Shimeru Judo & Jiu Jitsu Club
Young Kids Development Class in Lake Elsinore (Ages 4–6)
If you're searching for preschool martial arts in Lake Elsinore, jiu jitsu for 4-year-olds near Menifee, or a program that actually develops fundamentals at this age — not just keeps kids busy — Shimeru's Young Kids Development Class is built exactly for that.
Our class is designed for kids ages 4–6 and uses game-based learning to teach the real fundamentals of both jiu jitsu and judo. Behind every game is a deliberate skill: how to fall safely, how to control a position, how to listen and follow directions, how to keep going when something is hard.
Where Lifelong Martial Artists Begin
Most programs for this age group are glorified babysitting — lots of running around, very little real skill development. We take a different approach. Every class blends three pillars: the fundamentals of jiu jitsu, the fundamentals of judo, and a game-based teaching method built around how 4–6 year olds actually learn. The result is kids who arrive at our older program already knowing how to move, how to fall, and how to think on the mat.
Jiu Jitsu Fundamentals
Kids learn the foundational positions of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu through movement and play. We focus on:
- Mount, guard, and side control as shapes and games
- Shrimping, bridging, and base — the building blocks of every grappler
- Staying calm and patient in tough positions
Judo Fundamentals
Judo gives young kids the skills that protect them on and off the mat. We emphasize:
- Ukemi (breakfalls) — learning how to fall safely
- Grip awareness and balance through standing games
- Coordination, posture, and body control
Game-Based Learning
Every drill is a game with a purpose. We teach through play because that's how kids this age actually absorb skill:
- Animal walks (bear crawl, crab walk, frog hop) for movement patterns
- Sumo and king-of-the-hill games for base and balance
- Tag-based games that secretly build grips and posture
By the time a student ages into our 7–13 Kids Jiu Jitsu program, they already have the body awareness, the falling skills, and the listening habits that take other kids months to build.
Built for How 4–6 Year Olds Actually Learn
Most parents who find Shimeru aren't looking for just an activity — they want their young child to develop the foundation that the next decade of growth will be built on. At this age, kids learn through their bodies before they learn through their ears. So that's how we teach.
In a typical 50-minute class, your child will:
- Move through games that build coordination, balance, and body awareness
- Practice falling safely so a slip on the playground stops being scary
- Learn to follow multi-step directions — the same skill that helps in kindergarten
- Take turns, line up, bow in and out, and practice basic mat etiquette
- Build the confidence that comes from doing hard things with their friends
The development at this age isn't shouted — it's stitched into every game. Confidence, focus, emotional regulation, and discipline aren't side effects of training. They are the training.
Why Train Young Kids at Shimeru
A Program Designed for This Age — Not a Watered-Down Kids Class
The Young Kids Development Class isn't a shortened version of our older program. It's been built from the ground up for 4–6 year olds, with curriculum, pacing, and coaching cues chosen specifically for how young kids absorb information and stay engaged.
The Best Training Environment in Lake Elsinore
Shimeru offers the most complete facility for kids martial arts in Lake Elsinore and surrounding areas: nearly 3,000 sq ft of mat space across two training areas, a spring-loaded subfloor for safety and joint protection, and a clean, professional, family-friendly environment. For a 4-year-old learning to fall, that subfloor isn't a luxury — it's the reason they can practice ukemi a hundred times a week without a scraped knee.
Serving Lake Elsinore and Surrounding Communities
We regularly work with families from Lake Elsinore, Menifee, Canyon Hills, Canyon Lake, Wildomar, and Murrieta. Families across our region choose Shimeru because we treat the youngest students with the same intention and seriousness we bring to the older ones — just packaged in a way that makes them want to come back tomorrow.
The Pathway From Young Kids to Lifelong Athlete
Our first goal for every young student is simple: fall in love with martial arts. Everything else follows from that. Kids who love training, train more. Kids who train more, get better. Kids who get better, build confidence that carries far past the mat.
That means the Young Kids Development Class isn't just a class — it's the front door of a long pathway:
- Today (Ages 4–6): game-based fundamentals in jiu jitsu and judo, with a focus on movement, listening, and falling safely.
- Next (Age 7+): students graduate into our Kids Jiu Jitsu and Kids Judo programs — a structured 3-level pathway from beginner to advanced.
- When they're ready: kids can compete at any age in our program. Some students start chasing tournaments early; others never compete. Both paths are real, and both are supported.
If your child ends up loving the sport, you'll be glad they started here. And if they don't, they will still have spent two of the most formative years of their life learning to fall, focus, and finish what they started.
Young Kids Weekly Schedule
Young Kids Development Class (Ages 4–6): Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
Class time: 4:00 PM – 4:50 PM
For our full weekly schedule across all programs, visit the schedule page.
Meet Your Child's Coaches
At Shimeru, your young child trains under credentialed coaches who have built their teaching reputation specifically around getting the best out of young kids — backed by a deep coaching bench that mentors the next generation of instructors.
Sammy Solis — Lead Coach, Young Kids Development
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu brown belt, judo black belt. Five years of teaching experience. Sammy designs and leads the Young Kids program, with a specialty in turning grappling concepts into games that 4–6 year olds genuinely enjoy.
Bree Dooley — Assistant Coach
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu brown belt. Five years of teaching experience. Bree partners with Sammy to keep the class moving, the energy high, and every student supported.
