A: We at KIDPOWER are very concerned that the physical techniques we teach only be used appropriately. That is why before any physical techniques are taught the kids learn about safety using boundaries, awareness and words. Before fighting skills are introduced kids learn to PRACTICE LEAVING – practice walking away from insults while taking care of themselves emotionally; practice moving away with awareness; practice yelling for help and running to safety. We stress that fighting is used as a last resort and only as a means of escape from an unsafe situation.

Before being taught any of the physical skills each student is asked to individually promise to the instructor that they will only use them if they HAVE to in order to escape from a dangerous situation where they cannot leave and they cannot get help. It has been our experience that the students take this promise seriously. We reinforce the importance of using words first by having the kids say a loud “NO” when assuming the ready position in the front fight scenario before any physical contact is made.

Even so, we acknowledge that there are some children who should not be taught fighting skills.  Children who are bullying or who have poor impulse control, for example, need to be given the chance to learn and practice other ways of dealing with conflict rather than being taught to fight.

Despite all of these precautions, and our best intentions, it is still possible that a child who has taken KIDPOWER might use the techniques inappropriately. However, it has been our experience, and the experience of others, that teaching self defense skills to kids does NOT make them more likely to hit someone.  Some kids do hit other kids, whether they have taken KIDPOWER or not. We believe that by teaching kids verbal skills, and to respect their own and other people’s boundaries, that we may actually make hitting less likely.

We do recognize that teaching these skills to kids, like any intervention, could have negative as well as positive effects. In the final analysis one has to weigh the potential risks against the potential benefits. We feel, after careful analysis, that the balance weighs heavily in favor of teaching fighting skills, given the importance of kids being able to escape from an unsafe or overtly dangerous situation when all else has failed.