A programme developed in Scotland is making a positive impact among young students at The Martial Arts Academy in Tauranga and Papamoa.

The course run by Academy co-founder Christine Young that began at the start of Term 3 teaches life skills to four to six year-olds.

'Our KUBZ programme is really exciting. We wanted to make a difference to that younger age group by helping them through the early years and getting them through the right path,” Christine says.

'It is a martial arts, life skills programme. At that age the children are really exploring the world. They are learning about co-ordination, leadership and listening skills. They are absorbing so much information.”

What makes the course unique is the focus on safety and good communication. Christine has seen how problems communicating can cause frustration among the younger age group.

She says the safety message has an important impact.

'If they get lost for example, do they remember their mum and dad's phone number or where they live. That is something we have as part of the learning environment and we also have home tasks like sleeping in their own bed all night and good manners at the table.

'The catch phrase is 'effort and attitude builds champions”. I think it is important they are getting off on the right foot to take them through their primary years and older ages.”

The KUBZ programme utilises the values of taekwon-do including courtesy, respect, perseverance and self-control.

'The kids learn the fun aspects of learning a martial act plus the coordination skills of left and right,” Christine says.

'We also teach them responding to what we call the magic triangle. This is the people who are going to keep them safe in the world. At the top of that triangle is mum and dad and also their teacher and their martial arts instructor.”

Feedback from parents, teachers and the young students has been overwhelmingly positive so far, Christine says.

'We have a student whose mum and dad did have trouble with this child speaking clearly. One of the things we have helped this child with is to communicate with others and also to enunciate his speech.

'It is amazing progress.”