More Than Just Martial Arts: The Gracie Bullyproof© Program
Years ago, I read A Thomas Jefferson Education by Oliver DeMille, a book that explores leadership based homeschooling. DeMille outlines four distinct phases of learning. The first three phases mirror the ideology of our Bullyproof program.
The Core Phase: Building the Foundation
This phase focuses on building character and relationships. It emphasizes “right and wrong”, work ethic, and values. Our first class in the Bully proof program is Mat Munchkins. This is for children ages 3-4. The students’ parents get to be the child’s training partner and play on the mat as well. In this class, we learn Jiu Jitsu through playing lots of games. The children learn about being kind, but also about setting boundaries with friends and strangers to keep themselves safe. They are also learning to work and do hard things through play.
Love of Learning: Encouraging Curiosity
The second phase is called Love of Learning and correlates well with our second and third classes called Little Champs and Junior Grapplers. These classes are for children ages 5-12. While continuing to work on character building and values, this phase encourages curiosity and exploration while learning basic Jiu Jitsu techniques. We prioritize fun and exploration. When a student asks, “What if the opponent does this?” our instructors encourage them to test it out. So while the students are drilling the technique, they also get to explore. This inquiry-based drilling ensures students genuinely love stepping onto the mat.
The Scholar Phase: Pursuit of Excellence
The third phase is called the Scholar Phase and it correlates well with our fourth class called Black Belt Club. This is for students up to age 14. This phase is characterized by intensive study. In Black Belt club, the kids have shown that they can be a good training partner, and keep themselves and the others in the class safe. Here, the “play” of the younger years evolves into “play with a more focused study”. They show a dedicated interest in Jiu Jitsu, and so our instructors can show them not only advanced techniques, but also really dive into the principles of Jiu Jitsu.
By teaching these classes with the natural phases of learning, we are able to teach more than just martial arts; we are able to mentor the whole child. Whether they are discovering their own boundaries in the Core Phase, exploring their potential in Love of Learning, or refining their discipline in the Scholar Phase, our students develop a leadership education that serves them far beyond the mats.