NOTE: ABD Norwich is currently only accepting students age 6 and up!
Kindergarten Teacher: "I truly believe that the lessons he has learned over the last 3 1⁄2 years at karate will continue to help him succeed in school and later in life."
The Sechens of Hanover CT
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To speak to an ABD Instructor and get your child involved in or Kids Karate classes, simply fill in your info below. An instructor will contact you shortly.
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Dear Sensei McShane,
I have been meaning to tell you how much my boys and I enjoy taking karate. For years, I have known how much of a difference you and Mr. Hesser have made in George's life. He struggled through kindergarten and part of what helped him through is the confidence and self esteem that you have helped instilled in George. He was able to succeed throughout 1st grade and is confident going into 2nd grade. I truly believe that the lessons he has learned over the last 3 1⁄2 years at karate will continue to help him succeed in school and later in life. When Andrew was close to old enough, you took him on too. I know he was/is probably too young, but you and your staff work with him and make him successful also. The kindness and caring you have all shown to my children is well beyond what we expected when we first joined your school. After watching George's classes, I often thought about trying karate myself. When Andrew signed up, I decided to give it a try. As nervous as I was, you and your staff made me feel comfortable. Over the past few months, I have noticed so many chances in myself. I definitely enjoy the workout. You push me to do things I never thought I could or would do. Both my husband and I have noticed a greater level of confidence in myself. I wish that I had known the self defense techniques years ago. Thank you again for all you, Mr. Hesser and the rest of the staff have done for my family, Megin Sechen, Hanover CT |
Does one or more of these describe your child?
…Trouble Sitting Still or Listening?
Maybe your child has been diagnosed with ADD or ADHD, maybe not. Either way, he has a hard time sitting still or concentrating long enough to get something done. This can be really frustrating, especially if you’re getting calls from school about his behavior.
Would it help your child to have focus? How would your child’s life change if they not only began to concentrate, but had the desire to learn the skills of concentration and focus? …Disrespectful?
Maybe with you, maybe with teachers or with others she should listen to. Maybe it comes in the form of talking back, or just a sense of resistance. This can be alarming, especially if she isn’t even a teenager yet. The pattern of disrespecting authority can start early.
What if your child wanted to be respectful? What if it’s a skill they were interested in developing, and would continue getting better and better? …Getting Bullied?
Bullying is not a rite of passage through childhood, and it’s worse now than it ever was. Did you know that bullies actually have a build in “radar” for searching out easy targets? If your child is being bullied, it’s extremely likely that they are unconsciously “sending signals” that attract bullies like sharks.
There are also signals that repel or discourage bullies. Does your child know them? …Little Self-Discipline?
She's smart and capable, but just won’t listen. The constant reminders are piling up and still nothing is getting done. You try to be strict with her, you try to reward her, but it doesn’t work all the time. Symptoms of a lack of self-discipline can show up as:
- Over-eating, usually junk food. - A reluctance to exercise or play outside. - Incomplete homework, resulting in bad grades even though they’re smart enough. - Messiness, in their room, belongings, and appearance. How would it feel to watch your child begin to set goals, take pride in his or her appearance, and to do the right thing without being told? … Bad temper?
Maybe he can’t stop putting his hands on other kids, or has developed a nasty habit of taking out his anger inappropriately. Or he's talking back to you. Your threats and punishments aren’t working anymore and you need more leverage. Are you worried that things can only get worse?
What if your child could channel that negative energy into something constructive, week in and week out? If they had a positive outlet and were actually learning the skills necessary to control themselves? …Overly shy?
It’s natural for kids to be shy sometimes, but do you worry that her shyness may go deeper? Some warning signs are uneasiness in speaking with adults, or difficulty making and keeping friends. What does it mean if your child prefers video games or the internet to playing with other kids? Do you worry that the social habits they develop (or don’t develop) now will affect them later in life?
If they could only have the confidence they need. What would happen if your child suddenly felt better about herself? How would it be if he could look adults in the eye and speak with confidence? How would this ability help him later in life? … A Habit of Quitting?
Does your child seem unmotivated or easily bored? Maybe he plays sports and doesn't excel at them or even enjoy them, participating only long enough for the novelty to wear off. He doesn’t seem to stick with anything for very long, jumping from one thing to another and never following through. Even worse, what if he carries this habit into college, his career, or even marriage?
