My Best Friend Is Cheating On a Test. Should I Tell On Her?
February 20, 2012 • 1 Comment
Throughout February 2012, we’ll be working on the concept of “loyalty.”
All our discussions and activities will aim to help our students understand how to be faithful, steadfast and true to someone or something. We will also help them understand that loyalty doesn’t demand silence when we feel that somebody or something is in the wrong.
Powerful Words is the name of our character development curriculum here at Urban Martial Arts. It’s designed by one of the nation’s leading childhood development experts, Dr. Robyn Silverman. Every month, we’ll focus on a different Powerful Word, or concept around character development.
In this video, Dr. Robyn answers a question from a 12-year-old girl who knows her best friend is cheating on tests, but doesn’t want to get her into trouble. She’d like to know what suggestions Dr. Robyn has for her:
There’s no better way to drive home the lessons we teach at Urban Martial Arts than by reinforcing them… well, at home!
To give you more ideas for conversation topics, here’s a run-down of what we’ll be discussing this month:
Week 1 Loyalty defined: Responsibility, faithfulness, dependability, and trust
Week 2 Loyal roles: How can I be a loyal friend, child, sibling and citizen?
Week 3 Speaking up vs ratting out: When “loyalty” feels strange
Week 4 Loyal Student: How can I be loyal to my school, my goals, and my classmates?
We’d love to hear how your conversations go with your child so do share with us!
About Dr. Robyn:
Dr. Robyn Silverman, child development specialist, body image/body bullying expert, sought-after speaker and award-winning writer, is known for her no-nonsense yet positive approach to helping young people and their families thrive. Her ground-breaking research at Tufts University on young women is the foundation for her book, “Good Girls Don’t Get Fat: How Weight Obsession Is Messing Up Our Girls and How We Can Help Them Thrive Despite It.”
Photo Credit: Orin Zebest on Flickr
Loyalty Quotes: 5 Great Quotes About Loyalty
February 13, 2012 • Leave a Comment
Throughout February 2012, we’ll be working on the concept of “loyalty.”
All our discussions and activities will aim to help our students understand how to be faithful, steadfast and true to someone or something. We will also help them understand that loyalty doesn’t demand silence when we feel that somebody or something is in the wrong.
Powerful Words is the name of our character development curriculum here at Urban Martial Arts. It’s designed by one of the nation’s leading childhood development experts, Dr. Robyn Silverman. Every month, we’ll focus on a different Powerful Word, or concept around character development.
To inspire your own discussions at home, here are five of our all-time favorite quotes about loyalty:
“Lack of loyalty is one of the major causes of failure in every walk of life”
—Napoleon Hill
“The foundation stones for a balanced success are honesty, character, integrity, faith, love and loyalty.”
—Zig Ziglar
“Loyalty should not require people to comprimise their character. True friends will never ask you to behave in a way that is contrary to who you really are.”
—Dr. Robyn Silverman
“The greater the loyalty of a group toward the group, the greater is the motivation among the members to achieve the goals of the group, and the greater the probability that the group will achieve its goals.”
—Rensis Likert
“Loyalty is still the same, whether it win or lose the game; true as a dial to the sun, although it be not shined upon.”
—Samuel Butler
To give you more ideas for conversation topics, here’s a run-down of what we’ll be discussing this month:
Week 1 Loyalty defined: Responsibility, faithfulness, dependability, and trust
Week 2 Loyal roles: How can I be a loyal friend, child, sibling and citizen?
Week 3 Speaking up vs ratting out: When “loyalty” feels strange
Week 4 Loyal Student: How can I be loyal to my school, my goals, and my classmates?
We’d love to hear how your conversations go with your child so do share with us!
Photo Credit: Mattox on stock.xchng
How Safe Is Your Child From the Kidnapper in Lurking in Aisle 5?
February 10, 2012 • 2 Comments
This is a guest post by Dr. Robyn Silverman, creator of our Powerful Words character development program. This article was originally published on Dr. Robyn’s blog.
My Facebook page is hopping today after I posted about the little girl, Brittney Baxter, age 7, who fought her way out of getting kidnapped from Walmart yesterday, when a man grabbed her, covered her mouth and tried to subdue her. The girl is safe and the alleged kidnapper in custody, but these stories always leave a trail of fear, frustration, concern, and questions from parents and educators.
Several parents and concerned citizens have gotten in touch because they are unsure about how they can protect the children in their lives from a similar situation. I wanted to reach out to you to provide some tips. Please feel free to pass it on and repost the link as this is an issue on many people’s minds today.
In terms of “stranger danger,” what are we supposed to tell our young kids?
(1) People are mostly kind…but some aren’t:
For the most part, people are good, kind and helpful. But not everyone. “Most people are very kind. When we go to the store, there are many kind people who are there to help you, right? Most people want everyone to be safe and happy. But some people are not kind. Some people do not make safe and kind choices. We don’t always know who the kind and unkind people are because there are no superhero or villain masks in real life.”
(2) Stay by the person who brought you:
Your school age children should be told to stay by you or the person who brought them. “When we go out, please stay where I can see you and you can see me. Please don’t wander into the next aisle alone because I won’t be able to see you. Wandering off is an unsafe choice. Staying by me is a safe choice.” Read the rest of this entry »
February’s Powerful Word Is Loyalty
February 6, 2012 • 2 Comments
It’s the beginning of a new month, and that means it’s time for a new Powerful Word!
Throughout February 2012, we’ll be working on the concept of “loyalty.”
All our discussions and activities will aim to help our students understand how to be faithful, steadfast and true to someone or something. We will also help them understand that loyalty doesn’t demand silence when we feel that somebody or something is in the wrong. Read the rest of this entry »
Karate vs Taekwondo for Kids: Which Is Better?
