*ALSO AVAILABLE as Online Streaming Video: Visit Dr Paul Lam Online Tai Chi Lessons (www.onlinetaichilessons.com)
A fun activity to develop children"s concentration and coordination.
Duration: 62 mins.
Why Tai Chi for Children?
Tai Chi has an almost magical effect in health improvement. Kids love to learn and they learn very fast especially when engaged in a fun activity. This specially designed tai chi program emphasizes the fun element while developing their mind and body. It is designed in several small building blocks to capture their attention, incorporating imagery and games to add appeal to kids. We have found that kids really enjoy learning it. Teachers and parents have also found improvement in their children"s sport and academic studies after doing tai chi.
Team sports like football are wonderful for children but not all children like them.
Many children stop team sport after leaving school. Individual sport likes tai chi is more likely to continue for a life time. Starting tai chi could lead your child on a lifelong path to a healthier and more fulfilling lifestyle. To quote Professor Shona Bass, Professor of Population Health, Deakin University, Australia:
"The other aspect of Tai Chi is the intrinsic reward they get from seeing themselves progress and develop, and it is with themselves rather than in competition with other children."
The Creators
Dr Paul Lam, a family physician in Sydney, Australia for 30 years, is a world leader in the field of Tai Chi for health improvement. Cheryl Lee Player, a dance and tai chi teacher, has enjoyed teaching children tai chi for 40 years. They have combined their experience and love for children to create this program to help them learn quicker and bring better balance and harmony to their lives.
How to Use this DVD
We recommend that parents and teachers learn this program with the kids. Firstly, view the entire DVD to gain an overview and how to create a fun and active setting for teaching. Use the program as a way to share quality time with children. You will find children learn better in a non demanding and inter-active environment. Utilize imagery and games to add appeal. Most importantly: frequently praise the kids; focus on the flow and principles of Tai Chi. Place less importance on the exactness.
Below are some good methods you can apply:
- Introduce the "salute", children love the ritual greeting. Begin and end each class with this greeting.
- Smile and make it fun, children will reflect your attitude and sincerity.
- Learn the essential principles of Tai Chi and express them through the movements; the children will follow your lead.
- Be flexible. When the children get restless, introduce a game, go for a group run or tell a story to keep their attention.
Contents
An introductory section for teachers and parents provides information on Tai Chi and how to teach the program effectively. Starting with a fun gathering in the park, Dr Lam and Cheryl teach the entire program including warming up and cooling down exercises. To conclude, Dr Lam demonstrates the entire set from the front on and back on positions.
Warm Up Exercises:
- Neck - open door and looking straight ahead
- Shoulder - Invisible circles and gathering sun beams
- Spine - bear stretches and turning ball
- Hips - feel the pebbles and side kick
- Knees - Kicks and punches
The Tai Chi Set:
- Form 1 - Commencing
- Form 2 - Open and Close
- Form 3 - Brush Knee x 3
- Form 4 - Kicks
- Form 5 - Wave Hands
- Form 6 - Stroking Bird"s Tail
- Form 7 - Closing
The set is made up of several small building blocks to capture children"s attention; each block is like a small tai chi set itself. You can teach each block independently and join any two or more blocks together, this design enable you to tune your teaching to the children’s needs. When you reach the end of the recording, you can practice with Dr Lam by following him as he demonstrates the entire set with his back to you.
If you wish to learn more from Dr Lam"s instructional DVDs, Tai Chi for Beginners is the next step, followed by the Combined 42 Forms.
From the Kidz
"Tai chi is a way to exercise your limbs and make you concentrate on your work."
Dan, age 10
"Tai Chi cleanses my body and helps me with my work."
Katiana, age 9
6 Reviews
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Next generation learning Tai Chi 4Kidz
I started learning Tai Chi for Arthritis about 10 months ago to teach senior adults in my community. We all love the program and can tell physically and mentally the benefits of Tai Chi. My grandchildren wanted to learn some of the forms, but I felt that program was too involved to hold their attention. I am very excited to be able to teach them this fun program and to start the next generation off with knowledge for lifelong benefits. Thank you for examples on your DVD for making Tai Chi fun and exciting for kids.
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Tai chi 4 Kidz a fun tape for Seniors
I have been teaching Tai Chi for Health for over 12 years. I have a group of about 25 advanced students. That class chose Tai Chi 4 Kidz to learn. It is a fun sequence of techniques. We liked the description of brush knee where you say brush the bamboo aside and put out the stop sign. That made the moment come alive for some people. The best technique I liked teaching was the waving of hands. The butterfly on the finger made it so much fun to do. I put a peace of tape on their finger so they would get the feeling of the butterfly. I highly recommend this tape. My seniors love it.
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Thank you for Tai Chi 4 Kidz
The practice of martial arts, including Tai Chi, constitutes part of my personal workout at our local gym. One of the gym employees also teaches the 6th grade at our school. She asked me if I would come to the school for a day and instruct her students in Tai Chi, as the students were finishing up a study unit on China. I agreed to do this for her. The use of Dr. Lam's DVDs with their various styles compliments the 108 moves I learned many years ago. Remembering that Dr. Lam offered Tai Chi 4 Kidz, I immediately ordered the DVD and put it to use. The methods, warm ups, set and cool down successfully introduce and benefit children to the world of Tai Chi. In the classes I quickly observed that children need to work on balance, as well as adults There were only a few who had natural balance. The open and close with the use of the breathing calmed and relaxed the students. The students left the class happy and smiling. One of the teachers joined in on the class. He stated that he wished Tai Chi could be incorporated in their daily school routine. I cannot think of a better compliment for Tai Chi for Kidz.
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Love the guidance
This is a very helpful video, and it is encouraging.
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A Different Knd of Moving for Kids
I bought this DVD for my granddaughter, who has issues with pain. Knowing that tai chi helps to alleviate body pains, I thought she would like to learn how to do it. Because she has a two year old, and ,like many mothers, she does not do much for herself, I knew she would "teach" this to her son, thereby helping herself. When I visit we do these moves together. The video is so much fun. The music is happy and invites movement. My little great grandson loves copying his mother and his great grandmum, as he calls me! We laugh a lot, bond and move together. Three generations are enjoying Dr. Lam's Tai Chi for Kidz. Thank you, Dr. Lam.
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Tai Chi for KIDZ on St. Simons Island, Georgia
Dr. Lam - An elementary school teacher asked me sometime ago to teach elementary students Tai Chi and I took the challenge. I purchased the video and started training. i, actually, enjoyed the form because the form being so simple circulated my internal energy. As I studied the video, my spouse enjoyed looking at the video. Tuesday, 24 May 2016, I will practice the form with the children and I am looking forward to it. I, also, like the fact that the form contains ward off, roll back, press and push which are the foundation of Tai Chi Chuan.
