Why Kids Are Struggling- And How SKILLZ Helps

Why SKILLZ Works: The Science Behind Making Skill Development Fun and Effective

We’re raising a generation whose vestibular and proprioceptive systems—the parts of the brain that control balance, body awareness, and coordination—often haven’t had the full opportunity to develop.

Step into any preschool or early elementary classroom and you might notice:

• Children who struggle to sit still

• Kids who get hurt more easily during recess

• Students who seem unsure or lost during transitions

What’s behind this shift? A lack of movement opportunities.

From Backyards to Screens: How Childhood Movement Has Changed

Kids of previous generations spent hours climbing trees, riding bikes, balancing on curbs, and playing freely outside. They built coordination, confidence, and focus through unstructured movement.

Today, many children spend more time in car seats, behind screens, or in structured indoor settings. The result:

• Shorter attention spans, because movement fuels focus

• Increased anxiety, since physical play helps regulate the nervous system

• Motor skill delays, from missing key developmental windows

This isn’t about cutting out technology—it’s about ensuring kids get intentional, science-backed movement experiences to support their growth.

How SKILLZ Fills the Gap

At Lincoln Family Martial Arts Academy, we’ve brought the internationally acclaimed SKILLZ program to help children grow physically, intellectually, emotionally, and socially. Our coaches are trained not only in martial arts but in child development and psychology, so we know how to engage today’s kids and why traditional “drill until perfect” approaches often fall short.

Through SKILLZ and Brain SKILLZ, we make learning:

• Fun and engaging with game-based exercises that boost motivation

• Neurologically effective, using movement patterns to strengthen focus and coordination

• Encouraging, with positive reinforcement rooted in emotional intelligence and growth mindset research

Every class becomes a mini brain-building session disguised as play.

Built Around Each Child’s Stage of Development

SKILLZ is designed with childhood development in mind. Our instructors tailor lessons to meet kids exactly where they are, so no child is set up for frustration. Instead, classes nurture growth at each developmental stage, building confidence, focus, and skills one step at a time.

The SKILLZ Advantage for Kids Under 9

The first nine years are critical for brain and body growth. Foundational neural connections for balance, coordination, and self-regulation form during this period. SKILLZ programs—Mini SKILLZ, Early SKILLZ, and Basic SKILLZ—focus on:

• Building core motor skills

• Strengthening attention and self-control

• Encouraging confidence through achievable challenges

• Activating brain growth through purposeful movement and play

When movement is meaningful and learning is fun, kids don’t just keep up—they thrive.

The Bottom Line

It’s not about saying no to screens. It’s about saying yes to growth, skill development, and confidence. At Lincoln Family Martial Arts Academy, SKILLZ equips children with the tools they need to move better, focus longer, and grow stronger—in body, brain, and character. Childhood should be more than sitting still. It should be about moving, learning, and becoming the best version of themselves—one skill at a time.

About Lincoln Family Martial Arts Academy

Lincoln Family Martial Arts Academy has been proudly serving families in the Lincoln community for over a decade. What originally began as a family training together has become a second home for students of all ages.

Founded by Master Wong, a fifth degree black belt and co-founder of the academy, our programs blend tradition, science, and heart. We welcome students as young as 18 months and have trained adults well into their 80s.

Our academy teaches a well-rounded blend of traditional martial arts that help students build character, confidence, leadership, and life skills that stay with them far beyond the mat.

We offer age-specific programs such as Early Tigers for ages 3 to 4, Basic Tigers for ages 5 to 6, and specialized classes for youth, teens, and adults. Every lesson is built on the internationally acclaimed SKILLZ child development curriculum, helping each student grow physically, intellectually, emotionally, and socially.

To learn more or to start two free weeks of training, visit www.LincolnFamilyTaekwondo.com or call (916) 659-8244

Lincoln Family Martial Arts Academy
615 5th Street, Lincoln, CA 95648