Category: Uncategorized

When we hear the term “school readiness,” the first thing most people think of is children knowing academic basics that will help them meet the demands of the classroom. And while these cognitive skills are important, teachers feel that skills in the other areas of child development are just as, or more important. Social, emotional, […]

When you are near the end of race and struggling to finish, find a burst of energy to cross the finish line.   – Try a new sport or skill that is difficult and don’t quit. – Study and work hard to improve your grades. – Save up your money and do extra chores to […]

Why do we sometimes fumble our form or drop our longstaff? When we are nervous we often hold our breath and tighten up. This can protect us when someone is hurting us, but it often gets in the way when we need to perform. You may have heard your instructor tell you to “just breathe” when doing something. […]

HOME SECURITY A secure home is crucial for the safety of everyone inside. Consider these tips:   Security Systems: Install a reliable home security system with alarms and surveillance cameras. Secure Doors and Windows: Reinforce entry points with sturdy locks and consider installing security film on windows. HOME ALONE When children are old enough to […]

  “Instead of training children to meet the expectations of adults, train adults to meet the physical, intellectual, emotional and social developmental needs of children.”                                        – Melody Johnson   There is an unmatched level of passion, […]

  Children’s challenging behaviors have long been the focus of adults’ pessimistic viewpoint of characteristics that don’t fit the mold of societal expectations. This rigid “deficit thinking” causes parents to complain about their child’s qualities and make them try to “fix” what is wrong or make excuses as to why they can’t do certain things. […]

“It’s here, it’s here! The day is FINALLY HERE!!!”   Stumbling out of his bedroom at full speed ahead, my youngest son burst into my bedroom to announce that packing day for our big road trip adventure had finally arrived!   The patience of my spirited six-year-old had been wearing thin for days as the […]

  There’s no denying that advancements in technology have made our lives easier. We can work from home, shop online, and watch newly released movies, among many other things, all without leaving the couch. And while this saves us travel time and hassle, it can lead to unexpected health consequences. The reason is that we […]

The Hustle. The Grind. The Daily Marathon. This was the topic of a recent discussion I had with a fellow warrior mama as we took a much needed “Mommy Time Out” on a chilly, February afternoon. It had been a while since we were last able to catch up and reconnect with each other. So […]

  Pablo Picasso once said, “I am always doing that which I cannot do, in order that I may learn how to do it.” What an incredible posture, way of looking at that which is not yet known or second nature to us!   Learning is something we never outgrow and for that I am […]

Have you ever had a teacher, coach or mentor that inspired you to the very core? One that cheered you on to achieving your big dreams and goals with the biggest heart, joy and fire? Each and every day, our team of Pediatric Ninja Specialists, Instructors and Coaches serve our community knowing full well that […]

“Mommy, it’s okay to have big feelings.” These were the words my six-year-old ever so calmly andwisely whispered to me as he gently climbed up upon his stool to wipe away the tears from my cheeks. You see, just a day prior, our family lost a dear loved one.The pain being so fresh, raw and […]

  Kids love ninja classes at a SKILLZ child development center. The mix of age-specific martial arts themes and powerful child development lessons makes for a fun yet educational experience. Parents love ninja classes because of the results they see in their children’s physical, intellectual, emotional, and social growth while on the mat. But what […]

Direction of Approach Direction of Approach: The Skillz Difference A Skillz Child Development Center uses certain aspects of martial arts training as a tool or vehicle for helping kids spur physical, intellectual, emotional, and social development.  That means a Skillz school is a martial arts school….right? Skillz is a fairly new concept in child development […]

Restoring the True Spirit of the Season With the holiday season in full swing, families everywhere are struggling to make suitable plans for the pandemic. While our typical holidays are full of family gatherings, parties, and many other busy events this year, the pandemic has put a damper on our holiday traditions and, instead, increased […]

Whole-Brain Parenting Engaging the Brain for Optimal Development On any given day, we may experience moments of high emotion in reaction to an event, or we find ourselves trying to control everyone and everything around us. Either way, our mental well-being is in danger, especially if we find ourselves stuck in either scenario for long. […]

The Developing Mind Understanding Your Child’s Behavior One of the biggest struggles in parenting is understanding why perfectly sweet and smart children can, in an instant, turn into the most difficult beings ever faced. It’s often as if a switch was flipped and chaos has ensued. This typically results in parents becoming frustrated at their […]

The Second Brain Boosting Serotonin to Enhance Learning We have all experienced, from time to time, that uneasy feeling you get when something doesn’t seem right. Often, we can’t put our finger on it, but we know that we feel bothered. For children, that uneasy feeling may show up as grumpiness or irritability, which can […]

All parents want the same thing…for their child to be a positive member of society and experience success. And while these are important things, they often come through a push to achieve and be the best in everything. Unfortunately, this is frequently done through comparing their children to others. This, however, often leads to stress […]

As people grow older, they begin to find ways to be more productive and make use of their time. For senior citizens, in particular, they find that there is even more time they need to utilize and want to do so effectively. Many will go out and find other jobs while others will pursue hobbies […]

Every year, the American Heart Association celebrates Heart Month to raise awareness about heart disease and heart health. What you may not know is that martial arts are great for the heart. In fact, the cardiac benefits of martial arts give a whole new meaning to the idea of cardiovascular fitness. With that in mind, […]

Grade school can be quite the experience for any child. It is a place where a child not only learns academically but one where a child must learn to socialize and function in the world. Unfortunately, there are a lot of negative experiences that a child may have when going through school. Whatever those experiences […]

The Secret Senses of Better Behaviour We’ve all heard of the main 5 senses; taste, touch, smell, sight, and hearing. However, there are two other, very important, senses that don’t get enough attention. Those are the vestibular sense and proprioception. These two senses are vital in the development of a child but are often overlooked, […]

Certification Matters Three Tips to Choosing a Martial Arts School Choosing a martial arts school has always been a guessing game for most parents. Unless they have prior experience, to them, any style is coined “karate” so deciding on the best place is purely a guess. Parents generally look for a school that teaches punching […]

How Parental Involvement Increases Child Success Parents are an essential element to their child’s success in anything. The enthusiasm and support, or lack thereof, of a parent can make or break a child’s accomplishments. In SKILLZ martial arts, it is even more essential that parents be involved as part of the teaching team since the […]