February 3, 2012 • 1 Comment
If you’re a parent trying to decide between taekwondo or karate classes for kids, it may be hard to figure out which is better for kids – karate or taekwondo.
In this video, Sensei Serge from Urban Martial Arts in Brooklyn NY explains what the differences are, so that you can make an informed decision:
Valentine’s Day Parents Night Out – Sat, Feb 11 from 6-9 pm
February 1, 2012 • Leave a Comment
We think that hard-working parents like you deserve a night out on the town, kid-free!
So why not drop your child with us on Saturday, February 11th from 6 pm to 9 pm for a night of pizza, fun, and games?
It’s just $25 per child. Each additional sibling can come for just $20.
The event is open to all kids aged 4 to 13 — you don’t have to be enrolled at Urban Martial Arts to participate.
Students: We can charge the fee to the debit or credit card we have on file for you – just call us at 718-287-5500. Or if you’d prefer to pay by cash or check, you can do that at the front desk.
Non-Students: Just come in to Urban Martial Arts to fill out a permission slip and pay the fee by cash, credit card, or check.
Remember – space in the event is limited, so call us today at 718-287-5500 to find out if we have any spots open for your child!
Urban Martial Arts Rocked the House at the 2012 Long Island Winter Open!
February 1, 2012 • Leave a Comment
Congratulations to everyone who competed at the Long Island Winter Open 2012 in New Hyde Park, NY this weekend!
For a few of our students, this was only their first or second tournament and as you’ll see in the video above, they showed a lot of heart!
Great job, everybody! We look forward to seeing how you’ll do in the next tournament!
1ST PLACE
Farzana Alam (9 & Under Advanced Girls Sparring)
Christopher Djama (12-13 Advanced Boys Sparring)
Christopher Djama (12-13 Advanced Open Forms)
Aaron Rice (9 & Under Advanced Boys Sparring)
2ND PLACE
Kiara Brown (9 & Under Advanced Girls Sparring)
Tatiana Felix (10-11 Beginner Girls Sparring)
Aaron Rice (9 & Under Advanced Boys Open Forms)
Kimberly Rice (10-11 Advanced Girls Sparring)
Jonathan Pierre-Louis (10-11 Intermediate Boys Sparring)
3RD PLACE
Zyhra Casero (8-9 Beginners Girls Sparring)
Aaron Rice (9 & Under Advanced Boys Forms)
4TH PLACE
Christopher Djama (12-13 Advanced Open Weapons)
Stephan Rosales (10-11 Intermediate Boys Sparring)
FINALISTS
Abbosbek Adxamov (12-13 Intermediate Boys Sparring)
Eric Babaisakov (8-9 Beginners Boys Sparring)
Josiah Brillant (7 & Under Beginner Boys Sparring)
Jayden Green (7 & Under Beginner Boys Sparring)
Shane Rosales (10-11 Intermediate Boys Sparring and Forms)
Tommy Schioppa (7 & Under Beginner Boys Sparring)
Kazi Sahir (7 & Under Beginner Boys Sparring)
Kazi Tejwar (8-9 Intermediate Boys Sparring)
Nicholas Vadi (10-11 Intermediate Boys Sparring and Forms)
Big Trouble in Little China: Minimalist Movie Posters
January 30, 2012 • 1 Comment
Minimalist movie posters have become a popular meme online. The idea is to convey the concept of the movie, but with a minimalist design.
Since “Big Trouble in Little China” is one of Sensei Serge’s guilty pleasure favorites, I thought I’d put together this collection of minimalist interpretations of the classic 80s karate flick!
by Adam Limbert, via pal-treaux
How Do I Get Ready for a Karate Tournament?
January 25, 2012 • Leave a Comment
If you need to prepare for a martial arts tournament, there are a few things to keep in mind.
In this video, Sensei Serge goes over the best way to get ready for a karate tournament.
Weight Loss for Kids: How to Keep Your Kid Happy and Healthy
January 23, 2012 • Leave a Comment
Throughout January 2012, we’ll be working on the concept of “health.”
All our discussions and activities will aim to help our students understand that being healthy is more than just feeling good. It’s total well-being and freedom from disease.
Powerful Words is the name of our character development curriculum here at Urban Martial Arts. It’s designed by one of the nation’s leading childhood development experts, Dr. Robyn Silverman. Every month, we’ll focus on a different Powerful Word, or concept around character development.
In this post, Dr. Robyn answers a question from a parent who’s concerned about her children’s health.
Dear Dr. Robyn,
I wanted to talk to you about a bit of a touchy topic. Our children are getting a little older and they are starting to put on more weight. I know from reading your book that this can be a “hot button” for many kids. How can I make sure they are staying healthy?
– Sara B, Phoenix, AZ
Dear Sara,
Yes, you are right. “Weight” can be a hot button for many children as they get older. For one thing, while it’s normal and natural for children to put on weight as they go through puberty, their bodies change greatly and some can become uncomfortable. In addition, as children become adolescents, they may become more aware of media messages that glorify “body perfection” and can become more prone to comparing themselves to others.
In my book, Good Girls Don’t Get Fat: How Weight Obsession is Messing Up Our Girls & How We Can Help Them Thrive Despite It, I talk about the importance of health over weight. There are actions that everyone can take, regardless of weight, that help to keep us healthy.
1. Eat foods that nourish the body
Everyone needs to eat a balanced diet that provides such things as lean proteins, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low fat dairy items. We can explain to our children that they should eat a variety of natural foods that represent every color in the rainbow. When we eat nutritious foods, we feel energized. Read the rest of this entry »
