Most interesting and useful thing about the dojo system of nearly all the martial arts disciplines is the belt system. A higher ranks belt of any age or size is required and taught how to teach what he or she knows to other students of lesser accomplishments. (Nothing is funnier than seeing a 4 ft tall boy green belt applying the sarcastic tones and terminology of the old drill sergeant - sensei to correct a clumsy 6+ ft man who hasn't done a "kata" correctly. ) Age segregation is a pernicious foundation upon which to build any education model. (The SECOND funniest thing is watching a brown belt girl sparring with that green belt boy and handing him his ass. [sparring is size matched. Dojo's aren't crazy...] Funny for the spectators and inspirational for the student.) The skills represented by the belt color mean something consequential. The prize is worth the price of practice.
It seems to me one problem with current schools is that as schools get larger, a smaller percentage of enrollees benefit from whatever character-building and discipline-inspiring aspects are traditionally ascribed to football and like sports. The benefits of football are hugely oversold, but even those are not as widely distributed in modern schools as in prior generations.
Karate!
Most interesting and useful thing about the dojo system of nearly all the martial arts disciplines is the belt system. A higher ranks belt of any age or size is required and taught how to teach what he or she knows to other students of lesser accomplishments. (Nothing is funnier than seeing a 4 ft tall boy green belt applying the sarcastic tones and terminology of the old drill sergeant - sensei to correct a clumsy 6+ ft man who hasn't done a "kata" correctly. ) Age segregation is a pernicious foundation upon which to build any education model. (The SECOND funniest thing is watching a brown belt girl sparring with that green belt boy and handing him his ass. [sparring is size matched. Dojo's aren't crazy...] Funny for the spectators and inspirational for the student.) The skills represented by the belt color mean something consequential. The prize is worth the price of practice.
It seems to me one problem with current schools is that as schools get larger, a smaller percentage of enrollees benefit from whatever character-building and discipline-inspiring aspects are traditionally ascribed to football and like sports. The benefits of football are hugely oversold, but even those are not as widely distributed in modern schools as in prior generations.
Great insight, super article. Shared.
Your dragon slayers are fortunate to have been released into the wild ;-)
As a mom of three boys (and one fair lady) I agree with all of this!
Very well put.