Established in Scotland in 2009, Little Tiger Cubs is a unique exercise programme designed for pre-school children (three to five years olds). The classes are loosely based around martial arts and offer benefits for children which include developing confidence and life skills to help them thrive at nursery school or in everyday life – as well as being a fun and simple introduction to martial arts.
The progression of participants is celebrated with the award of coloured grading belts at quarterly grading events. Little Tiger Cubs can also work on developing their physical skills such as balance, spatial awareness and agility which are rewarded with certificates. The programme also includes the foundations of martial arts including blocking, punching, dodging and kicking. After the last grading session, the Little Tiger Cubs can move on to the Active Tiger Programme, suitable for children aged five to eight years old.
Badges are given out to reward life skills including Stranger Awareness, Bully Awareness and Healthy Living as part of a life skill programme which offers gentle advice for both parents and children.
The programme supports the Early Years Foundation Stage (England and Northern Ireland), the Curriculum for Excellence (Scotland) as well as the Early Years Foundation Phase (Wales).
Little Tiger Cubs is run out of a head office in Dunblane by directors Peter Harkess, Brian Leckie and Stephen Roonie, with franchises all over the UK. All instructors are DBS checked and given Little Tiger Cubs training.