Mentored Future Coaches
Our young kids class doubles as a coach-development pathway. Senior students and assistant coaches in training rotate through the class under Sammy and Bree's mentorship — meaning the student-to-adult ratio is the best in the area, and the energy on the mat reflects it.
Our Coaching Philosophy
Our chief ambition is for every child to grow up in the program self-confident, well-adjusted, and ready to take on a challenging world. When kids have a great time on the mat, they fall in love with the sport — and that love leads to successful outcomes, both in training and in every other part of their lives.
What Families Are Saying
★★★★★
“My husband and two kids have been training at Shimeru since October 2024, and love it. In just a short period of time I've already seen my kids grow in so many ways, especially in confidence and social aspects. Our daughter was incredibly nervous at first — during her trial it took her 40 minutes to step on the mat — and now she is constantly asking to play with the other kids BEFORE class. The space is big, clean, and super welcoming — you'll be welcomed like family right away.”
— Charlene L.
★★★★★
“I looked at several gyms before I made my decision and this one is by far the best Jiu Jitsu place I visited in the Lake Elsinore area. My son loves it here.”
— Nelson F.
★★★★★
“We transferred our daughter from another Jiu Jitsu gym a little over a month ago, and the difference has been night and day — she absolutely loves it here. She's more excited to train, more confident, and genuinely looks forward to every class. Professor Patrick and Coach Sammy are outstanding — great coaches who break things down in a way that really clicks.”
— Christopher C.
Young Kids Development Class Frequently Asked Questions
Is my child too young to really learn anything at this age?
No — in fact, 4–6 is the most fertile window for motor-skill development your child will ever have. The catch is that you can't teach this age the way you teach an older kid. That's exactly why we built a game-based curriculum: every game is engineered to teach a real grappling fundamental (falling safely, base, posture, grips, position). The kids think they're playing. They are. They're also learning the same skills that will carry them through the Kids Jiu Jitsu program and beyond.
Is jiu jitsu and judo safe for a 4-year-old?
Yes. We start every young student with weeks of falling practice (ukemi) before any partner contact — meaning the first skill we build is the one that keeps them safest. We train on professional Dollamur tatami mats with a spring-loaded subfloor specifically designed to protect joints and absorb impact. The class is closely supervised at a coach-to-student ratio that's among the best in the area, and partner work is always age-appropriate.
What if my child is shy, doesn't follow directions yet, or has never done sports before?
That describes most kids who walk in. Our coaches are used to it — the first weeks are about building comfort, not performance. Shy kids usually open up within a few classes once they realize everyone else is figuring it out too. Kids who struggle with following directions get plenty of structured reps in a setting where listening is part of every game, not an afterthought.
How often should my 4–6 year old train?
We recommend 2 classes per week to start. That's enough to build familiarity, consistency, and momentum without overwhelming your child or your family schedule. Some young students train all three days each week, and they progress noticeably faster — but consistency matters more than frequency at this age.
Can my child compete?
Yes — kids can compete at any age within our program. We aren't competition-first for young kids though. Our priority is that they fall in love with martial arts, because that love is what drives every successful long-term student. If your child shows interest in competing, we'll prepare them. If they don't, they'll still get every benefit the sport has to offer.
What does my child need to wear or bring to their first class?
For their free trial week, kids can come in athletic clothing like a t-shirt and shorts or sweatpants — no uniform needed yet. Bring a water bottle, and make sure fingernails and toenails are trimmed short for mat safety. If your child decides to continue after the trial, we'll help you get a properly fitted gi (uniform) before they need it.
When does my child graduate to the older Kids Jiu Jitsu program?
Most students transition into the Kids Jiu Jitsu class around age 7, when they're ready for the structure of our 3-level beginner/intermediate/advanced pathway. The timing isn't strict — some kids are ready a little earlier, others benefit from extra time in the young kids class. Coaches will make a recommendation based on your child's readiness, not just their birthday.
Try a Full Week — Free
The best way to understand the difference is to experience it. We offer a full week free trial, giving your child time to get comfortable on the mat, meet coaches and other students, and experience our program firsthand.
Looking for something different? Shimeru also offers Kids Jiu Jitsu for ages 7–13, Kids Judo, and both Teen & Adult Jiu Jitsu and Teen & Adult Judo programs. View our full class schedule to find the right fit for your family.
A Final Note to Parents
The years from 4 to 6 won't come back. The motor-skill window, the listening habits, the early confidence — they're built or missed in this exact stretch. What sets Shimeru apart isn't just the facility or the coaches: it's the intention behind every game in every class. Your child won't just be entertained here. They'll be developed.
Rules & Tips for Parents
- Always bring your child in a clean uniform and wash it after practice
- Ensure your child's nails are trimmed prior to class
- No temporary hair dyes
- No gum for kids anywhere in the gym
- Ensure your child wears shoes when off the mat, especially in the restroom
- Absolutely NO coaching in any form from parents during class
Please visit the Contact page if you have any further questions. Otherwise, claim your free trial week below and let's get started.
Shimeru Judo & Jiu Jitsu Club · 17600 Collier Ave, Suite A-111, Lake Elsinore, CA 92530 · (951) 400-5456
Interested in Shimeru?
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- The Shimeru Team
