Kids Sports Games:
Learning To Focus Games
CHOCOLATE CHOMP

This is one of the many kids sports games and party games we have adapted as listening exercises during our "learning to focus" theme this term. I find the children are tired after a term at school and learn better if more games are included in their sword training over the last couple of weeks. The kids know this is going to happen and we have fewer absences than we would if training continued at the same intensity right up to the end of term.

Why Use Kids Sports Games and Party Games

They are often new twists on already famililiar favourites, making them easy for children to learn.
They can be given a specific emphasis to fit our sword training or another martial art.
They are fun and rewarding while still teaching valuable skills.

How To Play Chocolate Chomp

You will need:

Children who are allowed to eat chocolate.
A cricket helmet with grille.
Large block of chocolate.
Knives and forks.
Sword fighting gloves.
A numbering system. We use a plastic bottle of tiny numbered balls used for pool games. A dice will do.

The coffee table is set up with knives and forks, helmet, gloves, and a plate with chocolate on it. The children each choose a pool ball number, memorise it, and the balls are put in the teacher's pocket to be shuffled around. The children sit in a circle well back from the table.

When the teacher pulls out a ball and calls a number, the child owning that number must come to the table, put on the gloves and helmet, cut squares of chocolate one at a time with the knife and fork, and pass them through the grille to their mouth,

We give them twenty seconds per turn and a maximum of three squares of chocolate during each turn. Most are lucky to get one piece in before the next number is called and a new child begins. Some children will get several turns. This rates highly with good listening exercises as the children must hear their number.

What the Game Teaches

Kids sports games only have a place in martial arts if they are teaching skills the children need. In this one, the children:

Are learning to focus in order to hear their number called.
Are learning to put on gloves and helmet quickly.
Are learning to adjust for fine motor skills through heavy gloves.
Are learning the true distance between grille and face - very necessary for tournament scoring.
Patience in waiting for a turn.
Discipline to put down the chocolate when their turn is over, even if they didn't get a piece.
Self control when other children get several turns before they do.

Adapted kids sports games and party games can take children where we want them to go in their martial arts training.

More Sword Training Games:

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