Down syndrome boys get kick out of classes

ANDREW GORRIE/The Dominion Post

KICK START: Daniel Howard, 15, at front, of Whitby, and Daniel Wickens, 12, of Upper Hutt, have kicked their way to a belt in karate.

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Only months after joining a karate class for people with Down syndrome, two boys are into their first round of grading.

Daniel Howard, 15, at front, of Whitby, and Daniel Wickens, 12, of Upper Hutt, have kicked their way to a belt in karate.

Daniel Howard gained a blue belt and Daniel Wickens a blue-tip belt, between white belt and blue belt, at the Wellington Seido karate training centre in Thorndon on Saturday.

Instructor Maria Borshevsky said she was so proud to see two of her eight students ranked among other karate students.

"It really showed me that we should never set low expectations and boundaries with these children," she said. Ms Borshevsky, whose daughter has Down syndrome, set up the all-age classes last August after she decided to adapt her teaching style to suit the students' particular learning style.

"Our children learn differently, they are very visual. I try not to talk too much in the lessons, and just show them what to do," she said.

"I decided to do a separate class so they could learn at their own pace, in an environment along with people who understand."

Ms Borshevsky said the children absolutely loved the classes.

- © Fairfax NZ News