Information for parents to help ensure children's success at home, in school and in life.
Did you know we offer an exciting summer camp for kids in Charlotte? Children ages 6-13 (5-13 if they are current Peaceful Dragon students) will enjoy kung fu classes, weekly field trips, Chinese language lessons, and so much more!
Read all about it here: http://thepeacefuldragon.com/summercamp.shtml
Posted in Summer Camp.
– May 7, 2012
If you are an NBA basketball fan, then you might have watched the Boston Celtics play the Miami Heat of Game 3 of the Eastern Conference SemiFinals on May 7, 2011. Of course, if you did see the game, or if you saw the highlights, you also saw Rajon Rondo, starting point guard for the Celtics, fall and dislocate his elbow. To be more precise, you saw Rondo attempt to break his fall by extending his arm. His hand absorbs the impact of the fall, but his elbow contorts quite awkwardly. This action of trying to brace the fall by extending the arm is what caused the injury.
(WARNING: NOT for the squeamish, but if you wish, watch the short clip of the fall here: Rondo dislocates elbow)
In kung fu classes, children (and adults) learn how to fall the “right” way, which helps to prevent major injury. Known as “breakfalls,” there are many major points to remember are, some of which are as follows:
During kung fu classes, we often the entire duration of the class to teaching correct falling techniques. The constant repetition of these correct drills helps falling, without serious injury, become second nature for martial artists.
With the kids, we begin in stages. First, children “fall” on padded mats from a starting position on their knees. Then, they begin to fall from a standing position. Next, they are physically pushed or thrown by a classmate or an instructor. The “final level” if you will, is when the child can be pushed or thrown on any surface, including a wooden floor, a ceramic floor, asphalt, concrete, etc.
In a real-life self-defense situation, an opponent (in the case of a child, a bully) isn’t going to necessarily choose to throw a would-be victim on a padded mattress. Moreover, KIDS FALL ALL THE TIME: whether while playing sports, bike riding, running, on the playground, or even from not being physically coordinated (quite common during adolescence as the child begins to grow at a very rapid pace and is getting used to a new body).
Of course, doing a break fall on a hard surface may lead to a few minor bumps, bruises, and/ or scratches; however, ANY of these minor “hurts” are FAR less painful and heal much more quickly than a broken bone or a dislocation.
Posted in Uncategorized.
– May 10, 2011
Concerned about healthy food choices for your children? Confused about multi-syllabic words on nutrition labels?
Join Nita Ewald, graduate of the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, and board certified by the American Association of Drugless Practitioners as a Holistic Health Counselor, for a free lecture at The Peaceful Dragon this Thursday, Feb. 17 from 5:30pm-6:15pm. Ewald is a parent of two who is passionate about working with children to improve their quality of life.
Attend this lecture and you’re sure to be better informed when helping your child eat in a healthy way!
Posted in Uncategorized.
– February 16, 2011
Welcome to 4709 on the Chinese New Year calendar! Today, The Year of the Rabbit has been celebrated by over a billion people worldwide! Here in the U.S., more people are beginning to recognize this important holiday in Asian culture. Part of this recognition is not only because of different Asian populations in major metropolitan areas who have brought aspects of their culture to share, but also because many in the West have begun to explore, learn about, and appreciate other cultures.
We’ve found several websites that offer useful crafts, activities, and games for children, which help introduce them to this holiday in an interactive and fun way. Take a look at some of these if you wish to incorporate this holiday tradition into your family. Have fun! Gung hei fat choi
http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/chinese_new_year.htm
http://crafts.kaboose.com/holidays/chinese_new_year.html
http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/family/chinese-new-year-crafts.htm
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/chinesenewyear/
http://www.preschoolexpress.com/holiday_station07/chinese_new_year_feb07.shtml
Posted in Uncategorized.
– February 3, 2011
For thousands of years, qigong has been used in the China not only to treat a myriad of illnesses and disorders, but also to promote overall well-being. In the past few decades, more people in the West have discovered and practiced qigong for its health benefits. But qigong is not only for adults. In a recent study, researchers have shown how qigong can help children reduce stress.
More information about qigong’s benefits for children may be found here: http://bit.ly/gVH8LW
Posted in Uncategorized.
– January 20, 2011
If you’re a parent, you know firsthand the challenges and rigors of raising healthy and happy children. What’s more, if you’ve spent any amount of time researching different approaches to parenting, discipline, and child development, you probably realize there are countless opinions on the “best” way to raise children.
A recent article in The Wall Street Journal has set off a firestorm of controversy on notions of child-rearing. The article, “Why Chinese Mothers are Superior,” asserts that Chinese mothers’ very strict guidelines lead to children having better success academically and in the arts. Here’s a link to the article: http://tinyurl.com/4jcpmug
Also, here’s just one of many rebuttals: http://tinyurl.com/4rm4pgu
What are your thoughts?
Posted in Uncategorized.
– January 18, 2011
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