Youngsters learn self-defense
By Norman Miller / News Staff Writer
Wednesday, April 14, 2004

FRAMINGHAM -- When children are approached by a stranger intending to abduct them, youngsters have few options.

     "There's a limit of what they can do," said Hanshi Craig Seavey, of Nick Cerio's Kenpo Karate in Framingham, who taught a half-hour course to more than 50 fifth-graders at Woodrow Wilson Elementary School yesterday.

     "We teach them what to do when there's bigger people who are stronger. I intertwine it with different people they interact with in their life -- people they see on the streets or in the park."

     The half-hour course, called Street Smarts, also includes strategies on dealing with bullies and peer pressure.

     Principal Robin Welch said he believes the program, which was presented to fourth-graders last week, is important for the children.

     "I think, generally, the program is good," said Welch, who went to high school with Seavey. "It's effective in giving students strategies they can use to make sure they are safer. It's nice to see a combination of practical uses for self-defense without causing a lot of injury."

     In the course, Seavey shows the students how they should walk and conduct themselves. He said they should stand sideways to present less of a target and hold one of their hands near their faces as a precaution.

     If someone, a bully or a stranger, gets too close, Seavey told them to say loudly, "Stop. What do you want?" while putting their hands out in front of them.

     "These are strategies to help you deal with when someone tries to make you do something you don't want to do, either with their mouth or their hands," Seavey told the students.

     At one point, Seavey asked if any of the students studied martial arts, and he picked a volunteer who said, 'Yes.' He asked the child, Kevin, if he thought he could handle himself if someone tried to take him. Kevin said he could.

     Seconds later, one of Seavey's instructors walked by Kevin, picked him up and walked away with the helpless child trying to wiggle away.

     "You guys only have a couple of weapons," said Seavey. "You have to use your mind to outsmart them."

     Seavey said a child who has been picked up should go after the softest part of the face -- the eyes. Biting is the next best option, Seavey said.

     Students said they were impressed with the program and felt they learned things that could help them.

     Peter Sanfacon said he studied martial arts and thought he could handle himself. "I never thought about being picked up," he said.

     Fellow student Tacyanne Da Silva said she learned a lot.

     "It was fun the way he taught us and explained it," said Da Silva. "I never thought of that, going for the eyes."

     Framingham Police Officer Kathy McGrath, the school resource officer, said such programs are good for youngsters.

     "Just in case, it's good for them," said McGrath. "It's good for them to learn some techniques."

     Seavey said it is important for students to know a few tactics that might be just enough to give them time to run away.

     "This is simple -- it's about giving them something they can use," said Seavey. "If they walk out of here with one or two things that can help them, that's great."