The martial arts comprise a huge range of styles. The following are popular ones for children: Tae Kwon Do. Originated in Korea, this is the worldÕs most popular martial art. It combines kicking and punching movements with breathing and meditation techniques. Kids enjoy breaking boards and sparring. Karate. A broad term used for hundreds of [...]
Archive for March, 2008
The Scoop on Styles
Wednesday, March 26th, 2008Making a Match
Wednesday, March 26th, 2008While most martial arts styles are suitable for children, not all teaching methods are the same. Observing a class in action is very beneficial. Be alert to the following: 1. Quality of Instruction. What are the instructor’s qualifications? How do they interact with the children? Are the kids having fun? 2. Class Basics. How often [...]
Karate Kids
Wednesday, March 26th, 2008Last year, Christian Nalli of Columbia was extremely shy and often got picked on in school. But bullying is now a thing of his past, thanks to a martial arts class he’s been taking. “Now he is much more verbal and will speak up for himself,” says Nora Nalli of her 8-year-old son. “He’s stronger [...]
Hot Dates in April
Wednesday, March 26th, 2008ROAR for Autism Grease up the bike chain, dig out your hiking boots or just get ready to play — all to raise funds for autism research April 27 at Oregon Ridge Park in Cockeysville. The Kennedy Krieger Institute’s 2008 ROAR: Ride on for Autism Research has even more in store this year. In addition [...]
Tips For Parents Who Would Rather Not Spank
Wednesday, March 26th, 2008* If you feel your anger rising, leave the room — or send your child to another room — until you calm down. * Instead of slapping your child, slap you knee or a table, or clap your hand; the sound will interrupt the behavior without hitting the child. * Try these alternative punishments: time-outs [...]
All For One
Wednesday, March 26th, 2008When people learn Debbie Crone has nine children, they tend to have one of two reactions. “They either think it’s really cool,” says the Columbia mother, “or they think you’re crazy and totally irresponsible for overpopulating the planet.” Such is the life of a parent of a large family. People make lots of assumptions and [...]
To Spank Or Not To Spank
Wednesday, March 26th, 2008To spank or not to spank. If that is the question, American parents are a deeply divided, if not outright hypocritical, lot. Surveys by the Family Research Laboratory at the University of New Hampshire have shown that the number of parents who believe spanking is an effective, acceptable way to discipline their child has dropped [...]
Worst to first for determined wrestler
Wednesday, March 26th, 2008IN THE SPOTLIGHT Next time your young athlete feels frustrated after a loss or says he or she doesn’t feel like practicing, tell the story of Catonsville wrestler Quinn Devaney. At age 7, he joined the Lansdowne Gators wrestling team. “It’s really the only sport that mattered to me because my dad wrestled,” Quinn recalled. [...]
Two new stores for kids open in Columbia
Wednesday, March 26th, 2008If you have tots or teens, or anything in between, you might have noticed two new stores at The Mall in Columbia. Pumpkin Patch opened last month on the lower level near Lord & Taylor. The 6,000-square-foot store is one of 200 located in four countries and offers kidswear for infants to preteens. Check out [...]
Club dares ‘dangerous’ boys to read more
Wednesday, March 26th, 2008Looking for a way to keep your son enthusiastic about reading? Consider signing him up to be a Dangerous Boy. Inspired by the bestselling “The Dangerous Book for Boys” by brothers Conn and Hal Iggulden, the new Dangerous Boys Club at the Ellicott City Barnes & Noble offers a solution for parents and teachers looking [...]