06 Apr Classes back to normal but kids still suffering from the past 2 years
Being in Martial Arts myself since 7 years old and teaching 30 years I can see the impact the covid lockdowns have had on students. Telling a kid to sit still for a minute seems like a life time to them and after 20 seconds complaining they are bored. Image what 2 years of covid protocols flipping and flopping causing highs and lows does to ones spirt. My first observation was the kids that were really well behaved before 2020 were less focused in Jiu Jitsu class and just wanted to play more. I allowed more fun times for the kids in class as a coach I can feel the energy in the room and just let the kids be kids. Kids who start Jiu Jitsu around the age 4-5 tend to get into a routine of attending class and it becomes part of their life style. With the 2 year break most kids between 8-9 are now 10-11 and out of the routine and never made it back to jiu jitsu classes. For a 4 year old, Covid is half of their life and the first years are the most important for developing a healthy mind and body. I set a protocol for my Toronto Jiu Jitsu classes that when the mask mandates were lifted I would go back to lining up the kids to bow out and end with traditional hand shake and hug. 3 Kids started to cry and a few others look so uncomfortable and lost. Thankfully the next week the kids were a lot better and now its back to the old normal ways. Prior to lining up at the end of Jiu Jitsu class the kids were fighting and doing close contact, but it was the 2 years of being told not to shake hands that really had to kids feeing out of place.
