I've been teaching two kids, lately. While I think that
KajuKenbo forms are interesting for kids, most are too
long, even if they have sections that are repeated in
a mirror fashion. I've found that teaching the defense
arts in a forms fashion is easier for kids. Rather than
have the kids do complete iterations of, say, Grab Arts
(CHA3 Kenpo names) the entire class, I break up the
class into sections:
--- Basics ---
1) Air hand techniques from horse stance
2) Air kicks from guarded stance
3) Hand and kick target practice on human opponent
(light contact)
--- Arts ---
1) Air Grab Arts (parts)
2) Entire Grab Arts
3) Technical focus on elements of Grab Arts
The "air" grab arts are essentially synchronized forms.
The kids find comfort in the herd mentality. When I
say 1, we repeat the first move of a Grab Art, which
is usually an upperbody movement coupled with
a step. We repeat the first part of Grab Arts #1-5
on command, with three iterations per Art, performed
sequentially: 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3 etc. Then,
the first part of each art is performed sequentially:
1, 2, 3, 4, 5 for three iterations of the entire series.
Then, I randomize it: 1, 3, 4, 2, 5. Then, we do
the same for the first two parts of the Art. I've found
that by emphasizing the beginning of the Art, kids
seem to have a better retention of the entire art.
It's a method similar to memorizing the alphabet.
When these Arts are strung together in this manner, you essentially have a solo "form." I think it's also
important to emphasize solo iteration so that the
kids have a practice method for home use. If they
are taught that the Arts require another person
as a target, they deny themselves the opportunity
for imaginary visualization.
So, in conclusion, for kids, I find that high drill
rates of a small set of material repeated in various
forms is a good way to teach kids. Most kids (and some
adults) have a short attention span and need to have
variable mental and physical stimuli to learn.
This is my personal experience.
