This page is just for our younger club members and visitors. We hope you will have fun when you visit, and maybe even learn something new. You can scroll down to learn more, or use the page links menu below. Click the back to menu button to return to this section.

safety

at home | away from home | on the internet | safety links

training

rules | practice | nutrition | training links

fun stuff

fun links

safety

As Sensei Foster often says to our younger members, and the older ones too, It is better to be safe than to be sorry. This section has tips to help you stay safe. Please remember that these are our suggestions, not rules. You should talk to your parent/guardian or other adults who are responsible for you about these tips. They make the rules.

at home

Maybe you are old enough to be home alone. Maybe not. Here are some safety tips for when you are at home:

Do not...

• give out personal information on the telephone to anyone you don't know
• answer the door to anyone without the permission of a responsible adult
• play with matches or lighters
• use the stove, oven, toaster or other appliances without the permission of a responsible adult
• play with electricity
• try to climb high places in your home without the permission of a responsible adult

Do...

• remember to call 9 1 1 on your telephone if there is an emergency in your home
• talk with your parent/guardian about what you should do in an emergency
• use your head — if you think something is a bad idea, it probably is
• talk about safety with your dad, mom, grandma, grandpa, uncle, aunt, cousin, brother, sister, sitter, or family friend — whoever looks after you

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away from home

Your best defense

Your most effective self-defense weapon is sitting on your shoulders — your head, and your common sense. Here's a couple of suggestions...

• practise the safety rules you've learned at home and at school
• review your safety fules with your guardian or parent
• if you are worried about your safety, talk to you parent or guardian, your teacher, coach, or another adult that you trust

Strangers

We talk about this a lot in class, but here is a reminder about what you should do if a stranger comes up to you. Again, you need to talk to your guardian or parent about these safety tips.

Do not...

• go with a stranger or do anything he or she tells you to do
• give your name or any personal information to a stranger
• let a stranger get close to you

If a stranger comes up to you and tries to make you go with him or her...

1. yell "NO!"
2. run and yell "FIRE!"
3. find a place where you can get help. Some suggestions...

your home, a friend's home, a home with a Block Parent sign in the window, a store, community centre, church, school, a fire hall, subway, ambulance or police station, or any city vehicle with a siren light

...or...

a TTC (Toronto Transit Commission) worker, police officer, fire fighter, ambulance worker, anyone wearing a uniform, an adult with children

Remember: You can call 9 1 1 from any telephone free of charge. If you are using a cellular phone, you should be able to give the address or location.

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on the internet

The Internet can be a fun place to visit. There's plenty to learn and to do there. However you do need to be careful. Here are a few tips that you should discuss with your guardian, parent, or a responsible adult who looks after you.

• do not give out personal information (such as your name, address, or telephone number) in chatrooms or by e-mail
• do not arrange to meet someone in person that you have only known online
• if you find anything on the Internet that makes you uncomfortable, tell an adult immediately

A note to parents, guardians, and caregivers: We recommend that you monitor your child's online time just as you would monitor what they watch on telelvision. These tips may also be of some help...

• set up your Internet connection so a password (known only to you) must be used with each log-in
• consider purchasing site blocking software such as NetNanny or CYBERsitter, which can reduce the chances of your children viewing inappropriate material
• keep your computer in high traffic-area of your home, so you can monitor its use
• help your child set up a list of bookmarks to sites that feel are appropriate

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safety links

Here are some links to sites where you can learn more about safety:

• Stay Alert Stay Safe A streetproofing program for children aged 7-10. Lots of games for kids and tips for parents/guardians. This link is recommended on the Toronto Police Services website.

• SafeKids.com, SchoolNet.ca, and WebWiseKids have more-detailed advice and information on web safety for kids, teens, and adults. These three links are recommended on the RCMP/GRC website.

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training

This section has some training tips for you. Remember to talk to your parent/guardian about training outside the dojo.

rules

Both of the Mr Fosters have been through this with you before. But here they are again — the three rules about when you can practise your martial arts:

• in the dojo under the supervision of an instructor
• at home with the permission of your guardian or parent
• in self-defense, but you we want you to talk about this with your parent/guardian

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nutrition

• Grain Products — Choose whole grain and enriched products more often
• Vegetables and Fruit — Choose dark green and orange vegetables and orange fruit more often
• Milk Products — Choose lower-fat milk products more often
• Meat and Alternatives — Choose leaner meats, poultry and fish, as well as dried peas, beans and lentils more often

For religious, cultural, or health reasons your family may require a different diet.

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practice

We encourage you to practise at home. We also want you to be safe when you practise. Here are some tips when practising at home:

Stretching

Remember to take time to stretch, especially if you are going to practice punching, striking, or kicking. Take care when stretching, and don't overdo it.

The mirror

A mirror is one of your best training aids in the home. (Just, please, don't hit it.) Things you can practise in front of your mirror:

• blocking
• striking
• punching
• kicking
• Thirty-one Movements, and other kata

• Am I reloading my block, strike, punch, kick properly?
• Is my fist closed and my wrist straight when punching, striking, blocking?
• Am I staying in my stance (eg horse stance, forward stance)?

Your side-kick

Lie on your side, resting on one elbow. Practise loading your side-kick knee-to-chest (opposite side — right knee to left chest, or left knee to right chest), curling toes back, turning your foot towards you, so that you kick with the blade of the foot emphasizng the heel. This drill can be done slowly.

Breathing and meditation

Stressed out from PokeMon, Nintendo, or school? Take a few minutes at home to restore your ki. Sit kneeling or cross-legged in a quiet space in your home, close your eyes and breathe — in through the nose, and out through the mouth. You'll be amazed at how much better you feel.

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training links

• The Canada Food Guide
• Health Canada Kids Corner
• KidsHealth

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fun stuff

fun links

• Internet Movie Database
• Hong Kong Movie Database
• Karate Angels
• Official Jackie Chan Website
• Official Jet Li Website

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