Tots BJJ in Stratford.
A first taste of the mats for ages 4 to 6, trained in the gi and built entirely around play. Through games, throwing and falling, and lots of encouragement, our youngest students build coordination, balance and confidence while they learn to listen and treat others with respect. No experience needed, and your first class is free.
Book a Free Intro Class →What a Tots BJJ class actually looks like.
Tots classes look a lot like play, and that's on purpose. A class opens with movement games to get the wiggles out, moves into simple skills like rolling, crawling and safe falling, then finishes with a partner game or a bit of gentle grappling that feels like a friendly wrestle. Everything is short, upbeat and broken into small pieces so little ones stay with it.
A coach leads the whole class and keeps the groups small, so no child is ever lost in the shuffle. The goal on day one isn't a perfect technique, it's a child who had fun, listened well and wants to come back.
Is my four-year-old too young, and is it safe?
Four is a great age to start. There's no striking in jiu-jitsu, so nobody is throwing punches or kicks. It's all leverage, movement and control, taught through games on thick padded mats. Falls are soft, and learning to fall safely is one of the very first things we teach.
Every class is coach-led with small groups, so your child gets close attention and clear, simple direction the whole time. The pace and length are built around a young child's attention span, with lots of short activities instead of one long drill. And you're always welcome to stay and watch from the side, so you can see exactly how your child is doing.
What your child will learn.
Tots BJJ is where the journey starts. The skills are simple by design, and every one of them lays the groundwork for the jiu-jitsu they'll learn as they grow.
- Movement games that build coordination, balance and body awareness
- Safe throwing and falling, the foundation of every skill that comes later
- Listening to a coach and following simple directions
- Taking turns and showing respect to a training partner
- Confidence on the mat that carries into everyday life
When Tots BJJ runs.
Tots classes are kept short and run at kid-friendly times, so they fit around naps, school and dinner. The full up-to-date timetable lives on the schedule page.
See the full schedule →What to bring on day one.
Just comfy athletic clothes your child can move in, plus a water bottle. We provide a loaner gi for the free class, so there's nothing to buy before you start. Come with clean feet and trimmed nails, and arrive a few minutes early so a coach can say hi and help your little one settle in. Parents are welcome to stay and watch the whole time.
A first mat in the heart of Stratford.
We're on Downie Street in Stratford, and we're proud to welcome families from across Perth County, St. Marys, Mitchell, Sebringville, Tavistock and Listowel. Free parking on-site makes drop-off and pick-up easy.
Good questions, honest answers.
Not at all. Tots BJJ is built for ages 4 to 6, and the whole class is shaped around how young children learn: short activities, lots of games and plenty of encouragement. Nobody expects your child to know anything on day one.
Yes. There's no striking in jiu-jitsu, only leverage, movement and control. Classes run on thick padded mats, groups are small and coach-led, and one of the first things we teach is how to fall safely.
That's completely normal, and we see it all the time. Coaches introduce games slowly and let a shy child watch and warm up at their own pace. Most kids are joining in before the first class is over, and they build real confidence week by week.
Absolutely. Parents are always welcome to stay and watch from the side. Many little ones feel more comfortable knowing you're nearby, and you'll get to see exactly what your child is learning.
Start on the mat.
One free class. No pressure, no contract, no experience needed. When your child outgrows Tots, the next step is Kids BJJ, and we'll be right there for the whole journey.
Book a Free Intro Class →