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Kempo Kids Are Safe Kids...
THEY EXUDE SELF-CONFIDENCE, DISCIPLINE &
AWARENESS.
Our responsibility as Kempo Martial Arts instructors and as
parents is to give our children the tools and rules with which to avoid
dangerous situations. We must build their confidence enough so that they don’t
feel submissive to adults, yet we still want disciplined and respectful
children.
Here are a few tips to keep your Kempo Kid safe & sound...
Have your child spend a few minutes each week practicing
Kempo’s defense techniques. We can’t become proficient at anything unless we
practice. An athlete who doesn’t practice can’t perform her best when she needs
to. Likewise a Kempo student who doesn’t practice can’t be expected to respond
properly in the face of danger. With practice we can recognize danger as it
approaches.
Have your child practice…
 | saying, "I’ll get my daddy to help you." when a stranger
has a request…and then run to find a parent. |
| memorizing colors and shapes (even names) of vehicles that
pass by. Quiz your child often to help stranger awareness become habit.
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| making eye contact for a full two seconds with passersby
while asking herself, "Could I get away if he tries to grab me?" or "Is he too
close?" |
Observe your child playing for a few minutes outside your home
(if outside play is allowed). Now ask yourself, "Knowing my child as I do, if I
were not watching at this moment, WOULD SHE BE SAFE? How easy would it be for
someone to take her away from me?" Your honest answer to this question will
indicate whether changes are in order.
Ask your child:
| Who’s your best adult friend?
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| What do you and this friend like to do together?
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| What do you and this friend talk about?
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Your child’s answers to these and other similar questions will
alert you if there is cause for concern.
Arrange to have a friend (known or unknown to your child) try
to convince your child to walk or ride somewhere with him while you observe from
a distance. If your child accepts your friend’s invitation further training is
in order.
Kempo instructors hesitate to suggest that children fight back
against an adult. Kids can get a false sense of confidence if they think they
can overpower an adult. However, if all preventative measures have failed and
your child has been abducted we think that substantial confidence development, a
‘never give up’ attitude and the following training will increase your child’s
chances of survival.
Teach your child to look for
opportunities to escape...
| Wait till he relaxes his grip or looks the other
way. |
| How do the door locks on his car work?
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| Where are the door handles?
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| How do the windows open (buttons or cranks).
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| Look for passing people or police officers and be ready to
scream ("kidnap!") for help. |
Above all... NEVER GIVE UP...
Keep looking for opportunities to escape.
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