Comments on: Self defense for kids made easier with a game

By: Lori Hoeck

Lori Hoeck — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 03:41:28 +0000

Hi Vered,
Because we live in a seemingly safe country — compared to, say, Iraq — we often push self defense into an “Oh no!” category that seems too scary to contemplate. I grew up in a state with three types of poisonous snakes, but I roamed freely on the family farm as a teen. It was made abundantly clear to me what to look for — colors, designs, likely locations. And yet, no one ever showed fear about snakes, so they never passed that fear on to me. Despite the intense education, I enjoyed playing with non-poisonous snakes, and we even had a pet snake freely roam one of our houses.

Hi Cindy, a.k.a Mugsy,
Between the two of you, I bet you never miss a thing! Can you imagine if school kids were taught to be that aware as a habit? I don’t know if most adults could take it. Especially if we throw in setting personal boundaries and embracing personal responsibility.

By: cindy platt

cindy platt — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 03:10:56 +0000

I love this. This information is validating. Sean calls me Mugsy because I am always scoping things out and and articulating my observations, but awareness is everything. A school awareness program is an excellent notion. Hi Ya!

By: vered

vered — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 00:45:47 +0000

“if we can teach fire safety, street-crossing awareness, and seat belt usage without going into the horrible details that could result from not using them, then we can teach this stuff without scaring kids.” – true. haven’t thought about that.

By: Lori Hoeck

Lori Hoeck — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 18:15:38 +0000

Hi Vered,
I believe if we can teach fire safety, street-crossing awareness, and seat belt usage without going into the horrible details that could result from not using them, then we can teach this stuff without scaring kids. As Sara notes, focus on the awareness level alone will help kids be more alert.

Hi Barbara,
I like the game reversal — having kids quiz the parent. It makes for a win, win situation with everyone becoming more aware as a matter of habit.

Yes, a school program would be fun!

By: Barbara Swafford

Barbara Swafford — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 08:52:18 +0000

Hi Lori,

I love your idea of making a game of this. Kids seem to be able to identity with that. Like asking them what the cashier was wearing or what color her eyes were. Or, you could even have the kids quiz the parent, thus making them more aware before the “test”.

I can’t remember if you mentioned doing it at some point in time, but I think you would be great at taking your “program” to schools. I can see it now, “Think Like A Blackbelt Inc.” With your experience, passion and knowledge of these subjects, you’d be a natural.

By: vered

vered — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 01:05:30 +0000

Interesting – as long as I can find a way to teach them without scaring them – you know what I mean?

By: Lori Hoeck

Lori Hoeck — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 19:23:18 +0000

Hi Sara,
I agree! Plus kids will amaze you at their level of awareness once they consistently play this game.

By: Sara

Sara — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:42:12 +0000

Lori — This is a great list of ideas for both self-defense and awareness, in general.

Regarding the self-defense, I think the suggestions you give should be taught in every school to children, in addition to their parent’s instruction. Children are naturally curious and your suggestions encourage this curiosity. It might not only save the child’s life, but with the increased awareness, it might save another person’s life, as well.

Regarding general awareness, these suggestions are excellent for helping children be more in the present. When you learn to pay attention to what’s going on around you, you are in the “present.” Then recalling what they saw, heard, or smelled helps to reinforce the value of being present.

I loved this post:~)

By: Lori Hoeck

Lori Hoeck — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 23:28:54 +0000

Hi Janice,

One instructor had it right when he said from age 13 to 20 teenagers’ IQ seems to drop by half. Yes, so much is going on inside and outside of them it’s quite a ride!

Yes the film idea is a good one. My husband and I even dissect films this way, too.

I’d love to do such films, but life prevents me right now! Maybe in the near future.

By: janice

janice — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 12:19:53 +0000

What a fantastic resource, Lori! One of the hardest things for parents, when it comes to keeping kids safe, is how to introduce these topics without creating unecessary fear or ruining their childhoods with anxiety. I found it easier when mine were small. Now that I have teenagers, it’s harder but they need it SO much more; they’re going through so many brain disconnecting changes and faced with so many external dangers and challenges, they need to develop the ability to have relaxed alertness. My daughter’s friends think I’m mad when I plead with them not to walk home alone in the dark with their MP4’s on so loud, they can’t even hear someone talking to them.

One good way I’ve found of broaching the topic is to discuss films straight after we’ve seen them. For example, just last night, in a film called the Runaway Jury, my son was impressed by the main female character showing great presence of mind in a dire situation. (Using a heavy object in her handbag, fingers in the attacker’s eyes, leg sweeps, using the first sharp object that came to hand.) Maybe you could feature a series of film clips/screenshots of savvy women & kids coping and thriving by keeping their wits and being resourceful and alert.