The children's program at Corvallis Aikikai promotes physical, mental and spiritual growth in a non-competitive setting. Classes are open to children 6 years old and up.

Kids are taught the skills of throwing and falling just like adults. Advancement through ranks does not depend on beating each other. Instead, children are taught to overcome obstacles by improving themselves, by improving their skills. Overcoming self is stressed. And they require partners to do this. This requires cooperation.

During most classes they will pick a partner and work with that person in a throw/fall combination. One child throws and the other falls. Then they switch so that each child gets a chance to try the throw and the fall. This cooperative approach is basic to Aikido, and children learn to refine themselves through this process.