If they found something they liked, and had a real reason to stick with it, would that do it? What if it was something you could work on together, to set a goal and help your child achieve it, being next to them every step of the way? … None of the Above.
Maybe your child is doing great. You feel really lucky as a parent to have a kid like that. It’d be great to see her focus her talent, creating some great habits at an early age to help her succeed in the future.
Would you like to see your child developing even more focus, self-discipline, respect, and self-control in a structured activity? |
Dear Parent –
 Charlie McShane, Master Instructor
My name is Charlie McShane. I’m the Master Instructor at America’s Best Defense in Norwich, CT. I’ve been teaching the kids of New London county for a long time, and I think I can help you if you’re serious about equipping your child with some real life-skills.
I’ve seen it over and over again. A parent is seeing a specific problem in their son or daughter. Maybe it’s a lack of respect, inability to listen, or shyness, and they need help. They’ve tried threatening, punishment, bargaining – and none of it has worked. Within weeks of starting karate classes, the habit begins to disappear, and even be replaced by new skills. It's happened before... a parent comes to me, holding back tears, and tells me they can’t believe what my Martial Arts program has done for their child. When this happens, I always wonder the same things. What would this child have been like if they’d never had the martial arts experience? If they’d never learned to truly focus or set goals? If they’d skipped this part of their development entirely and gone through life, never understanding self-discipline or self-control? Or worse, never having had the confidence to try? Sometimes my imagination is confirmed when I run into an ex-student. Maybe they’re in high school, college, or even beyond college – and they tell me THEY can’t imagine what it would have been like to not have had martial arts in their lives. That they don’t even know where they would be today if they hadn’t had that structure and positive reinforcement as a kid. It makes what I do at my little martial school seem very, very important. That’s why I take it seriously when someone like you comes to me looking for help. |
Would You Like Your Child To Grow Up Having:
With The America’s Best Defense martial arts system, your child will experience a cutting edge program that is continually refined using the latest in Child Psychology, Coaching, and Character Development. This means that the improvements your child makes will not be “happy byproducts”, but something intentionally "trained and ingrained", and used into adulthood. |
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18 Ways the America’s Best Defense Program Develops Great Kids:
1 - The Encouragement That Comes With A Positive Environment: Our school attracts quality people. It’s kind of weird, but not really a mystery that only nice people stick around this place. The parents who come to our Dojo are raving fans of their kids, but also of everyone else’s kids. It’s not uncommon for our entire seating section to burst into a round of applause for a child who got a good report card. Now THAT’S positive. If it truly “takes a village”, then THIS little school is a village.
2 - The Strong Reinforcement of Parental Involvement: One thing you’ll notice when you come into my little Dojo is that we have a lot of chairs for spectators. There are martial arts schools out there that don’t want you to stay and watch classes because they think it’s distracting. However, here’s what I’ve found in 12 years of teaching: The kids who get the most out of our program also happen to have the parents who are most involved. This isn’t a coincidence. I encourage you to not just drop your child off, but to stay and be involved. Trust me, your child will notice how much attention you give their efforts in class, and they will LOVE YOU for it. 3 - The Structure of a Proven System: The America's Best Defense karate program is mapped out, start to finish. The path from White Belt to Black Belt and beyond is designed to keep your child motivated and on track. They will understand that accomplishment comes from hard work and focus, both in and out of the Dojo. 4 - The Feeling of Praise & Recognition: Ever find yourself only noticing or acknowledging when your child messes up? At our Dojo, we LOOK for the good, and when we see it, we make it a big deal in front of everybody. The best (and some say only) way of creating a confident child is by building on their successes, no matter how small. 5 - Applicable Life Lessons: As I mentioned earlier, we take a proactive approach to teaching your child the things that are so important in life: Self-Control, Discipline, Concentration. These lessons are verbally taught in every class – and not only that, they are woven into everything we do. To truly own these character qualities, I believe that your child needs to experience them, not just be lectured on them. 6 - Teamwork Between Parents and Instructors: You’ll find that an alliance between you and someone your child “idolizes” (like a Karate Instructor) goes A LONG WAY. We have this cool “secret” method we use to keep your child on the right track, and it REALLY works. 