East Coast Black Belt Academy
Ages 7 to 13
East Coast Black Belt Academy prides itself on being the premier martial arts school for children in the Middle Island area. We teach children the skills they need to succeed, while they learn to protect themselves. Our system and teaching methods are simply life-transforming. Our program has been specifically designed to meet both the physical and mental needs of growing children, with special attention given to navigating the "tween" years. From focus and goal-setting to self-discipline and self-respect, our Lessons in Mindfulness equip our young students to face life’s ever-changing challenges.
This unique martial arts program places a strong emphasis on building the foundation for your child’s future SUCCESS!
There are few activities that can benefit your child’s development as effectively as martial arts. Our age-specific children’s Program is tailored to bring out the maximum potential within each child and provide them with the best instruction possible.
Martial arts will help your child develop important life skills that will give them a head start in everything they do. As your child progresses, you will see their character take shape, their confidence grow, and their self-esteem soar.
Incorporated within the self-defense lessons are strategies for dealing with strangers and bullies, as well as how to avoid negative peer pressure both in real life and online!
Our Children’s Program teaches practical martial arts and proven self-defense methods, but more importantly, we teach our young students how to handle the tough challenges that appear throughout childhood. Our students learn that physical self-defense is the last resort and rarely necessary. We stress to our students that the techniques they learn in class will work and should never be used for "showing off" or to intimidate others.
East Coast Black Belt Academy students learn how to avoid conflict, set and achieve goals, make responsible choices, avoid negative peer pressure, and many other important skills crucial for success in life! Put simply, our Children’s Program emphasizes complete physical, mental, and emotional development.
Along with exercises to develop balance, coordination, and agility, we identify each child's unique abilities and utilize positive motivation and reinforcement to bring out the best in them. The kind, encouraging instructors at East Coast Black Belt Academy teach in a patient and structured manner, ensuring your child has a wonderful experience. What's more, the positive experiences your child has here will help them feel confident when facing new experiences and making new friends outside of class.
To succeed in life, children must acquire the skills and habits necessary to confront difficult challenges and remain positive and focused, regardless of the outcome. It is also essential for them to learn how to collaborate and compete with their peers while respecting themselves and others.
As they hone their physical abilities and learn to trust in their own capabilities, their self-confidence and self-esteem will skyrocket. Ultimately, our classes teach children to hold themselves to a higher standard with both confidence and humility, equipping them with the tools to succeed in life.
One of the best things about martial arts is that it delivers an elite level of physical fitness while kids are having fun. Most of the time, they don't even realize they're exercising. But make no mistake, kids who take martial arts are some of the most well-conditioned children around. Martial arts provide cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, flexibility, agility, and balance. There are really no other sports or activities that can compare.
Childhood obesity is at epidemic levels today. We work with students who need to lose weight to help them break unhealthy habits and set realistic fitness goals. The lessons children learn will follow them into adulthood, setting them up for a lifetime of good health and a positive self-image.
In many conventional sports, there are always some children who do very well and others who struggle. We have a slogan: "There are no bench warmers in our school." Every child excels in our program, developing their confidence in the process so that they will be able to deal with any situation life presents to them.
Our objective is to help each and every child grow in a positive manner while equipping them with abilities that will help them in school, at home, on the playground, and, of course, in situations where they have to stand up for themselves. Our ultimate goal is to help you raise children that are unstoppable.
At East Coast Black Belt Academy, we do not take belt promotion lightly. We do everything in our power to teach students to be patient, determined, and goal-oriented, so when they do earn their belts, they feel a great sense of accomplishment that really boosts their confidence and self-esteem.
And unlike sports or other activities where only some kids score the points or get the medals, every student at East Coast Black Belt Academy gets to experience the personal reward of advancing from one level to the next.
Bullying hurts. It causes psychological and emotional scars that can last a lifetime. Regardless of whether your child is the victim of bullying, or the one doing it, low self esteem is usually the cause, and it will eventually lead to poor school performance, depression and labeling.
East Coast Black Belt Academy has the solution. Our program builds physical, mental and emotional strength, while our students learn both self respect, and respect for others. Children who believe in themselves not only make poor targets for bullies, they learn to stand up and "find their voice." At the same time, children who were inclined towards bullying learn they don't need to intimidate others to feel self-worth.
Many parents worry that martial arts may make their child more aggressive, but in reality, it's the exact opposite. Martial arts teaches children self control. Our students learn to stand up for themselves and their principles, and to respond to bullying in the most effective manner, with physical force being the last resort. The advantage to the techniques we teach is that they are totally non-violent, and are only applied in response physical aggression, ensuring that they are never used for the wrong reason. Most importantly, our students learn they can walk away from trouble with courage and authority.
Our Children In Action!
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Our Members Love us - Their Words Not Ours...
I went to East Coast Black Belt Academy when I was younger with my brother and mom. We loved it and were always treated like family. Now that I have my own children, I have brought them. My son is already learning self-discipline and respect. This is such a great atmosphere for young kids!
Elizabeth G.
This school has taught my two kids so much more than just karate. They encourage kindness, good behavior, hard work, self-confidence, and the value of community. We joined 2-1/2 years ago for self-defense for our two children, and we have gained so much more. Needless to say, I highly recommend this school!
Ms. Ashleigh D.
Try Out The Best Children’s Karate Classes In Middle Island Today!
Join the family here at East Coast Black Belt Academy and see for yourself what we have to offer.
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Greetings...
My name is Jerry Figgiani and I am the owner and principal instructor at East Coast Black Belt Academy. Since 1990, I have been sharing my unique approach to children’s martial arts education with the community. Since 1990, we've delivered practical, effective, and life-transforming skills to children, youth, and teens in the Middle Island area. In 2012, I was awarded the National Police Athletic League Mentor Award, which recognized, on a national level, my Childhood Character Development Program. This Program integrates the values of our karate program with our students everyday lives. While this honor was humbling, to say the least, it pales in comparison to the look on a parent’s face when they share stories of their child’s elevated self-confidence — the ability to ward off a bully, stay focused on a task, or set and achieve their goals. I want every parent to know how earnestly I value this sacred trust that I feel so privileged to have.
Our unique Children’s Karate Program is designed to enable your child to take the lessons of discipline, self-respect and respect for others, along with focus and self-confidence, out of the karate school and into their everyday lives. By demonstrating these dynamic and constructive leadership skills not only in class but also at home and in school, students and parents alike will experience the amazing transformation, both mentally and physically, that East Coast Black Belt Academy has become known for.
Simply stated, my philosophy is that the best way for a student to demonstrate their karate skills is to be respectful and responsible every day, both inside the karate school and out. As a published author and featured columnist in Masters Magazine, I have published a body of work that focuses on guiding students of all ages through the immense benefits of enhanced character development through the study of Okinawan Martial Arts. My Mental Martial Arts Program has received critical acclaim and has produced so many success stories. I encourage parents to watch this amazing process unfold from the comfort of our spacious, open, and accessible viewing area. From that unique vantage point, you will see first-hand as your child transitions into a more focused, confident, and disciplined individual. I promise you that the transformation will be amazing!
– Jerry Figgiani