Teaching a Student’s Future Self

Last week, I encountered a pre-teen student in class who was struggling with their lefts and rights. They became frustrated and a little dejected.

So I sat the entire class of 25 students down and said this:

“Remembering your lefts and rights, especially for older children, is a function of listening.”

I’ve taught this lesson before and some people laugh when they hear this teaching statement. But over many years of teaching, I have realised something important.

When I teach a child who struggles with left and right, I remind myself:

“I’m not teaching a student as they appear before me today. I’m teaching their future self. In fact, I may be teaching a future CEO…perhaps even a future Richard Branson.”

Not because they know left from right right now, but because of what happens when it finally clicks.

To consistently recognise left and right under pressure, especially when it doesn’t come naturally to them, a child must develop:
• focus
• listening
• attention to detail
• body awareness
• concentration
• and the ability to stay present

These are not just karate skills. These are life skills.

One day, those same skills might help them:
• listen carefully in conversations
• read reports properly
• lead teams
• solve problems
• and make better decisions

Karate-do is never only about punching and kicking. Sometimes a simple exercise like learning left and right is really teaching a child how to think, focus, process information, and grow.

That is why good martial arts instruction should never rush children or label children too quickly.

Sometimes the child who struggles today is quietly developing the foundations for leadership tomorrow.

By the way, after this short teaching moment, this child smiled, tried harder, and immediately improved…and so did the other kids in the class.

It was a good class.