The science behind kids participating in acrobatic sports like NinjaZone, gymnastics, dance, and yoga is multifaceted and encompasses various aspects of physical and cognitive development. NinjaZone believes these are critical foundations for children in not just sports, but in life. Here are some key scientific principles and factors to consider 1. Physical Development Muscle Development: Engaging in acrobatic sports helps kids develop strength, agility, and flexibility. The science behind this lies in the growth and adaptation of muscle fibers and the nervous system's ability to recruit muscle units effectively. Bone Health: Regular physical activity, including ninja-style movements, can contribute to stronger bones. Weight-bearing activities stimulate bone growth and density, reducing the risk of conditions like osteoporosis later in life. Coordination: Ninja sports require precise coordination of movements, which can improve a child's fine and gross motor skills. This development is linked to the brain's ability to process information and send signals to muscles. 2. Cognitive Development Problem-Solving: Ninja sports often involve solving puzzles and navigating complex obstacle courses. This challenges a child's problem-solving abilities, enhancing their cognitive skills. Focus and Concentration: Maintaining concentration during acrobatic performances is essential for safety and success. Engaging in these sports can help kids improve their attention span and focus. 3. Psychological Benefits Confidence: Achieving success in ninja sports can boost a child's self-esteem and confidence. This is linked to the science of positive reinforcement and the release of neurotransmitters like dopamine, which are associated with feelings of accomplishment. Resilience: Ninja sports often involve facing challenges and overcoming failures. These experiences can contribute to a child's emotional resilience and ability to cope with setbacks. 4. Biomechanics Balance and Stability: The science of biomechanics studies how the body's structure and movement interact. In ninja sports, kids learn to control their bodies and maintain balance, which involves understanding principles like center of gravity and leverage. Injury Prevention: Proper technique and body mechanics are critical for injury prevention. Kids learn to move in ways that minimize the risk of injury, and this is rooted in biomechanical principles. 5. Neuroplasticity Skill Acquisition: The brain's ability to adapt and form new neural connections, known as neuroplasticity, plays a significant role in acquiring and improving ninja skills. Training and practice strengthen these neural pathways over time. 6. Social Interaction: Teamwork and Communication: Ninja class involves peer involvement and group participation. These activities promote social interaction and communication skills, which are essential for a child's overall development. The science behind kids in ninja sport encompasses physical, cognitive, psychological, and biomechanical aspects. These activities offer numerous benefits that contribute to a child's overall development and well-being. Find a NinjaZone location near you! theninjazone.com/find-location

Cuts, scrapes, and bruises. Oh, my! All of these are bound to happen at some point when you have a very active child. Especially in the Summer time! 1. Frozen sponge as an ice-pack You’ll need a sponge, some water, and a sandwich bag. Simply, take the sponge and let it absorb as much as possible. Then, take the soaked sponge and place it in a sandwich bag. Finally, let the sponge freeze in the freezer so that it is ready for whenever it is needed—no need to use loose ice or buy gel ice packs that can burst and become hazardous. You can make as many frozen sponges as you like and reuse them as well! 2. Use honey if you don’t have hydrogen peroxide Don’t have any hydrogen peroxide around to disinfect? You can use honey on minor scrapes and cuts. Honey has anti-bacterial properties which make it a great substitute if you find yourself without any antiseptics. 3. Soothe mosquito bites with a banana peel Rub the inside of a banana peel on the affected area. The sugars from the peel help to draw out fluids from the bite. Banana peels also help to stop the itchy sensation! 4. Try getting splinters out with sticky tape Tweezers and splinters can be a little scary for kids. If the splinter is small enough and superficial, tape can be an easy substitute. Take a piece of sticky tape and put it over the splinter. When you pull it away the splinter should come right out with it. 5. Use baking soda to treat bee stings If your kiddo gets stung by a bee, no worries! You can make a paste out of baking soda and a little water. The basic mixing ratio for this is 3 parts of baking soda and one part water. Really, you just need to make sure it isn’t too runny. Make sure the stinger is out before putting this mixture on the bee sting. Let the paste sit on the area for 15 minutes and wash off. Baking soda helps to neutralize the venom from the sting which reduces inflammation and pain. Ninjas don't stay down for long!

