rick Sensei's NINJA KIDS DOJO
Kata Based Black Belt Curriculum

(Under Development; Final Structure Pending - with help from Grok X_AI)

Child development:
 • Sensorimotor (birth–2): Sensory exploration, object permanence.
 • Preoperational (2–7): Symbolic play, egocentric thinking, magical elements, 
   rapid language growth—but limited logic (e.g., no conservation).
 • Concrete Operational (7–11/12): Logical thinking about concrete (tangible)
   things; better perspective-taking, classification, cause-effect; less egocentric.
 • Formal Operational (11/12+): Abstract/hypothetical reasoning emerges (politics,
   ethics, "what if" scenarios), though many don't fully reach it until later teens/adulthood.

Levels are skill-based (kyū progression), not age-locked. Parents/instructors determine grouping based on the child's cognitive readiness, maturity, physical ability, and interest. Use Piaget-inspired guidelines (e.g., concrete examples for younger; abstract reflections for older) to adapt topics like human nature/power in World Study or character modules.

Year 1 = Levels 1–2; Year 2 = Level 3; Year 3 = Levels 4–5 (flexible, child-paced).

 • Level 1: 9th & 8th kyū (beginner foundations, introductory exposure)
 • Level 2: 7th & 6th kyū
 • Level 3: 5th & 4th kyū (intermediate, more connections)
 • Level 4: 3rd & 2nd kyū
 • Level 5: 1st kyū & shodan (advanced synthesis, deeper analysis/application)