Little Dragons: martial arts for ages 3–4
Little Dragons is ZKS Martial Arts’ preschool programme for children aged 3–4. Lessons introduce movement, listening and class routines through short, structured martial arts activities.
Create the parent account, add the student and request a suitable class. Wait for confirmation before attending.
Follow the Help Centre trial-booking steps, check what to bring and read what happens after your trial.
What a Little Dragons lesson involves
Children practise balance and coordination through movement games, animal drills and simple martial arts movements. Listening activities help them respond to an instructor, take turns and learn how to join in with a group. The emphasis is on trying, repeating and enjoying the activity rather than performing complicated techniques.
Activities such as bear crawls turn movement into a game, while “Sensei Says” gives children a playful reason to listen and follow directions. Taking turns and trying again are achievements worth celebrating alongside the martial arts movements.
A typical lesson moves between an active warm-up, instructor-led activities and practice of familiar skills. Tasks give children opportunities to follow directions, wait for a turn and attempt something new. Every child settles at a different pace.
Little Dragons classes last 30 minutes, with a maximum of 10 children. If your child is shy or reluctant to separate, Sensei gently encourages them to stay nearby and join in.
Learning to listen and join in
Taking turns, listening and joining a group are part of the Little Dragons experience. Our activities give children opportunities to practise these skills alongside movement and play.
Stickers, milestones and the next T-shirt
Little Dragons receive a sticker at the end of class to add to their chart. Every 12 lessons, we invite them to show Sensei their chart. Once the section is complete, they show us the chart to receive their next coloured T-shirt.
The colour order is White → Yellow → Orange → Red → Green → Blue. Each completed section gives children a milestone to celebrate.
Choosing the right starting point
Children need to be toilet-trained and out of nappies before joining. Please discuss any questions about readiness with ZKS before booking.
For a three- or four-year-old, a suitable class is one they can join safely and enjoy returning to. Tell ZKS about any support needs before booking. Starting young can offer practice in confidence and coordination, but progress varies and there are no promised developmental outcomes.
When a child is ready for Mini Ninjas, Reception–Year 2, staff advise on the move. Placement follows school stage and individual readiness; do not assume a birthday automatically changes the class. Read moving between programmes.
Have more than one child?
If you have another child who would also like to train, ZKS offers martial arts classes for different age groups.
Explore our other children's programmes and use the timetable to find suitable sessions for your family.
Classes for different age groups may be available at the same venue, although times and availability can vary.
Meet Your Little Dragons Instructors
Meet the instructors and assistants who regularly support our Little Dragons classes.
Aylesbury HQ
Sensei Tim- Sensei Dylan
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Sensei JackProfile coming soon
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Sensei GraceProfile coming soon
Watford
Sensei James-
Sensei SamuelProfile coming soon
Live class timetable
Find a class by venue, day and school year. Class times and availability come from the live ZKS timetable.
Select your chosen class by using the dropdowns below.
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| Venue | Class | Day | Start | Finish | Availability |
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Children’s programmes normally follow school year. Adult sessions for under-18s require an invitation and approval. See which class to choose.
A displayed space is not a confirmed booking. Adaptive suitability is considered individually. Only attend after ZKS confirms your place.
Little Dragons Membership & Fees
For most Little Dragons, one class per week is the ideal starting point. A regular weekly class helps younger children become comfortable with the routine, build confidence and develop at their own pace.
Standard Membership
£35 per month · 1 class per week
Our usual recommendation for children aged 3–4. One weekly class provides a consistent introduction to martial arts without expecting too much of younger children.
Looking for additional classes?
Two- and three-class memberships are available. However, for most Little Dragons, we recommend one weekly class until they progress into our older programmes.
- Premium — £45 per month
2 classes per week - Elite — £55 per month
3 classes per week
Little Dragons Joining Pack — £35 one-off The Little Dragons pack includes a bag, sticker chart, T-shirt and grip socks. Joining-fee details.
Monthly fees are annualised across 12 equal Direct Debit payments, including scheduled holidays. Places depend on suitable class availability.
Membership cancellation requires 30 days’ notice through the Members Area. Read the notice and final-payment terms.
Questions before joining
How long is a class, and how many children attend?
Little Dragons classes last 30 minutes and have a maximum of 10 children. Check the live timetable for your confirmed session’s start and finish times.
What if my child is shy or reluctant to leave me?
Sensei gently encourages children to stay with them and join the activities. Tell us before the trial if your child is worried about separating so we can discuss how to help them settle.
Do parents stay for the lesson?
ZKS classes have a no-spectator rule. Parents and carers may watch the first lesson, but the instructor may decide not to allow this if they feel it is best for the class. Parents and carers do not stay to watch subsequent lessons. Read the spectator policy.
What should my child wear and bring?
For the first lesson, wear jogging bottoms and a T-shirt and bring a water bottle. Training is barefoot unless you wear ZKS MA grip socks. Ordinary socks are not permitted on the mats. Remove jewellery and tie back long hair. Follow your booking confirmation.
Does my child need to be toilet-trained?
Yes. Children need to be toilet-trained and out of nappies before joining Little Dragons.
How does the sticker chart work?
Children receive a sticker at the end of class. Every 12 lessons, we invite them to show their chart. Once the section is complete, they show us the chart to receive the next coloured T-shirt. The order is White, Yellow, Orange, Red, Green and finally Blue.
When will my child move to Mini Ninjas?
Mini Ninjas is for Reception–Year 2. Staff advise on the move based on school stage and individual readiness; a birthday does not automatically change the class. Read the moving-up guide.
What if we miss a class?
Use the temporary class-change guide to request an alternative. Places depend on availability; wait for confirmation before attending.
Still have a question? Visit our Help Centre.
Your next steps
Explore member progression at ZKS, including technical development, leadership and adult training. For current procedures, use the Help Centre.