We know you’ll be busy this Summer – so why not cross off some Summer Bingo squares along the way? We created an easy printable that you can hang on the fridge. Cross off each item as you do it and try to get to them all! Tag us in your summer fun photos on Instagram or Facebook. Save this free printable -

(Without Talking Down to Them) For Ninja trainers and coaches, dedicated to embedding the discipline, focused energy, and skill of a Ninja into students, the ability to properly communicate with children is vital. When talking and communication are done right throughout a lesson, students learn more, have more fun, and benefit from a more structured environment. With proper communication, everyone benefits and experiences an easier time as we work together to teach new skills and have fun. Read on below to discover several important guidelines to stick to when seeking to foster better communication with students, and experience the results for yourself! 5 Tips for Talking to Kids - 1. Speak to Students in a Mature Way For students training to be a Ninja, it’s important to acknowledge their self-felt status as a “big kid.” Students are eager to rise to the occasion as they learn new skills, and might be less willing to listen if they feel that they’re being spoken to as “babies.” Speak to them as you might to adults; slowly and clearly, with patience for questions, and you might find a more receptive class. 2. Make Eye Contact For many children, the feeling of personal attention is just as important as a mature tone of speech when addressing them. Maintaining eye contact while talking, and making it with as many students as possible, communicates a sense of “Yes, I’m talking to you too.” That connection to students can work wonders in a personal sense of connection and accountability as you seek to stay on task. 3. Stay Mindful As many successes as you have, when communicating with children there will inevitably be setbacks. There will be days when it’s more difficult to communicate, and it can be easy for frustration to begin creeping up during this time. Remember to stay mindful of the fact that difficulty happens less often than good behavior, and keep a calm demeanor as you attempt to keep things under control. 4. Help Students Set Their Own Limits The core of our program centers around allowing students to progress at their own pace and find their limits. Don’t be afraid to support a student if they want to try something you might feel is slightly out of their grasp. While keeping safety as a priority, allowing students to press themselves is part of the beauty of NinjaZone. As a guide, cheerleader, and chaperone, you’ll be part of an experience they’ll never forget! 5. Be Firm When Necessary As fun as training may be, limits are also necessary to ensure that each student has a safe, fun experience. When talking about and laying down boundaries, expectations, and discipline to ensure that everyone gets along, you will have to be firm and uncompromising in what you allow and what you don’t. By clearly communicating your expectations and sticking to them, students will accept your leadership without feeling babied. When you’re leading, you’re the teacher and head communicator rolled into one. By following the 5 Tips for Talking to Kids when interacting with students, you’re more likely to have a fun, safe and harmonious group of students.

For those rainy days when you and your kids are stuck inside for the day, try some of these Ninja-inspired crafts to pass the time! Share photos of you and your Ninjas crafting together on Instagram and Facebook . Make sure to tag us! Ninja Paper Plate This craft is fun for Ninjas of all ages. Find instructions here . Ninja Finger Puppets The finger puppets are perfect to act out all of your Ninja moves on a small scale. Find instructions here . Ninja LEGO Models If your Ninja has a big LEGO collection, try building these. Find instructions here . N is for Ninja If your Ninja is in the process of learning the alphabet, this is a great project for you to do together. Find instructions here . Ninja Stress Balls  Even if you aren’t stressed, these little Ninjas are fun to squish and play with. Find instructions here . Ninja Lollipops Satisfy your sweet tooth with these adorable Ninja suckers. Find instructions here . Ninja Craft Sticks Use these for play, or string a bunch of them together to make a Ninja garland. Find instructions here . Paper Bag Ninja How cute is this craft that can even do Ninja moves? Find instructions here . Ninja Origami Star This easy paper craft will allow your Ninja to sport the sacred symbol of Ninjas everywhere. Find instructions here . Flexible Ninjas This craft is a bit more advanced, but the fun will be well worth it. Find instructions here . Ninja Face Help your Ninja learn shapes with this easy craft. Find instructions here . Ninja Bots Have a blast with these paper cups-turned-robots. Find instructions here . Ninja Toilet Paper Rolls Reuse those old toilet paper rolls to create some awesome Ninjas. Find instructions here . Wobbly Ninjas Repurpose those Easter eggs sitting in your attic by making these fun Ninja eggs. Find instructions here .

