A child does not get a Black belt so to speak. They earn a Jr. Black belt. This is still a black obi (belt) but it is not equivalent to an adult rank. We feel that children are not cognitively ready to learn the more dangerous and realistic aspects of our art. Many of the techniques the adults learn can cause serious bodily injury if done at speed on another person. A child may or may not know when that kind of power is applicable. So, a Jr. black belt is awarded usually after 3-4 years of study. Make no mistake, even with this knowledge they can easily defend themselves. Sensei’s current crop of Jr. black belts are not bullies, but they are not picked on in school either. It is their quiet confidence that makes them non-victims to other malicious children. They are polite, respectful and fit. Two of them have even logged over 20,000 pushups done at home. At the age of 13 they are brought into the adult class. This age has historic precedent in the warrior arts so we honor it. They then will learn what was removed while they were a child and prepare for the first adult black belt of Shodan (1^st degree) when they turn 16.