7 - Accomplishment Through Positive Reinforcement: Ever hear that “Feedback is the Breakfast of Champions”? At the heart of teaching is communication, and when we “catch” your child doing something right, we let them know about it. It’s all about positive attention. 8 - The Importance of Staying Fit: It’s crazy how big of a problem childhood obesity is in this country, never mind what happens when that obesity carries on into adulthood. Our classes are physical as well as mental. Your child will break a sweat in every class. 9 - Positive Friendship and Socializing: A lot of my students have told me their best friends have been their karate friends. Beats wondering what kind of kids your children are hanging out with at school, right? And not only that, a lot of their parents have found great friends too. 10 - The Influence of Great Role Models: Kids are going to find role models no matter what. There’s Paris Hilton, there’s Britney Spears, and Reality TV. We’re not exactly dealing with the Cleavers anymore. Martial arts role-models lead a healthy lifestyle by example. Which role models are better for your child? 11 - BECOMING a Great Role Model: This is truly awesome. In martial arts classes, the longer your child trains, the higher their belt color goes. Everyone with a colored belt is required to be a role model for lower-ranked students. This means that your child will become a leader through experience, and understand the importance of setting a good example for others. 12 - A Sense of Challenge: Karate is fun. It’s a lot of fun. But it’s serious too, and that’s perfect. Our program comes equipped with a series of obstacles and hard-won goals. As adults, we know that life doesn’t get easier after childhood, and sometimes it helps knowing that you have what it takes to tough it out and come out on top. 13 - The Motivation of A High Energy Environment: Everything is so fast now. Texting, email, internet, etc. Kids are used to having things “high speed.” In our classes, we keep things moving. There’s no time for boredom when your child is jumping, kicking, spinning, blocking, and punching, and learning. 14 - The Habit of Setting Goals: There was a Harvard study conducted in the 1950s, tracking incoming students and their goals, and then revisiting these same students 20 years later. They found that the 3% who actively kept, wrote down, and revised their goals were financially worth more than the 97% of their classmates who didn’t. Martial Arts is BASED on goals, both short term and long term, with specific action steps in between. Is this something you’d like to see your child learn at a young age? Do you wish you had learned it at a young age? 15 - The Confidence that comes with Self-Defense: There’s a certain attitude that comes with knowing you can handle yourself in almost any situation. Before, I mentioned that bullies have a built in “radar system” for detecting easy targets. When your child has the quiet understanding that he or she can handle whatever most bullies can “dish out”, they no longer show up on that radar and are almost “Bully Repellant.” 16 - A Sense of Accountability: This is cool. Did you know there is a very noticeable difference between Asian and Western school systems? Here in the West, it’s the teacher’s responsibility to make sure their students learn. In Asia, it’s the student’s responsibility. In other words, the teacher will show up to teach, but it’s up to you to learn and understand the material. At America’s Best Defense, we’re right in the middle. We teach and coach each student, but we also leave a certain amount of responsibility on their shoulders, at any age. So not only will your child learn martial arts, they will learn how to proactively learn, and carry this work ethic along with them wherever they go. 17 - The Benefits of Healthy Competition: Don’t misread this: We’re not a Tournament School. Some karate schools want their students to compete in tournaments every weekend. If you’re looking to have your six year old become the next karate star or cage sensation, we’re not the school for you. However, healthy competition is great, and we foster this type of spirit in every class. It’s one of the best ways to help your child perform at his or her best, until they are mature enough to understand that the true competition is with themselves. If you're interested in getting you're child involved with martial arts competition, email me and I'll refer you to a competition school. 18 - The Help of Parent Coaching Seminars: We're really proactive when it comes to teamwork. The best way to help your child succeed is to have a strategic support system to guide them. I hold regular Parent Coaching Seminars to teach parents how to make their karate kid's martial arts experience the best it can be. We cover "The Do's and Don't's of Being a Black Belt Parent," "The Green Belt Blues", and "The Black Belt Success System" as well as many other secrets to keeping your child on track in the Dojo and in life. |
"We looked into many karate schools before we chose America's Best Defense."
