Short answer: A BJJ class for 4 to 6 year olds looks a lot more like organized play than like an adult martial arts class. At One Way Martial Arts in Alexandria, VA, our Tots class (ages 4-6, Mondays and Wednesdays at 5:00 PM) is built on games, animal movements and listening skills, with simple jiu-jitsu positions mixed in and enough coaches on the mat that every child gets attention.
Parents often picture a row of tiny kids in uniforms standing still and following commands. Anyone who has met a 5 year old knows that will not last long. Here is what a Tots class is really like, seen from the parents' side of the mat.
A Tots class from start to finish
Lining up
Class opens with the kids finding a spot on the line, standing tall and greeting the coach. Learning to stop, stand and listen when an adult asks is the first skill of the program, and it takes new children a few weeks.
Animal movements
Bear crawls, crab walks, frog jumps, gorilla steps, shrimping across the mat. To a child these are just fun ways to race. To a coach they are the building blocks of jiu-jitsu: moving your hips, carrying your own weight on hands and feet, balance and coordination.
A technique, in tiny pieces
The technical part is short and simple: how to hold a position on top, how to get up safely from the floor, how to keep a good base so you do not get pushed over. Coaches show it, the kids try it with a partner, and then the class moves on before attention runs out. There are no strikes in BJJ.
Games with a purpose
This is the part they talk about in the car. Tag variations, jumping over and crawling under classmates, balance challenges, games where they must freeze on the coach's signal. Every game is training something: reaction, body control, taking turns, or simply listening while excited, which is hard at this age.
Line up again and high fives
Class closes the same way it started. The routine is the point. Young children relax when they know what comes next.
What 4 to 6 year olds actually learn
- Listening the first time. Following a two- or three-step instruction from someone who is not a parent.
- Body awareness. Rolling, falling safely, balancing, moving backwards and sideways.
- Working with a partner. Being gentle, taking turns, keeping a friend safe.
- Handling small frustrations. Losing a game, waiting in line, trying again.
- Confidence in a group. Speaking up and answering the coach.
Do not expect a 5 year old to come home demonstrating armbars. At this age the jiu-jitsu is the vehicle. The technical detail comes later, in the Kids class (ages 7-10). For a wider look at the benefits, read 7 benefits of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for kids.
Why the number of coaches matters
A class of 4 to 6 year olds cannot be run by one person at the front of the room. Someone is upset, someone has wandered off to look at the wall. Having several coaches on the mat is what keeps the class moving and keeps it safe.
Cecilia B. noticed this and wrote in a Google review: "The ratio of coaches to students on the mat is such that all the kiddos get very personalized attention and instruction." About her son she said: "My almost 5 year old is having the time of his life training at One Way. The coaches are patient and skilled."
Our kids BJJ coaches include Giovanna Amaral and Malachi Edmond, IBJJF European Champion and World Silver Medalist. You can meet them on the our team page.
Is my child ready?
There is no test. A child is usually ready for Tots if they can:
- Separate from you for the length of a class, even if the first minutes are wobbly.
- Follow a simple instruction most of the time.
- Use the bathroom on their own or tell an adult they need to go.
Shy is fine. Energetic is fine. Some children watch from the edge at first and join in later. Coaches expect that.
If your child is younger, we also have a Tumblers class for ages 2-3. Details for every age group are on the kids jiu-jitsu page.
Tips for the first class
- Arrive a little early so your child can see the mat while it is calm.
- Tell them what will happen: "You will play games with the coaches, and I will be right there watching."
- Afterwards, ask what their favorite game was instead of asking what they learned.
Chris P., another Tots parent, put the result this way in a Google review: "My 5 year old loves her instructors and BJJ days are her favorite ones."
Where and when
Tots BJJ runs Mondays and Wednesdays at 5:00 PM at 5416 Eisenhower Ave, right off the Van Dorn Street Metro, with free on-site parking. Days, times and what to bring are all on our Tots BJJ class page. Check the schedule for any changes. Your child starts with a free first class. Come in athletic clothes, and we lend you the gear you need.
Frequently asked questions
What age can kids start BJJ at One Way Martial Arts?
Our Tots BJJ class is for ages 4 to 6 and runs Mondays and Wednesdays at 5:00 PM. There is also a Tumblers class for ages 2 to 3, a Kids class for ages 7 to 10 and a Teens class for ages 11 to 14.
What do 4 to 6 year olds do in a BJJ class?
Mostly games and animal movements such as bear crawls, crab walks and shrimping, plus short, simple jiu-jitsu positions with a partner. The main goals are listening skills, coordination, balance and confidence. There are no strikes.
Is BJJ safe for a 5 year old?
Tots classes are closely supervised, with several coaches on the mat. There are no strikes, and activities are games, movement drills and basic positions. As with any physical activity, bumps can happen, so tell the coach about any health concerns.