AMERICAN FORK — They may be small, but these guys can clench their fists really hard and kick a teacher's hand with fierce determination.

They can holler loudly, and they can focus for several minutes at a time.

They have the attitude down and the proper stance, because these 4-year-olds — Connor Massey and Isaac Day — are learning real karate moves in American Fork Recreation's Itty Bitty Karate class from teacher Mary Hicken.

"He's so excited. He has to call Dad right when he gets home to tell him what he did," said Connor's mother, Jennifer Massey. "He asks every day if it's time for his class, and he tries to practice at home."

"He's been interested in karate, so when I saw they had a class for little kids, I went for it," said Allison Day, Isaac Day's mother.

"I think it's helping a little bit with his coordination," Jennifer Massey said. "He really likes the kicks."

Day said the kicks are her son's favorite part, also.

"He likes it when they do the kicks, but he likes to do the meditation, too. I think it's a good outlet for the energy," she said as she watched Isaac spin his arms round and round.

Hicken, who has earned her third-degree black belt, thinks it's a great opportunity for youngsters.

They can master some of the basics — "This hand is protecting our tummy while the other hand is protecting our head" — and find out whether karate is something they enjoy. She's expecting the class to build in numbers as people discover it exists.

The class that started in January is the first Itty Bitty Karate class at American Fork Recreation Center. It will be an ongoing class, so members may join at any time.

Connor and Isaac's class, for 4- and 5-year-olds, is from 10:30-11:15 a.m. every Monday and Wednesday. Three-year-olds come at 11:15.

The classes cost $38 a month, $35 a month for members of the recreation center.

There are also Itty Bitty classes available for basketball, football and ballet and tap.

Program manager Rebecca Dancliffe says the Itty Bitty classes help children build confidence, endurance and strength in the various sports and dance options while having fun doing so.

Call 763-3084 for more information.

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E-mail: haddoc@desnews.com