Trooper hopes to expand youth self-defense class

Thursday, February 17, 2005

By Jean Gallup

The Grand Rapids Press

WAYLAND -- A state police trooper is working to bring a self-defense class to Wayland Union and Martin schools.

Trooper David Mata is community service officer for the eastern half of Allegan County and just one of three certified "RADkids" instructors in Michigan. "Resist Aggression Defensively," or RADkids, teaches self-defense and escape skills to children ages 5 to 12.

Mata said he teaches children how to replace confusion and panic in dangerous situations with confidence. He is teaching the program in St. Therese and Moline Christian schools.

"We use a lot of scenarios, with interactive learning and role playing," he said. "The training is on a child's level.

"In the 'Stranger Danger' lesson, the children first learn to identify who a stranger is, and the tricks they use to lure children."

The program is covered in six one-hour sessions. At Moline Christian, it is part of the physical education program.

"We talk to them at their level," Mata said. "We talk, review, practice. They love the physical stuff -- how to deflect blows. The little ones put their hands up and shout, 'Stay back; you're not my dad.' "

He said he combines the RADkids curriculum with a state police safety program, Teaching, Educating, Mentoring, or TEAM, that he has taught for three years.

Mata said he is working with curriculum directors at Wayland Union and Martin schools to bring the program there this year.