At the beginning of October I took the boys to a baby/kid expo event. While there, Marshmallow won 2 months free of karate lessons with ATA. I had already been considering signing him up for karate, as it is something his scholarship money will cover. I was just nervous about how he would do, and how the instructors would handle a child with delays. All the things a parent, like myself constantly worries about. After talking a while with the lady at the expo, I decided to go talk to our local location and see what they had to say. They were more than receptive, telling me they just did not want me to get frustrated with his progress. That it may take a while. I just chuckled and said that was my concern for them. They were happy to hear me say that. So I signed him up and he got his uniform.
The first lessons were hard. I was unsure if we made the right choice. The first day, we did not even leave the house. Meltdown over THE pants. Forget the shirt. We could not move past getting the pants on him. So I dropped it, and we stayed home. The second day, I took him and dealt with the pants situation in the parking lot. That went a little bit better. This day he just sat with me the entire class. He did not want to join in at all. He was content just watching and panicked every time I suggested he join in. So we watched. Class three, we got the pants on & the belt. But he again did not want to join in. So we sat. He a few times acted like he wanted to join in, but then would get timid and back away from the mats back towards me. We happened to be sitting next to a wonderful parent and older child. This child, J, has been working on getting the leadership achievement. So his mom, told him that it looked like Marshmallow needed a buddy to do class with and to ask him if he wanted a friend. After a few times of J asking Marshmallow, Marshmallow grabbed his had and went out on the mats to join the class. He did not let go of J's hand the entire class. That was a moment that melted my heart. Not too many kids would be so kind to help a younger child, especially one that struggles communicating. J was a little sunshine for us in this karate journey.
The next class, J was not there. But Marshmallow with a little encouraging joined in again. He was more timid than he was with J the class before, but he still did it. After this class, the instructor told us to try just dropping Marshmallow off and leaving. So the next class we tried that. Marshmallow cried for the first few minutes, but eventually joined in like a lost puppy dog. He wondered around a little during the class and was not sure what he was supposed to be doing. The next couple classes went a little bit better. J was there at another class and offered again to help Marshmallow. And he shined. He did better with a little extra help from a peer. Marshmallow was very excited to have his friend join him in class.
Last class, on Saturday morning, he did awesome. He even wore the entire uniform! And sat on the mat without a fight while waiting for class to start. I was able to sit in the room for the most part and only had to leave to watch outside for a few moments a couple times. He joined in and was where he was supposed to be all class long. He just was lost with certain thing s, as they moved quickly for him. But I could see the wheels turning. He was watching and taking it all in. It was another huge step forward.
Today's class blew it all away. He did AMAZING. He wore the whole uniform without a struggle. Sat on the mat and followed directions. He attempted the motions in all the various forms they work through. He may have been a step behind and in no way perfect, but he was doing it! And he was even trying to talk along with the words as well. I had to redirect him a couple times, as he got focused on the ties on his shirt for a little bit, but overall, he was awesome today. I am so proud of how far he has come in a month of doing karate. Can not wait to see what month 2 of karate holds!!
Last week. He is the one on the right, just standing there.
Today's class. He is the short little man, just off center to the left.
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