It’s back-to-school season, and as a parent, I’m faced with many challenges — what school to send my child to, what types of clothes to buy him, what types of food to feed him, and which activities to sign him up for. Of course, while these decisions seem as simple as making a choice – in the back of my mind all I can think is “What if I choose the wrong path?” If you’re a parent – particularly a mother (because somehow we let these plagues manifest in our souls for what seems like forever) – you know my pain. What if I mess up my kid? What if I make the wrong decision for him? What if I don’t do enough to set him up for success? The problem is the answers are rarely clear. So, instead, I try to focus on what I want for my children and try to move intentionally through this parenting thing (because we all know it’s easy to get lost in all the decisions). As my oldest child prepares to finish his first week of kindergarten (WHAT.) I am choosing to reflect on my hopes for him as he moves through this crazy world. I hope you’re kind. Kahlil Gibran said, “Tenderness and kindness are not signs of weakness and despair, but manifestations of strength and resolution.” I hope you stand up for others and yourself. I hope you see people as inherently good, and always look for a way to be compassionate. I hope you one of the good guys. I hope you’re humble. I hope you know that there are ideas that are better than yours and there are causes deeper than your own. I hope you understand that there’s always learning to be done by others and there’s no such thing as being the best at everything. I hope you’re a hard worker. I hope you learn how to roll up your sleeves and get dirty. I hope you keep going even when the going gets tough. I hope you’re the one that everyone can count on to be there even when most people aren’t. I hope you have the courage to try and the ability to get up, dust yourself off, and keep going after you’ve failed. I hope you look at challenges as adventures. I hope you have guts and have gumption. I hope you have grit. I hope you have integrity. I hope you can easily see right from wrong, and have the courage to choose what’s right, even when everyone else is choosing something else. I hope you have the courage to speak your mind and know the truth in your heart, especially when others are silent on issues that matter. I hope you have a good sense of humor. I hope you’re silly. I hope you love to laugh and can find humor in most situations. I hope you find joy easily and are flexible enough to go with the flow when needed. There are so, so many more hopes I have for my children – and especially for my oldest, as he traverses through that first, foundational stage of life. I realize as a parent I have a great influence on the traits my child inherits — but I also understand that starting now, he’ll spend just as much, as if not more, time away from me, under the influence of others, than he will at home. Whoa. Even typing that I freak out a little. This reminds me I need to be intentional – now more than ever before – to be sure the activities, the people, the experiences I give my child are worthy. Are valuable. Are foundational. So, I guess I conclude this message with a hope for myself. I hope that I have enough strength and insight to choose programs, teachers, coaches, and influencers that can give my child the skills he needs to be everything I know he can be. I hope I am intentional.

Focusing the energy of an energetic child can seem like a full-time job. They won’t sit still. Always fidgeting. Constant movement and sometimes a lack of focus. That doesn’t have to be a bad thing. In fact, it can be focused on lessons that are both effective and fun. Tips for Energetic Children - 1. Participate In Sports Physical activity is essential for a child. In fact, it’s recommended that children receive 60 minutes of physical activity per day. Playing organized sports – in a team or individual setting – is a fun way to get that physical activity while building social skills. Individual sports like martial arts, tennis, swimming, and running can harness energy, as can team sports such as basketball, football, and soccer. 2. Take Dancing, Acting, or Singing Lessons If your child is interested, learning an instrument or becoming active in drama can be excellent activities. They serve as an energy outlet (outside of a sport) while requiring focus, coordination, and study. 3. Have Some Social Time Playing games with both family and friends can instill some skills such as patience, focus, strategy, and taking turns. Board games and non-competitive, cooperative games work well. 4. Set Up Obstacle Courses Setting up an obstacle course around the house or yard can burn some energy while also fostering creativity. Use the items in your house to create the course. Building an obstacle course and then timing your children as they race through it can be fun for hours! 5. Wrestling Whether it's jumping on mom or dad or playfully wrestling whether it’s appropriate or not, kids like a little roughhousing, and there are plenty of benefits as well. If available, there are also many benefits to organized wrestling. Benefits of Exercise In Children Even if it’s not a matter of focusing excess energy in your child, it’s clearly beneficial to encourage your child to participate in physical activity. Physical activity can increase cognitive development Physical fitness leads to lower rates of obesity Development of a broad array of sensory skills Regular exercise promotes positive self-image and emotional response Active children become active and healthy adults All of this may seem like a lot, but it isn’t. Luckily, there’s a place where you can have your child focus excess energy while sharpening discipline and skill. There’s also the benefit of getting out of the house and exercising and socializing with other kids. Sources: CDC.gov: https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/children/index.htm Psych Central: https://psychcentral.com/lib/6-benefits-of-roughhousing-for-kids/

