KFMA Tigers – Preschool Martial Arts

KFMA Tigers, our preschool martial arts program, has been taught at KFMA successfully for the past 30 years. Our program is lead by Chief Master Laura Kowkabany, who leads every Tiger class we teach, and she was one of the first instructors in the nation to begin teaching the ATA’s Karate for Kids program.

What is the Right Age for a KFMA Tiger to Start?

At KFMA, we begin training for preschoolers at age 4, as experience has taught us that this is the perfect age for ‘most’ kids to begin their training. After an initial class, Chief Master Kowkabany will meet with the parents and discuss if their child is ready for the structure of our Tiger class. Sometimes a child needs a little more maturity before s/he is ready to start training in our Tiger class, but most kids are ready around this age.

What is the Goal of KFMA Tiger Training

The initial goal for our preschoolers is to learn to take directions from an instructor without having their parents by their side. They also work on developing social skills, like working with partners and learning to take turns during certain drills. Tigers will learn to take instructions, mostly fairly simple in nature, but also challenging enough to keep them learning and developing. This training leads to the goal of making them ready for school and for more serious martial arts training.

What Martial Arts Drills do KFMA Tigers learn?

The basis for all of our training in our KFMA preschool classes is Songahm Taekwondo, and our Tigers will learn the same techniques taught to our older kids and adults, but with less focus on the complex details. You will see our Tigers doing high blocks, punches, jump kicks, and even some spin kicks at the advanced Tiger level. In addition to developing their balance and coordination, Tigers will do fitness drills that include push-ups, leg raises, and some light cardio drills. This creates a great foundation for their future martial arts training and personal fitness and introduces them to the concepts of self-discipline and focus.

Where Should my Preschool Child Train in Martial Arts?

Every school has its own ‘personality,’ and every preschool martial arts program is different, based on the leadership and instruction of the Chief Instructor. We suggest you check out reviews, look up credentials, and ask your friends for referrals; then go visit the schools that interest you the most. Your child (and you) must feel comfortable in the school and its training environment.

For more information on Chief Master Laura Kowkabany’s credentials, please see this article: https://teamkowkabany.com/chief-master-laura-kowkabany/

How Often do KFMA Tigers Attend Class?

At KFMA we offer three Tiger classes per week, and our Tigers attend two of these. While missing a class once in a while is expected, the twice a week training really helps to reinforce the physical skills as well as the life skills (courtesy, respect, self-discipline) that we teach. That’s why you are allowed to make-up a missed class, and you may choose which two to attend each week (without having to schedule them in advance).

For More Information or to Get Started…

For over 40 years , we have been teaching families the benefits of martial arts training, and for the past 30 years we have been teaching exclusively in the Westchase, Oldsmar and Odessa communities. If you would like to visit our academy to watch a class or to try one, please feel free to give us a call. KFMA is located at 13910 Monroes Business Park, just two doors down from the Tampa Bay Brewing Company off Racetrack Road. For more information, please feel free to contact us at 813-540-5528.

Kowkabany’s Family Martial Arts is chartered with the American Taekwondo Association: https://atamartialarts.com/