that his discipline and his persistence will be really important later in his life, too.