Badge Award System

Physical Skill and Fitness - Physical fitness activities, even repetitive ones, can be fun. Naturally these activities do more than just provide fun. They can make family members healthier as well as bring families closer together. Learning new physical skills will give a child more confidence and self- esteem. All the techniques will serve to strengthen their body and prepare them for the future rigors of kung fu. If good technique and teamwork are emphasized, the child will learn many important things that extend beyond the activity.

Canada & Community Appreciation - One goal of kung fu is to develop the individual physically while instilling a sense of respect for others. With the physical skill, each student is taught humility and learns greater empathy by developing responsible citizenship skills and appreciation. This begins with the children developing an understanding of their community and how it works.

Health and Safety - It is important for the development of self-esteem and confidence, for children to feel adequately equipped to deal with an emergency when there is no adult present. In our expanding world, there are times when they will not be under the immediate protection of a parent or other adult family member and must care for themselves.

Family and Nature - Family is an important part of every child’s life. An understanding of other family members and a respect for the family structure and heritage will serve to strengthen their family. Part of learning respect is developing an understanding of the world and an appreciation for its balance and harmony. These skills give the opportunity to reinforce values about family, environment and conservation.

Creativity and Communication - Two skills that are important in the development of discipline and respect. Creative skills require patience for success. Patience goes a long way to developing discipline that will serve an individual in every facet of their lives. Communication is a big word for a child but an important one. Communication skills are necessary to develop understanding and respect of others.

At Silent River Kung Fu, we teach kung fu as a mental discipline as well as a physical discipline. The skills kung fu teaches are as useful at home and at school as they are in kung fu class. By taking the discipline and work ethic they are developing in their kung fu class and applying them in the world, Little Leopards, Tiny Tigers, Black Dragons, and Roaring Lions can earn six differnent badges as a reward for their efforts. Each badge earned serves as a constant reinforcement of the concept of progression and improvement through discipline and effort.

The Chih, or ambition Star is a powerful tool that parents can use to reward positive behaviour in their children. Parents can present their children with this badge for improvement in school, making their bed without being asked, or any effort in an aspect of their life that warrants recognition.

Each of the five animal badges incorporates challenges from five “Big Ideas” that will give a child a sense of respect and appreciation for themselves and the world around them.

Badge System.