It's Fall y'all and there is no better time to get together as a family and check off some classic Fall activities than right now! Check out this year's NinjaZone Fall Bucket List - Download the PDF -

Having employees is hard work. During stressful, busy, or chaotic times staff morale can hit a low point. When morale is down, negativity creeps into a workplace making the environment toxic. As business owners, directors, coaches, and leaders we need to work on changing the energy around us when it starts to go downhill. I am NOT perfect. Despite my many years in a leadership role, I still have to keep working on these strategies. Believe me when I tell you that awareness will lead to change. Here are 5 ways to lose that negative energy! 1. Pause. When you’re confronted with a negative situation, it’s our tendency to react quickly and hopefully squash it quickly. Take a deep breath, and let it be okay to say – “I need to put some thought into this.” Show your concern without judgment. Even a good “hmmmm….” works. Then take some time to empathize and think through it. 2. Ask questions, rather than making statements, and remove yourself from the cycle. I read an awesome management book called “The Coaching Habit” by Michael Bungay Stanier. I highly recommend it. In the book, they give seven stellar questions when meeting with an employee or co-worker. So often we find ourselves in “solve it” mode that we insert our opinions into the situation in an effort to help. Rather than assess, ask questions like, “Why is this a challenge for you?” or “How can I help?” When people realize that you’re not going to solve all of their problems, they’ll get the hint quickly. 3. Accept criticism as an opportunity, and try your best not to make excuses. Look at every mistake or critique as an opportunity to be better tomorrow. And don’t beat yourself up! Mistakes are part of growth, and the more you make the better you get. Someone cares about you, your team/staff, or your club enough to help you out.  Or, even if you don’t agree, they have a reason to believe what they believe. What vibe are you giving off that warrants the criticism? When people see that your intentions are true, they forgive, and will even support you further.  As a leader, if you kindly accept criticism, so will the people that look up to you. 4. Appreciate Daily – as much as you can. This is another one that I’ve had to seriously work on. I always thought that if I handed out too many compliments people would stop working. Soooo not the case. Think about it…How do you feel when you’re criticized? How do YOU feel when you’re praised? People (just like kids) want to do more of what they’re praised for. I certainly don’t mean to be fake, but if you make it a habit to appreciate what people do right, you’ll be amazed at how receptive they, your staff and coworkers, are to make changes when you need them to. 5. Make gossip a fireable offense. Sound crazy? I heard this from Dave Ramsey at a conference. “You are every problem and every solution in your business,” he said. It hit me like a ton of bricks. What? Do you mean I don’t just have to deal with the gossip and negativity? This single statement means we as owners, managers, and leaders have the ability to choose. We choose the hire, we choose the expectations, we choose what to manage, and we choose what to make a priority. A LOT of responsibility? Yes. But with responsibility comes freedom. You’re in charge and you have the choice to choose. Dave Ramsay, and now all of my companies use his definition of gossip. “Gossip is negative talk without a proposed solution.” And you can get fired for it. We haven’t had to do it, nor do I hope it ever comes to that, but since simply discussing this with the staff, the changes have been amazing. What do you do to change negative energy? What makes your staff culture great? Let me know in the comments.