Sensei McShane~
"Just a brief note to thank you and your team at ABD for the positive influence you have had in our son's growth and development. Frankie has loved the classes from the minute he stepped onto the mat with Mr. Hesser, almost three years ago! The unique ability of yourself and Mr. Hesser to handle each child with individualized care is amazing. ABD emphasizes respect, confidence, self control, intensity, discipline, commitment, and so many fundamental values. And all instructors reinforce these in lessons every day, in a fun atmosphere. The standards are high, and that high standard is also evident in the student instructors. Many of the student/instructors have the maturity and skill to teach "Little Dragons", Kids BBTC, and/or an adult group with such ease; and it is so satisfying and fun to watch the dynamics between the instructors and students. There are often community demonstrations, ABD / family get togethers, events and Karate camps that make ABD more than just getting "the next belt." There is a great sense of community among the parents, students and instructors and each event brings us closer. Master McShane's involvement with many civic groups is a great example of his leadership. He is always willing to take time to help, whether individual or an entire school. We looked into many karate schools before we chose ABD. We knew from the beginning that Master McShane and Mr. Hesser were and are dedicated to bringing out the best in each student, every day. Thank you!" - Frank & Ellen Lewis, Lisbon "I have seen only positive changes in my daughter."
"Since coming to ABD Norwich a little over a year ago, I have seen only positive changes in my daughter. Karate has brought out her confidence and shown her how much athletic ability she has. There is such a pleasant, positive aura about the whole place. You can feel it as soon as you walk through the front door. ABD promotes a "family" atmosphere. Once you're here, you don't want to leave!" - Michelle Jones Oakdale, Connecticut "It was great when he came to ABD and found his strengths..."
"My wife and I have seen a huge change in our son's self confidence and overall drive. Matt was never really into a lot of sports, so it was great when he came to ABD and found his strengths. ABD not only instills comprehensive physical training, they also instill positive moral values.
My thanks go to the staff of ABD for all their hard work and dedication. Thank you!" - Glenn Collelo Canterbury, Connecticut |
Frequently Asked Questions:
What ages do you take? We start our kids programs at 6 years old. Martial Arts are a “boy thing” right? Do you teach girls? Martial Arts are not just for boys. In fact, girls excel at martial arts, sometimes more than boys. I have quite a few girls in my classes, and they do great. Will martial arts make my kid aggressive? Will he fight a lot? It’s a little counterintuitive, but kids who are very “hands on” or often get into fights usually do so far less after getting involved in martial arts. It’s simple: that aggressive urge is positively channeled in karate class. Whatever they’re trying to prove in the neighborhood or schoolyard is dealt with in the structured environment of our classes. Not to mention, self-control is constantly reinforced in our classes. Is America’s Best Defense a Licensed Martial Arts School? Yes. Our State of Connecticut Health Club License is #HCL.0000754. Many martial arts schools are unlicensed! If this is important to you, make sure you ask at any school you visit. Do you work with ADD/ADHD kids? Definitely. In fact, referrals to my Dojo by school counselors and therapists are huge. Some of our most talented kids are ADD/ADHD. And by the way, we don’t judge it as a disorder here, just a difference. It’s interesting to see how many ADD diagnosed kids are also the most intelligent and gifted. Do you work with children with Autism/Aspergers? Yes, and often. Because martial arts is an individual "sport", it's based on the child, not the group. Kids within the Autism spectrum tend to work well with the structure of martial arts, and given long enough, form strong relationships inside the community of the school. I heard that Karate / Tae Kwon Do / Kung Fu / Kenpo / Judo / Whatever is the best/worst for kids. Is that true? No. I’d go so far as to say that the style doesn’t matter that much – it’s the Instructor that counts, and his or her ability to motivate and communicate with your child. You should never join a dojo just for the style. And you should never, NEVER enroll at a school if you don’t trust or connect with the Instructor. Take your time choosing the right one, even if it's not us! I want my kid to be a Cage Fighter. Will you help me? No. Karate is good for kids getting bullied. But my kid IS the bully. Will karate make him worse? No way. Here are a couple things I’ve learned about bullies over the years and it also applies to “class clowns” and “problem kids": 1) They’re almost always smart. 2) They’re ALWAYS way more sensitive than they seem. 3) They’re usually bored in school because they’re smart, or sensitive to not getting enough attention. 4) They’re usually hurting. 5) Their parents and/or teachers acknowledge their “problems” and “labels” in front of them (something we never do here). 6) I’ve mentioned “Bully Radar.” I have bully radar too. I can sense these kids, but you’ll notice when they get into my school, they’re NOT THE SAME KID as they are elsewhere. That’s because we give them a “new name.” Kids who used to act out usually become “stars” at my school. How much does it cost? We have different options to choose from, but most professional martial arts schools charge between 100 and 200 per month. We find ourselves somewhere in the middle. Is your school right for my child? Honestly, maybe not. Here are a couple reasons you may want to look elsewhere: 1) We’re not a “hobby” school. We’re not here to fill the space between soccer and baseball season. We’re year round, and we’re more involved than a simple after-school activity. 2) We’re not a tournament school. If your ultimate goal is to see your child win tons of trophies and medals and stuff, our priorities probably don’t match. 3) We don’t give belts away. Your child will be held accountable for earning what he or she receives. The higher in rank your child gets, the more demanding the requirements. We’ll help as much as we can, but ultimately your child’s success is up to them. Because your child's education is so important to you, it's critical to make the right decision when looking for a martial arts school. If my school is not the right fit for you, I'll be more than happy to recommend another school in the area. |
Here's what Norwich parents are saying:
"I am very glad we made the decision to bring Douglas there."
"Hi Sensei McShane:
I wanted to share something with you that I noticed about Douglas. This week, Douglas has his first baseball practice of the season. Douglas had some difficulty with baseball last year, particularly with throwing and making the quick decisions during various plays (throwing ball to first, etc.). I was shocked when I watched him play the other night. He threw the ball well, hit well and his reaction time had improved ten fold. His focus was much better (for instance, last year he would become bored out in the field and fidget around, this year he was totally focused on what was going on with the game) and I could see his confidence was much better, too. I attribute a great deal of this improvement to Douglas' Karate classes at ABD. I am very glad we made the decision to bring Douglas there. He really enjoys it and it is obviously affecting him in a very positive way. Since joining ABD and attending the adult classes, I have seen many positive improvements in my life, as well. Douglas and I are very proud to be a part of the ABD family. You and your staff provide training that can be applied to every area of life. Thanks ABD! Joanne L. " "We couldn't ask for more."
December 19, 2005
Dear Mr. Hesser & Mr. McShane Your karate presentation last week at Preston Veterans' Memorial School was superb. You had the complete attention of all three audiences. Your message supports our Respect Every Day program. Your emphasis on following directions, on focus, and on honesty reached all of our students. We couldn't ask for more. The entire school community appreciates your time and effort. Sincerely, D. Harold Goldberg Interim Principal Jeff Tims School Psychologist Chairperson/R.E.D. Committee How Do I Get My Child Started?
Easy. The best thing you can do is fill in your information below. So I can help you better, please tell me as specifically as possible what you’d like your child to accomplish.
If anything I’ve said on this site sounds like your situation, I’d like to hear from you. I want to hear the challenges you might be having, or the goals you have for your child. Within 24 hours, one of my instructors will get in contact with you to set up your free Trial Program. The Quick Start Program is an opportunity for you to see and experience EXACTLY how our instructors work with kids, and how we’ll help your child achieve the goals you have for him or her. Here’s what your child will get in the Quick Start Program:
All of this for $15, with no obligation to continue. First things first; we want to make sure our school is a good fit for you. If it's not, I'll be more than happy to recommend another school in the area that would hopefully meet your needs. Please Be Aware: our classes occasionally fill up. Sometimes we have a waiting list to get into classes. Simply fill in your information below. Under "specific goals", please be as detailed as possible. I’ll get in touch with you soon. NOTE: ABD Norwich is currently accepting students age 6 and up! |
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To get your child involved in our kids karate classes, simply fill in your info below. An ABD Instructor will contact you shortly!
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Charlie McShane
Master Instructor
America's Best Defense LLC
433 West Main St
Norwich, Connecticut 06360
860-889-1818
America's Best Defense LLC
433 West Main St
Norwich, Connecticut 06360
860-889-1818
All material on this site copyright © 2013 America’s Best Defense, LLC.
All rights reserved. Material may not be used or reprinted for any reason
without prior written authorization from America’s Best Defense, LLC.
All rights reserved. Material may not be used or reprinted for any reason
without prior written authorization from America’s Best Defense, LLC.