School will be starting soon, or it may have started for some of your kids. A great way to get your child pumped for the year is to have them set some goals and tackle them one goal at a time! Goals promote great character traits in your kids such as responsibility and discipline. Setting goals will also help keep your child motivated throughout the year! An easy way to create goals is by using the S.M.A.R.T. method. This method allows for goals to be clear and achievable for children and even adults. Let me break down what each of the letters means and give examples! S.M.A.R.T. Goal Method S- Specific. This means that the goal isn’t vague or too broad. They should simply explain the what, why, and how of what you plan to do. For example, “I want to make $20 by starting up a lemonade stand so that I can buy that new toy I want. It clearly identifies what they are doing, how they are going to do it, and why. M- Measurable. A goal should be able to be measured. If you can’t measure it, how can you track your progress? Sticking with the lemonade stand example, “I will sell 20 cups of lemonade for a dollar each.” They can easily measure how well they are doing by seeing how many more cups they need to sell. A- Attainable. The goal needs to be achievable and realistic. Will the child be able to reach the goal? “I will set up the lemonade stand with the help of my mom.” R- Relevant. Is this goal worth it? Goals are a great thing but can become a problem when they aren’t necessary for what they want in life. “Creating a lemonade stand will help me to gain money for the new toy I want.” T- Time-bound. This is essentially creating a timeline and setting a deadline for the goal to stay on track. “I will sell lemonade Friday afternoon and finish selling on Saturday afternoon.” Download our free SMART Guide!

School is starting up soon! There’s a long list of things you need to get ready. From all the supply shopping to your child’s first-day jitters it can be hard to keep track of everything you need to be prepared! Here are 8 tips to help get you ready for the back-to-school season. 1. Re-adjust your kids’ sleep schedule two weeks before school starts. This will help them to get back into the swing of things. The two weeks will help cause their sleep schedule to readjust in time for the school year. 2. Find a program or activity that your kid can do after school. Extracurriculars are a great way to keep your child involved. They also have another opportunity to make new friends! 3. Let your kids play a part in picking out supplies and clothes. Having them help pick out their pencils, binders, or clothes can make the back-to-school season more enjoyable! Need a cool backpack?? Check this one out! 4. Have your kid set some goals for the year. Setting goals will help keep your kids motivated going into the school year. For some helpful information on goal setting check out this excellent blog post here! 5. Have backup transportation. Nothing is worse than scrambling to find your kid a ride if the car breaks down, or they miss the bus. Make sure you have a backup plan so your kids are on time for some serious learning! 6. Set your clocks forward 10 minutes. It has worked time and time again! Tricking yourself into thinking that you are running late but you end up being on time! 7. Do something fun before the school year starts. This will help to ease the stress and get a last 00-rah in! 8. Get pumped! Get excited! The school year is starting! Your Ninja is ready to tackle another awesome year!

How children benefit when they focus their energy into achievement and improvement Whether your child goes to year-round school or has a traditional schedule with 8 weeks off, summer is the time for kids to be kids. If they’re out of school, children are running around and it seems like they’re bouncing off the walls. There are ways to channel that energy into productivity, while still allowing kids the fun that makes summertime memorable. Ultimately, what do we want our children to get out of their summers? Fun and exercise come to mind. What about those combined with a sense of accomplishment, confidence, and structure? At NinjaZone, we run classes for children of all ages to learn discipline and focus their energy all while having fun! Children participate at their own pace – within a proven structure – and after a few classes, the summer turns into a showcase for marked improvement that your child will love. Here are some benefits of the programs that will make your child’s summer worthwhile for all the right reasons: Harnessed Energy If you notice your child’s energy seems endless – the product of a restless summer – our structured yet physically engaging programs will make the best use of that energy. Increased Confidence Activity, learning, and accomplishment all lead to increases in confidence. By staying active and learning new skills, your child’s confidence will soar. By learning at his or her own pace, you will see newfound resiliency and determination that will cross over into other parts of your child’s life. Improved Athletic Skills Ninjas don’t have to be athletic superstars to participate. In fact, we thrive with kids of all energy and ability levels. Improved balance, coordination, cardiovascular health, and the strengthening of muscles and bones are all benefits found after spending time in our program. Discipline By no means are Ninja Zone classes like going into the military, but your child will find a certain level of discipline while also enjoying the program. For instance, if your youngster needs to work on listening, taking turns, or sticking to new challenges, joining us may be the ticket to improvement within those areas. Don’t let summer pass by with video games and ice cream. OK just kidding, some ice cream is good! But you can help your child have fun and be productive this summer at NinjaZone. Teach your child what more than 80,000 kids have found at our 250+ locations. You can have fun, burn energy, be healthy and learn all at the same time. Find a Ninja Zone location near you and make the most of your summer!